How often does Congress tell the truth?

**Marshal Murat** · 09-06-2006, 21:47

http://pewresearch.org/obdeck/?ObDeckID=59

Two Political Scientist
Three bills
One Result!

**Lemur** · 09-06-2006, 22:58

The surprising thing is that they conclude Congressmen are telling the truth 25% of the time. I wouldn't have pegged it that high.

It isn't hard to see why Republicans are scoring worse -- they're the party in power, and have been functioning with less accountability. I'm sure the numbers would be equivalent if the Democrats had a lock on all three branches of government.

**Xiahou** · 09-07-2006, 02:07

Members of Congress tell the truth -- the whole truth -- only about a quarter of the time when debating major legislation on the floor of the House and Senate

Ooohh, the whole truth? Ok then 25% sounds about right. Usually many statements are based on a shred of truth, then its spun out of control. Id be interested to see how often it's intentional distortion vs gross incompetence..... my guess? About an even split.

**Mooks** · 09-13-2006, 03:53

Check out the article below it. I hardly call this site trustworthy

Tall and Smart
Researchers have known for decades that taller people earn more and have better jobs. Some researchers said it was because tall people had more self esteem. Others said taller individuals physically and psychologically dominated their shorter colleagues. Still others said it was height discrimination.

Two economists have a simpler explanation: "Taller people earn more because they are smarter," claim Anne Case and Christina Paxson of Princeton University. "As early as age 3 -- before schooling has had a chance to play a role -- and throughout childhood, taller children perform significantly better on cognitive tests."

"For both men and women, an increase in height of four inches is associated with an earnings premium of approximately 10 percent," they report in a new working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. "An American man who is 6 feet 2 inches tall is 3 percentage points more likely to be an executive and 2 percentage points more likely to be a professional than is a man who stands 5 feet 10."

They based their claims on an analysis of four data sets from the United States and the United Kingdom.

bwahhahaha

**Ice** · 09-13-2006, 04:12

Originally Posted by holybandit

Check out the article below it. I hardly call this site trustworthy

Tall and Smart
Researchers have known for decades that taller people earn more and have better jobs. Some researchers said it was because tall people had more self esteem. Others said taller individuals physically and psychologically dominated their shorter colleagues. Still others said it was height discrimination.

Two economists have a simpler explanation: "Taller people earn more because they are smarter," claim Anne Case and Christina Paxson of Princeton University. "As early as age 3 -- before schooling has had a chance to play a role -- and throughout childhood, taller children perform significantly better on cognitive tests."

"For both men and women, an increase in height of four inches is associated with an earnings premium of approximately 10 percent," they report in a new working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. "An American man who is 6 feet 2 inches tall is 3 percentage points more likely to be an executive and 2 percentage points more likely to be a professional than is a man who stands 5 feet 10."

They based their claims on an analysis of four data sets from the United States and the United Kingdom.

bwahhahaha

That's actually really funny. Statistically I should be stupid and the mouth breating football player I went to high school with are suppose to be much smarter than me. ha.

**doc_bean** · 09-13-2006, 08:36

Most of the incredibly smart people I know are pretty short. Tall people just have more authority, it's instinct

**Peasant Phill** · 09-13-2006, 09:30

It is known that people who are prettier or more handsome get more chances in life. Isn't it possible that height is just a criterium for beauty? (I doubt it but still I wonder)

**macsen rufus** · 09-13-2006, 13:07

Hey -- I wanna pay rise! I'm 6 foot!

**Hepcat** · 09-13-2006, 13:17

I can't say I am surprised at the 25% telling the truth. I NEVER trust polititions, especially when they are certain of something because usually the oposition will claim to be certain of the exact opposite.

**ajaxfetish** · 09-13-2006, 21:31

I saw a scientific study of dating awhile back on Public Television, and one of their conclusions was that tallness was the #1 factor for women being attracted to men. (Waist to Hip ratio was #1 for men being attracted to women) I think it could be considered a criterion for beauty, at least in men. Intelligence doesn't stack up to my experience, though.

Ajax

**L`zard** · 09-14-2006, 09:10

Originally Posted by Hepcat

I NEVER trust polititions, .

Man, I don't even trust the partitions on my hard-drive, why should I trust someone who want's money from me?

The 'fact' that there are even studies about physical appearance affecting probabilities simply makes me want someone like Lemur for President!

The two-party system in the US is totally dead as 'representitive'.

Try looking up the words:

Republic, Democracy, Oligarchy, and have a good laugh, eh!