Poll, Schmoll

Dear "News" Media and Pollsters across the United States of America,

I have been paying extremely close attention for some time now, in hopes to get some information and perspectives about the political climate and perhaps why some of my fellow Americans are voting the way they do. However, in these difficult and conflicted times, I am surprised that you manage to seek out and tabulate obtuse and vague information and statistics that does not go far in clarifying the purpose or objectives of our citizens, but rather confuses us and instead creates fodder for gossip, and baseless insinuation.

A case in point is the current poll question in which voters are asked, "Did race play a role in your decision today?" Although this may be a politically correct attempt to ask if that particular person is racially motivated - and if yes then a racist, and if no then a progressive - in reality, in our society, race and ethnicity impacts our perspective so much, this question is terrifically loaded! Race may play a role in the decision, but the answer to the question neither quantifies the extent to which it affected a person's decision, nor does it correlate specifically with a vote in any direction.

Perhaps we should be asking more specific questions, or clarifying questions? Did the candidate's race make you vote for or against him? Then replace the word race with ethnicity, religion, etc. as needed.

The other factor that isn't usually asked is when such a decision was made. When did race become an issue for that person? Has it always been an issue? Did it become an issue because they saw something or read something?

Can we gather some more specific information about voters, and their opinions, and not just obtuse, odd, and emotionally-vague snippets? Maybe we should start polling people about how they feel that day? How they liked the refreshments at their polling station? Or maybe we can ask them if the Olympics influenced their decision?

I look forward to seeing some more impressive polling as the elections continue... or at least to get some more laughs along the way.

Sincerely,
Ed.