political polls seem disingenuous

i just got called from some national polling place, very professional caller, wanting my opinions as to issues, such as the economy, state of our country, unions, house bills...etc...

i did not know about all the issues and he STILL wanted me to given an opinion. i said i don't know anything about that so how can i give you an opinion, he said just tell me if you favor it or don't favor it, strongly, somewhat...since it was my first poll i wanted to see it through so i just guessed on probably 20% of the issues, mostly labor union issues as i am not in a union but still had to give my opinion as if i were in a union. loaded questions mostly and i dare say that polls can be very misleading.

 

Wow.... An honest to God, live person who has participated in one of these polls.... that I can say I "know".... (sorta)

Interesting "take" on this, and greatly appreciated. Coincidentally, I've been engaged in a discussion re. national polls vs. online polls and how well they represent the views of the public.

You mind if I use your input?

 

It was real, I hae been polled in the past.

The pollster is usually some minimum wage kid reading off a list of questions and only wants a completed form to submit.

 

I am on the list for gallup and I get about 5 e-mail surveys and 2 phone polls a month... on various crap... never had an experience like that

 

Maybe I should start collecting data on poll data....

Let's see.... That 2 neg reps and 1 pos rep so far.

 

Seem my ass. They're all gamed to support their respective agendas.

 

Don't be shy, Gunny.... Tell us how you really feel.... LOL

Neg Rep - 3 / Pos Rep - 1

 

go for it.

 

now that you mention it, that is exactly what it sounded like. when i didn't want to give an answer he was pushy, and since i wanted to finish the poll, i just gave a guess answer...

 

These guys work on quotas, so if you quit midway through, he's lost maybe two other calls that could have given him 2 points. Instead, he might have had to subtract one. And cried. And then gone out and killed himself. Do you want that on your shoulders?


Telemarketing sucks, but I force myself to listen anyway. At least they're working.