(If this post seems familiar, we’ve used the "Disneyland" analogy below before, as this isn’t the first time that the liberals in the media have "lept" onto a poorly worded survey to assert public opinion.)
As FR contributor and public opinion pollster Adam Probolsky likes to say, a poll is only as good as what you ask, and to whom you ask it. So I was quite amused to see so much enthusiasm erupt from the liberal media and left-wing Democrats when the Field Poll released their latest survey response. The source of their glee?
Their question asks a sampling of random Californians if they support the current health care proposal before the legislature.
The response to this question: 38% Favor Strongly, 34% Favor Somewhat, 12% Oppose Somewhat, 11% Oppose Strongly and 13% No Opinion.
Here is the problem — the question is a "feel good" rosy one that describes the plan with out ANY mention of the negative consequences of the plan. For example, there is no mention that potentially tens of thousands of employers who currently offer private insurance, under this plan, may opt to discontinue offering such coverage and instead pay a fee to the state, leaving their employees to become part of a government program. Click through the link and read the set-up scenario yourself. It could have been written by Fabian Nunez or Arnold Schwarzenegger, the advocates for this boondoggle.
This question like asking, "Would you like prices to be lower to spend a day at Disneyland?"
Of course virtually all respondents would say yes. But what if the follow up question was, "Would you still want entrance prices lowered at Disneyland if you knew that many of your favorite rides and attractions would be closed? Or that food prices in the park would go up 100%? Or that park hours would need to be reduced?"
I’m sure that faced with the real consequences of lower entrance fees at Disneyland, poll respondents would probably prefer to keep the prices, and enjoy all of the amazing things that Disney has done with their flagship theme park.
Which brings me back to the Field survey. Because what wasn’t asked was the all important follow up question, "Would you still support this plan if you knew that the tax increases in it could cripple California economy and cause you and many others to lose their jobs?"
Of course this question wasn’t asked. But then again, liberals would probably also mandate a price cut in Disneyland tickets if they could, as long as it wouldn’t close Fantasyland.
In conclusion, it is dubious at best to charge forward with an assumption that Californians support policies when they have not been educated as to their real impacts.