Integrity Lite

I have to admit that I am totally flummoxed by the Oklahoman's publication of a post-"fiscal cliff" letter wherein Scott K. Brush of Oklahoma City complains that his his paycheck has shrunk. He writes that he normally takes his sons out for burgers one night a week. However,

being down about the new tax hikes, the ones that President Obama promised wouldn't happen, we stayed home. I made a pizza for them. Not as good, but it turned out OK.

Where do we even start? Perhaps it is best if we simply look at the editorial comment the Oklahoman put after the letter. You read that correctly. The Oklahoman ran this letter where a man complained that Obama raised his taxes-- even though the President promised he wouldn't-- and then saw fit to clarify the situation:

A temporary cut in payroll taxes was not renewed by Congress and reverted to the previous level. Income tax cuts for most taxpayers were not affected.

Holy crap. Here in one sentence, the editors correctly note what actually happened. Actually, they get it half right. Yes, the payroll cuts were temporary. But so were the Bush income tax cuts. In any case, it seems baffling to run a letter like Mr. Brush's when his complaints aren't grounded in reality. Of course, the Oklahoman does that all the time. So then, why now decide to run a slight correction noting that the writer's complaints are off-base?