# Losing Faith in the American People **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 24, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942 "2003-06-24T04:04:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/41 "2003-06-25T14:06:46Z")
I wouldn’t take this poll too seriously. I think perhaps this can be explained by taking into account that 10% of people anywhere are complete idiots, and that the remainder are probably partisan Bush supporters on the defensive. Bush is under attack for not finding WMD even though that is his justification for the war, a pollster calls and asked if Iraq used WMDs against US troops. Partisan Bush supporter replies “yes” even though he knows it’s wrong, but justifies it to himself with “well, it’s possible”. Hell, you’d see the same results a few years ago if you had asked “Did Bill Clinton not get a blowjob from Monica?” The partisans would ignore the truth and advance their agenda with a false answer. These people know damn well they are wrong. It’s not a question of ignorace, it’s a question of decieving a stranger on the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/42 "2003-06-25T14:39:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wake up call \* > **I’d hate to see it happen, but one more 9/11 and you’ll see how “most people” will start caring about what is the root cause of the tragedy.** The problem is that the ‘experts’ can’t agree on what the root cause of the issues are. People get tired of the endless debate and tune out. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/43 "2003-06-25T14:52:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doghouse Reilly \* > \*\*As opposed to the 170,000 that folks like you were oh so _certain_ had been looted? Sorry that I didn’t have the exact number on hand, but that’s a still reduction of over 96%, bud. > > Sorry, but my original point stands: _anyone_ who claims that they know just exactly what happened on the ground at this stage, and belittles others for holding contrary beliefs, is the one who’s an idiot. \*\* really? so we were bad 'cause the 170,000 turns out to be 6000 (and counting), but ‘your original point stands’ (which was “dozens” vs. the 6000 and counting that was actual)? ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Neck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Read\_Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Neck)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/44 "2003-06-25T15:26:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Uzi \* > \*\*The problem is that the ‘experts’ can’t agree on what the root cause of the issues are. People get tired of the endless debate and tune out. \*\* If there’s another 9/11 or two? There’s a better than even chance portions,if not all, of this planet will glow in the dark for a thousand years or so. Joe Sixpack may be ignorant of current events but wake him up and see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/45 "2003-06-25T21:26:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by refusal \* > \*\*If you asked 1000 people if they thought badgers were conspiring to dye the world’s chocolate plantations blue, at least 25% would probably say yes. Maybe they don’t understand or can’t remember the question, weren’t paying attention, can’t enunciate clearly or tick the right box, or deliberately give false answers to tease the pollsters. All this survey proves is that opinion polls are a load of bollocks. \*\* Smartest post in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Bernard\_Marx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@Bernard\_Marx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bernard_Marx)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2003, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/46 "2003-06-26T11:44:30Z")
I’ve never really had much faith in opinion polls since seeing this exchange on [Yes Prime Minister](http://www.yes-minister.com) (series 1, _The Grand Design_) > [@](#): > > **Sir Humphrey:** “You know what happens: nice young lady comes up to you. Obviously you want to create a good impression, you don’t want to look a fool, do you? So she starts asking you some questions: Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the number of young people without jobs?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Are you worried about the rise in crime among teenagers?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Do you think there is a lack of discipline in our Comprehensive schools?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Do you think young people welcome some authority and leadership in their lives?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Do you think they respond to a challenge?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Would you be in favour of reintroducing National Service?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Oh…well, I suppose I might be.” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Yes or no?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Of course you would, Bernard. After all you told you can’t say no to that. So they don’t mention the first five questions and they publish the last one.” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Is that really what they do?” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Well, not the reputable ones no, but there aren’t many of those. So alternatively the young lady can get the opposite result.” > **Bernard Woolley:** “How?” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Mr. Woolley, are you worried about the danger of war?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Are you worried about the growth of armaments?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Do you think there is a danger in giving young people guns and teaching them how to kill?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Do you think it is wrong to force people to take up arms against their will?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “Would you oppose the reintroduction of National Service?” > **Bernard Woolley:** “Yes” > **Sir Humphrey:** “There you are, you see Bernard. The perfect balanced sample.” ---
