Blind Polling...

I just received a telephone survey for a political poll for the US elections in November 2010.  Now, it should be stated that I have done both undergraduate and graduate level work in the social sciences and specifically sociology and political science – thus I understand a bit about polling.  However, I had never actually been a subject of this type of poll.  As the questions went on I found myself actually wanting to talk, to express what I really thought rather than whether I simply strongly agreed, somewhat agreed, somewhat disagreed, strongly disagreed, or didn't wish to answer the question.  I mean think about it.  When you take a multiple choice test in school it is annoying when you have studied and know the answers, but what is in your head isn't one of the choices. 

On a scantron sheet in a class its not make-or-break, but this type of poll is different.  I am one of the people who's voice will be heard in the newspaper – 54% of Americans believe X.  But how do you explain what you really think on a scantron sheet, in a multiple choice test, or in a poll?  Do I approve of the job the democrats are doing in congress?  No, but that doesn't ask if I approve of anyone at all, or the political system in general.  In this election will I vote democratic or republican?  I ask, aren't there any other choices... “no, this is all that I have on my sheet here”.  And that is the essence of the US system.  There  are no choices, the political system is all but cut down to a scantron with an A and a B.

Basically, I feel teased.  Like I just had a chance to tell the country and its political leaders what I really thought, but you know what I got?  A scantron answer sheet to fill in.  How do you feel about health care, A or B, how do you feel about the economy, A or B, how do you feel about the country's leaders, A or B.  It is really sad that actually, in life, in this 'democracy', I really don't have any real say.  Just the cookie cutter responses that I'm offered to choose, or one or the other on the ballot.  There was no space, for “hey, lets erase it all and start over again.”  Hey lets find an alternative system... no no.  Just A or B.  How can we ever get better with only two options?  And actually, come to think of it, are they even really two separate options?