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GOP Congressman gets an "F" in math

When debating, especially with far-right Republicans, I tend to resort to numbers, (consistent) studies, fact-checkers, and yes, even logic. I don't form an opinion simply based on things I heard from my parents growing up, what friends of mine believe, or what partisan sources constantly spout at me. In my view, my opinion is nothing without solid evidence to support it, and it's through a great deal of reading and research (and experience) I've come to form the opinions I have today. But, while I appreciate when someone on the polar opposite side of the political spectrum approaches me with numbers, appearing to have done some research themselves, just because a person uses numbers to support an argument doesn't mean those numbers are valid.

Take Maryland Congressman Andy Harris, for instance. The Republican congressman recently attempted to block the Washington, D.C. marijuana decriminalization law by making some rather preposterous claims, saying African-American unemployment in the area is 40%, while the high school graduation rate of that demographic is just 12%. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint Congressman Harris, but according to the Economic Policy Institute, African-American unemployment in D.C. was 13.6% in November, and according to the National Center for Education Statistics, their high school graduation rate is near 60%. Let's look at those numbers again...

Congressman Andy Harris' claim: 40% unemployment for African-Americans

Reality: 13.6% unemployment

Difference: 26.4%


Congressman Andy Harris' claim: 12% high school graduation rate for African-Americans

Reality: 60% high school graduation rate

Difference: 48%


Yeah, with those kinds of numbers, expect Congressman Andy Harris to make the following claims in the future:

- "Look, only 49% of climatologists believe in global warming, okay?!?" (as opposed to 97%)

- "To get an 'A' in a college class, all you need is a 64%. It's that easy, people!!" (as opposed to 90%)

- "There's a 100% chance I'm spewing crap when uttering any kind of numbers!"

Okay, so that last one might be accurate...

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/gop-congressman-uses-bogus-stats-about-d-c-black-residents-in-anti-marijuana-rant/
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