The Silly Media and Its Self-Justifying Fascination with Issue Polling

In the weeks before the late December Congressional approval of major tax reform legislation, the media was filled with articles highlighting its benefits for the “rich”.  Benefits for the middle-class were downplayed.

Thus, it was hardly surprising that opinion polls in that period showed widespread opposition to the tax bill because “it favored the rich over the middle class”.  In light of the preceding media coverage, any other result would have been startling.

The fact is that the proposed tax legislation was undergoing changes to attract sufficient support for passage until the very eve of its approval.  So, how could the “public” form an intelligent opinion as to the worthiness of the bill when they didn’t see actually know what was in it?

It is indeed naïve (as noted below) to think that public opinion on policy issues is based on a review of that subject with thought given to both pro and cons.  If it is not, why is the uninformed view of the public worth consideration as to the subject matter?

Of course, popular opinion in our democracy (more formally a representative republic) should matter if it is informed.

Polling that pre-qualifies respondents as to their knowledge of the subject (not a parroted opinion) offers something of value.  But what portion of the public follows current events closely enough to have an intelligent opinion?

Polling, ironically, suggests the number is small.  In reality, relatively few Americans understand how the government operates and constitutional protections.

A poll released last fall by The Annenberg Public Policy Center revealed that more than 70% of the public was unable to name the three branches of the Federal Government.  Fewer than half knew that the Constitution’s First Amendment protects free speech.  And only fifteen percent were aware that it guaranteed religious liberty as well.

So, give general polling results on policy questions the respect they deserve – very little indeed.