Earlier today, I wrote that it's important for journalists to actually apply some critical thought to their work rather than simply regurgitating Republican talking points.

Right on cue, here's Marc Ambinder (emphasis added):

Here's a peek at the major planks in the economic recovery plan being introduced by House Republicans tomorrow.

It starts with a permanent five percentage point reduction for those who qualify for the 10% and 15% tax brackets, averaging about $500 per year for the poorest of the bunch and $1,200 for the slightly more wealthy.

The talking point here is that poorer Americans would see more money from the GOP plan than from Obama's -- and it would be permanent.

Well, of course that's the “talking point.” Who the hell cares? Is it true? Marc Ambinder doesn't say. He doesn't even acknowledge that it might be an interesting question. The concept of which plan actually gives “poorer Americans” “more money” is literally nowhere to be found in his post.

There are people for whom “distributing Republican talking points” is part of their job description. They are called “deputy press secretaries,” and they work at the RNC and in Republican congressional offices. Reporters for The Atlantic ought to behave a bit differently.

(Is it true? I don't know -- but it seems unlikely. The GOP plan, as Ambinder describes it, would do nothing for the many Americans who work hard and pay state, local, sales, and FICA taxes -- but who do not make enough money to pay federal income taxes.)