Poll Distortion

The election season is filled with political posturing, predictions of catastrophe, slippery answers and sound bites. The partisans defend and interpret their candidate’s misstatements, twist their opponent’s words and bellyache about the media coverage.

Everyday we are barraged with poll results by news anchors and political pundits dissecting the latest tidbits. These opinion snapshots are treated as text from the Bible. The media types take it upon themselves to explain to those of lesser gods the true implications of the results.

Near universally, the media acquaints the public with the historical accuracy and trustworthiness of the pollster prior to embarking on what the statistics mean. Most of the poll questions are straight forward—but not the choices.

And in most cases it’s the choices that skew the results and mislead the public into believing the poll data should be taken seriously.

Answer this question: Would you rather have your tax dollars spent on Iraq or used to repair the nation’s infrastructure? Most Americans would choose the infrastructure. But it’s a false choice because the question ignores the ramifications of the terrorist threat.

Answer this question: Do you believe that everyone in the country should have access to affordable, quality healthcare? Again, most Americans would answer yes. But it’s a false choice because the question ignores the ramifications of the annual trillion dollar price tag.

Answer this question: Do you believe illegal aliens should be treated compassionately? The question implies that the alternative is beating them unmercifully and throwing them back over the fence. Again, it’s a false choice.

Answer this question: Do you believe job security is important? This question would be answered with a resounding yes by most Americans. But it’s a false choice because it implies that there are multiple alternatives to letting private enterprise determine its needs.

Answer this question: Do you believe protecting the quality of the environment is more important than the cost of reducing pollution? Few people would vote for polluted land, water and air. But it’s a false choice because it neglects the impact on the cost of goods and services, family energy costs, employment and US energy independence.

Most polls do a disservice to the country. They categorize people and place them in opposing camps. They create bitterness and dissention where there is little. Polls are misleading because they ignore the complexity of the solutions.

There are no simple answers to the challenges facing the nation. So why are polls so popular?

Polls manufacture and inflate the discord, and offer a handy excuse for our representatives to point their fingers across the aisle. It’s always easier to kick the problems down the road. Polls grant cover to the “Solution Free Zone” we call Congress. And the media thrives on conflict.

So expect a steady diet of polls and the dissension they create.