347. Ap Bias Poll

After reading AP's article re the percent of people wanting to keep the payroll SS tax reduction extension and a few other issues, I examined the AP-GfK methodology to see if I can determine whether an independent developer of the poll was used. Not! The methodology only discussed the randomness of callers, not who actually wrote the questions asked. After working in consulting and on two occasions participating with other consulting specialists re effective surveys versus biased surveys, I did recall how misleading polls can be if the questions were leading, or biased. For example, "Given the fact that an individual with a salary of $50,000 can get $1000 if the extension of the payroll tax cut is continued, do you favor it's extension?" Who would say NO to that? Opposed to, "Given that if you get a payroll tax cut in 2012 and the SS fund is endangered even more because it is funded that much less, which could mean you, and in particular more needy people, will get less when you turn the eligible age for SS, or nothing at all, do you favor an extension of the payroll tax cut?" Now say you? These examples show you how you can get opposite answers. Which is better? I say the one that explains the ramifications of extending it is. Too often the people called, a good 90% in this case, have no idea what the extension is, let alone, the ramifications of it! As always, the developer of the questions can determine the results even before the asking.

With that, I am still adamantly against the extension. It certainly doesn't put any money in my pocket now and doesn't endanger my SS now either (I don't think). I am only looking after the next generations, and specifically those people who will actually have to LIVE ONLY on SS pay. The poor people and those out of work do NOT benefit NOW and certainly later (SS pay) with an extension.

Then, we come to the other issues in the article: "ending the Bush Tax cuts, or adding a surcharge on millionaires." Do you people in the low brackets understand that you will pay NO, i.e., 0%, tax on dividends and long-term gains under the Bush Tax Cuts? Bet you don't! The millionaires don't get that benefit. Instead, you want to end the cuts and PAY 10-15%? Wow, you majority of people who AP says are in favor of ending them are CRAZY! As far as surcharge on millionaires, I already commented on that in previous blogs: I agree, as long as the tax is on PERSONAL income. I would even drop it to those earning more than $150,000. Why? Because if my wife and I can live on LESS THAN $45,000 each year, surely those making $150,000 (deference allows for a hefty mortgage and child rearing)! But, once again, biased questions can determine the results beforehand, and thus MISLEAD, or even worse, INDOCTRINATE those who don't keep up with the news (I would venture 80+% ... just watch Jay Leno's section where he goes out on the street and asks questions). I wouldn't go to the extreme of calling these people stupid, but I would question their involvement or obligation to knowing current events and issues BEFORE opening their moths and voting on anything. This is the biggest fault in a democratic process! I believe the founding fathers anticipated this and that is why America was declared a REPRESENTATIVE democracy. The representatives We the People vote in are supposed to be thou roughly informed AND to keep us thoroughly informed, or even to watch out for our ignorance, and act in the best interest of all people, NOT their comfortable salary and cozy office in Washington D.C. and state. Oh how they have abused their responsibilities. And now we also have to put up with a biased media and polls to mislead us and indoctrinate us even more!

Wake up call people! Time to THINK before you jabber and vote. That doesn't mean you need to agree; but just take some time and think about all the ramifications of an issue. You will need some help I would assume. Yes, you will have to go to the media articles. Read them cautiously with bias in mind. Be skeptical of all of them. Think for yourself!