The way I see it, most of the questions asked in polls assume the people being polled have some knowledge of the subject. From everything I see, I'm afraid that's not true.
Most Americans are painfully ignorant when it comes to national and international issues.
Most Americans don't take (or feel that they don't HAVE) the time to stay informed, which, as we'd say back in the 1970's is a "cop-out". The truth is, most people choose to spend their time on other things. Governments (and ad-min-is-tra-tions too, as GW duh would say it) have to be watched. An ignorant public is vulnerable to "spin", and an informed public should be immune to it.
It's called "civic responsibility" isn't it?
Another responsibility is the press'. To investigate potential corruption, point out when politicians make "false statements".
Well these days, those folks who only take the time to catch the evening news, or one of the "clone shows" (as I call them, because half the time they all have the same topic ), aren't getting the "real" news. Most of the time they're getting regurgitated news at best, and at worst nothing but speculation and rumor.
And why is that? It's because in far too many cases journalists are NOT doing their jobs!
So when you see polls quoted, take a moment to think about the people who answered the poll, and whether they actually are informed enough to be able to answer the question intelligently.
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