**Author:** ![Planet\_of\_the\_Shapes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Planet\_of\_the\_Shapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Planet_of_the_Shapes)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/47 "2003-06-26T13:56:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zuma \* > \*\*I wouldn’t take this poll too seriously. I think perhaps this can be explained by taking into account that 10% of people anywhere are complete idiots, and that the remainder are probably partisan Bush supporters on the defensive. > > Bush is under attack for not finding WMD even though that is his justification for the war, a pollster calls and asked if Iraq used WMDs against US troops. Partisan Bush supporter replies “yes” even though he knows it’s wrong, but justifies it to himself with “well, it’s possible”. > > Hell, you’d see the same results a few years ago if you had asked “Did Bill Clinton not get a blowjob from Monica?” The partisans would ignore the truth and advance their agenda with a false answer. > > These people know damn well they are wrong. It’s not a question of ignorace, it’s a question of decieving a stranger on the phone. \*\* Is your line of reasoning that these partisan supporters would be doing this so that the Bush administration can look at the poll results as favourable? I find it hard to believe that a large segment of the population could be so pro Bush that it would motivate them to do that. There really isn’t much benefit to Bush by lieing in these polls. ---
**Author:** ![ForgingAnchors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5e925/32.png) [@ForgingAnchors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForgingAnchors)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/48 "2003-07-19T01:17:28Z")
Originally posted by Lissa Wasn’t it Plato who said that a people gets the government which it deserves? to quote the Onion (America’s Finest News Source) “They say that people get the government they deserve, but i dont remember knife-raping any retarded nuns” Regrets to those who take offence, but an appropriate quote for a time when though 70% of people in the states love George Bush and his government, the other 30% is generally scared and hateful towards his administration. peace, josh ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/49 "2003-07-19T02:42:25Z")
Half of the American people never read a newspaper, and half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half. - Gore Vidal ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/50 "2003-07-19T06:41:31Z")
The puppets, lemmings and sheep that inhabit our country sit around watching US news shows all day and swallow it down as fact. I don’t care if it’s on the news, in a newspaper or on a cite, you need a fine mesh screen to sift the fact from the propaganda in US news reporting. When I want to know what is really going on in the world outside of the US, I ask one of my immigrant friends. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/51 "2003-07-19T06:46:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wake up call \* > \*\*I’d hate to see it happen, but one more 9/11 and you’ll see how “most people” will start caring about what is the root cause of the tragedy. Eventually, people will realize how, in the long run, the impact of the US foreign policy comes back and haunt them at home. > \*\* I disagree with this. I think that additional 9/11-style attacks are only going to cause Americans in general to become more insular, more xenophobic, and more willing to hand over their rights and freedoms in exchange for platitudes of safety and a few acts of blindly lashing out in ‘retaliation’. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/52 "2003-07-19T06:59:51Z")
… and the poor sonsabitches over there fighting for us getting picked off like rubber ducks in a shooting gallery. While the rest of the world thumbs its collective nose saying “I told you so”. To quote Stan Laurel: “That’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into Ollie”. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/53 "2003-07-21T03:53:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doghouse Reilly \* > \*\*Here’s the wording of the question: > “Based on what you know or have heard, do you believe that Iraq did or did not use chemical or biological weapons against U.S. troops during the war earlier this year?” > > What’s wrong with “believing” that this might have been the case? If I believed that the Pentagon has been covering up some kind of “Gulf War syndrome” from the 1991 conflict, I might also tend to believe that history might have repeated itself. > > Given Bush’s continued 68% approval rating, are leftist Democrats starting to despair of the very concept of democracy? \*\* Let me get this straight. Bush is under heavy fire from doubters who don’t believe Saddam had or was preparing to use WMD, but you think he would _cover up_ the use of WMD against US troops, even though that would provide a magic bullet against all those doubters? Let me guess. All reports of facts that support your worldview are true. All reports of facts that don’t support your worldview are false. All facts that would support your worldview of which there are no reports have been “covered up”. Fair summary? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/54 "2003-07-21T04:02:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zuma \* > \*\*I wouldn’t take this poll too seriously. I think perhaps this can be explained by taking into account that 10% of people anywhere are complete idiots, and that the remainder are probably partisan Bush supporters on the defensive. > > Bush is under attack for not finding WMD even though that is his justification for the war, a pollster calls and asked if Iraq used WMDs against US troops. Partisan Bush supporter replies “yes” even though he knows it’s wrong, but justifies it to himself with “well, it’s possible”. > > Hell, you’d see the same results a few years ago if you had asked “Did Bill Clinton not get a blowjob from Monica?” The partisans would ignore the truth and advance their agenda with a false answer. > > These people know damn well they are wrong. It’s not a question of ignorace, it’s a question of decieving a stranger on the phone. \*\* Oh I see. Now I feel much better. Here I was worrying that the US is a democracy in which 25% of people are so ignorant they have crucial facts totally wrong. But now you comfort me by assuring me that those 25% are just idiots or people who would rather delude themselves than admit to a fact that does not support their prejudices. Well. Now I feel _much_ better. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/55 "2003-08-13T21:52:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Weirddave \* > \*\***AHHHHHH!!! > CHICKENS OF MASS DESTRUCTION!!!** \*\* They made fun of the cavalry charge. They made fun of the musket. They made fun of the longbow. But sweet Jesus, don’t you go making fun of the rubber chickens! If the Pentagon doesn’t change its stance vis-a-vis latex poultry in the next 15 years, the United States will find itself on the losing end of the new arms race. I call for a new Manhattan Project! America’s finest minds MUST find the secret of the rubber chicken; if one side has the chicken, the other must too! ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/56 "2003-08-14T14:04:52Z")
The scariest aspect: Love or hate Bush, you must admit that the public’s ignorance in this case SERVES HIS PURPOSE. Ignorance is bad enough, but when it only benefits the administration, we are in a…can you say…pickle? ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942/57 "2003-08-14T15:28:28Z")
> [@](#): > > As opposed to the 170,000 that folks like you were oh so _certain_ had been looted? Sorry that I didn’t have the exact number on hand, but that’s a still reduction of over 96%, bud. “Early 9/11 casualty estimates went as high as 50,000. Eventually it was determined to be under 3,000 … sorry I don’t have the exact number on hand, but that’s still a reduction of over 94%, bud! … You and your precious liberal media!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-faith-in-the-american-people/183942.md?page=2)