8.+Fact+Check!

=FACT CHECK = = =  In Obama's "Plan for Change" ad he states that 600,000 jobs have been lost since January 2008. Various sources say slightly smaller numbers regarding net job loss. According to the __Los Angeles Times__, at the time that this ad was recorded, 601,000 jobs had been lost since January. The claim that America has been experiencing record breaking job losses throughout the duration of this year is completely true. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate of Americans has gone up to 6.1 percent and is continuing to rise. The BLS also says that American job losses have amounted to 592,000 in August. The job loss count has increased by 159,000 in September alone, raising the overall number to 760,000. > 
 * **Huge number of job losses**
 * **Accurate count**
 * **September is worst month for job losses in 5 years**

Another potential fact presented in the "Plan for Change" ad is that Wall Street has been experiencing a lot of difficulties in the past couple of weeks. This is a completely accurate statement with the Stock Market crashing and banks closing this statement provides legitimate support for Senator Obama's ad and his opinion that the current Washington is doing a poor job at managing the economy. > 
 * **Difficulties on Wall Street are a reality**
 * **Poor government control of economy**

The idea is put into the viewers mind that house values are falling. This claim is completely accurate and almost undermines the harsh reality of the actual situation. According to economic experts, home values are decreasing quicker than in the time of the Great Depression. There is an enormous amount of unsold homes which will cause the decreasing of real estate values to continue on into the future and keep going down before it finally recovers. This fact is accurate but is somewhat underplayed and merely used as a small detail in order to support the idea that the Washington economy must be reformed. >
 * **Falling house values**
 * **Underplayed use of this fact**

 The claim that American pay checks are flat is another accurate claim in this ad. Paychecks being flat means that no raises are being given, and that as prices go up paychecks are staying the same which produces a problem for American consumers, specifically in the middle class. Sources say that the American job market is experiencing a country wide pay cut. These facts directly verify Barack Obama's claim that American pay checks are flat. >
 * **Few raises in American jobs**
 * **Nation wide pay cuts**

 A fifth claim brought forth by this campaign ad is that credit card rates are being raised. This claim is accurate because we are currently experiencing a huge credit crisis in America. Various reliable sources have verified this claim. Credit card companies such as Capital One and Bank of America are all raising interest rates, possibly up to 28 percent according to ABC News. These same companies and others are charging people for everything possible, annual payments and also hourly late fees. The main reason for this increase in credit card rates is that banks are trying to make up for mortgage losses. > >
 * **Banks charging for everything**
 * **Raising up to 28 percent**

 A final claim made by Senator Obama is that health insurance covers less. This vague claim, while mostly accurate isn't completely true because more information is needed. It is true that health care is covering less and less people. Also, certain aspects of medical treatments are not being covered. Clearly there are many subtopics under the umbrella of health insurance covering less, therefore this claim is mostly accurate but not very effective. >
 * **Health Insurance covers less people**
 * **A vague claim**

