Pollsters ask stupid questions, but you and I don't have to give stupid answers
Read Michael Kinsley not for his views on the war in Iraq, but for his indictment of opinion-poll democracy:
Dislike of opinion polls is one of the great clichés of American politics, but it’s not clear exactly what people dislike. They dislike politicians who follow the opinion polls, and they dislike politicians who fail to follow the will of the people, as revealed in opinion polls. But the real problem with opinion polls is different: they reinforce the impression that everything is a matter of opinion, and all opinions are equally valid. [Emphasis added.]
Pollsters routinely ask people to express an opinion on matters of fact; on matters unknown or unknowable; and on matters for which the general public is unqualified to express an opinion. Examples:
• “Are most of the insurgents in Iraq under the command of Osama bin Laden?” The answer to that is a matter of fact, not opinion.
• “Will the United States suffer another terrorist attack in the next six months?” How the hell would you and I know?
• “Is the surge in Iraq working?” Since the surge is a military operation, “working” requires a military definition. Many Americans have the expertise to express an informed opinion about whether the surge is “working.” But the general public does not. (And even an expert might say, “I don’t know,” or, “It’s too soon to know.”)
Pollsters may never stop asking inane questions. But you and I can stop answering them.