In Economic Facts and Fallacies Thomas Sowell examines common economic statistical flaws that are exploited for political purposes. The difference in income between blacks and whites is one.

First the difference must account for the difference in age. The median age of American blacks is five years younger than the American population as a whole. The median age is 43 for Japanese Americans and only 24 for those of Cambodian ancestry. Since older workers are more experienced and thus paid more, the statistics must adjust for this.

Secondly it must adjust for education. A black American with similar education has little difference in income. “As far back as 1980, college educated black married couples earned slightly more than white college educated married couple.”

Thirdly if the statistics used are ‘household’ statistics then it must adjust for the number of workers in the home and if they are year round or part time employees.

There are other explanations but these educate how statistics can be misused. A conclusion is reached and then the data is selected that confirms it; conflicting data is ignored. It is assumed that if blacks earn less than whites then it must be discrimination. However if whites earn less than Asians, no one assumes whites are being discriminated against.

Sadly our candidates propose hugely expensive solutions to problems that have little provable statistical basis.

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