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Posted by: Spadecaller 1 year, 4 months ago

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Spadecaller1 year, 4 months ago

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Thanks Mdiar.
Polls like this are skewed. The questions lead respondents to the results that are being sought. The article, while having the appearance of objectivity, is bias towards John McCain and the GOP.
If the question were also posed,"Do Americans support Bush's tax breaks for the rich only?" a different outcome would be produced.
Like statistics, polls have become tools to spin and manipulate voters.
The one advantage that Roosevelt had during the Great Depression was that there were no pollsters and spin doctors flooding the media with propganda around the clock.

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  Mdiar1 year, 4 months ago
  
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  Which is why I was wondering what the outcome would be on specifics. I personally believe most Americans are moderate right economically, much like most of Europe. In fact a separate poll on that very question you posed is here:
  http://www.gallup.com/poll/106813/Many-American...
  
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    Spadecaller1 year, 4 months ago
    
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    In the real world, when you add the names to the economic proposals, the answers change. Remember, Bush is by far the most unpopular president in our nation's history. Do you think the question elicits a different answer when it is presented this way: "Do you support Bush's tax breaks for the richest segment of our nation only?"
    In the real world, the question comes in the context of campaigns, campaign lies, and candidate's promises. The voters answer at the polls -- not to Gallup.
    
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      Mdiar1 year, 4 months ago
      
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      I agree regarding the phrasing of the questions; I do think this poll shows on thing that is rather good though. With a tiny minority within the Democratic party favoring wealth redistribution, it should be fairly clear that the Dems aren't socialists or communists! Also that the US need not fear a massive communistic revolution in the near future... though that's not very likely :D
      
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        Spadecaller1 year, 4 months ago
        
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        It figures it's libsRfunny negging away. That's like the good housekeeping seal of approval.
        
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        willottica1 year, 4 months ago
        
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        options:
        "take steps to distribute wealth more evenly"
        vs.
        "take steps to improve overall economic conditions and the job situation"
        This is a pretty slanted choice. One is robin-hood: steal the money of the rich and give hand-outs (which isn't an accurate representation of taxation of new income). The other is almost impossible to disagree with. Re-distributed wealth might actually be part of the overall economic conditions improvement according to some respondents.
        Essentially, the question that this poll answers is: "Do you think wealth redistribution is all that should be done to fix the economy?" Of course, it's not worded that way, but that's the effect if you actually stop to analyze it (most won't).
        
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  cptnkrk1 year, 4 months ago
  
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  I agree most polls use slanted wording to get the results desired by the pollster.
  "Do Americans support Bush's tax breaks for the rich only?" would be a good example of that.
  these responses couldn't be more neutral
  Which approach should government focus on to fix economy Either a> take steps to distribute wealth more evenly among americans --or-- take steps to improve overall economic conditions and the jobs situation.
  
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    miklkit1 year, 4 months ago
    
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    Which approach should government focus on to fix economy Either a> take steps to distribute wealth more evenly among americans --or-- take steps to improve overall economic conditions and the jobs situation.
    I see that as saying the same thing two different ways. The only question is how to do it.
    
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      cptnkrk1 year, 4 months ago
      
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      Those are the options in the poll.
      And they are quite different. Should I take from one person and give to another? or should I try to improve the business climate to make wealth creation easier.
      
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        willottica1 year, 4 months ago
        
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        yeah, one is "here is an idea, do you think it's all that should be done"? and the other is "do you think a comprehensive, well-rounded approach is necessary"
        Who wouldn't go for the comprehensive, well-rounded approach?
        
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