I am a longtime reader of The Nation Magazine. Recently, I came across an article by Eric Reinhart in the magazine titled Destroy the Metrics, Destroy the Truth. It details how the Trump Administration’s firings of scientists and statisticians at the CDC and other agencies are really cover for their misdeeds. In the article, Reinhart states that “If you make the truth unknowable, accountability becomes impossible.” Trump’s war on statistics matters for the area.
The head of the bureau of labor statistics (BLS) was fired in August. The BLS has not released a monthly jobs report since September at 4.3%. Pennsylvania’s most recent estimate is at 4.0% for August. The most recent consumer price index (a measure of inflation) came out on Oct 22 and is currently at 3.0%. The video above shows an FDA employee speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Reinhart states that “…metrics are never neutral. Every statistic, including mortality rates, overdose deaths, unemployment and homelessness figures, reflects political choices about what, how, and whom to count.” It is critical that the process of tabulating these statistics be independent of political pressure. They help political leaders make sound policy decisions and allow journalists and citizens to check their claims.
On this site I use government statistics to enlighten you all about meaningful social patterns in the Alleghenies. Sites like County Health Rankings put most of these government statistics in a place that is easy to access and analyze. They report that they have lost their primary funder, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. I put a call into them to see if they will be able to continue their project.
Cambria County did provide timely election data on the mayor’s race in Johnstown. It is my hope that data will be made available from all levels of government to continue our work. Reinhart provides many examples of how totalitarian states either manipulate, falsify or omit statistics to bolster their narratives. This is why Trump’s war on statistics matters.
Allegheny Independent Media is now affiliated with Nonprofit Partners. It is a subsidiary of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. Thru the site you can donate to the website. It is essential to allow us to provide coverage to the critical issues facing the Alleghenies. You may donate to our site here.
**Update**
I received a response from County Health Rankings. They said that they are seeking new sources of funding. Also they said that instead of doing an annual release they update their data as they become available.