Fox & Friends distorts news on Social Security benefits to suggest "Washington waging a war against seniors"

SUMMARY: On Fox News, Steve Doocy asked whether the fact that "for the first time since 1975, there will be no COLA -- no cost-of-living increase -- for Social Security recipients" indicated that "Washington [is] waging a war against seniors," continuing Fox & Friends' pattern of repeatedly fearmongering about how health care reform will harm senior citizens. In fact, the Social Security Administration has used the same formula to index benefits to inflation since the 1970s, and although 2009 reportedly marks the first time the formula will translate into no cost-of-living increase, the Obama administration is urging Congress to provide seniors with tax rebates that are equal to a cost-of-living adjustment, as the hosts of Fox & Friends themselves reported.

Comments