Recent Poll Proves Nothing

A recent poll done by CBS attempts to prove that politics plays a roll in...politics.

Link to full story here

What does, "Mostly political reasons" mean? I've been trying to wrap my head around it. It's hard, because it's such broad, sweeping, overly vague answer to a question that one could not possibly say someone is wrong by choosing that as an answer.

Of course, is it right?

For example, lets just change some of the nouns in that question above.

Why do priests pray?

• They think it's a good thing to do.
• Mostly religious reasons
• Don't know

Look, I can make a poll too CBS!

Then again, I couldn't possibly make this poll look as beautiful as CBS did. An absolutely commendable job dressing up this pile of tautological mush.

This is what happens when the news outlet makes the polls. They need a story, so they warp a poll to suit their needs. I can just picture the brainstorm session for this mess:

"Hey, I have an idea! Let's make a story about how all politicians are politicians!"

"Sounds like a great idea, Bob! We need some evidence to back this up though."

"I know, let's call random people during dinner and ask them if they think politicians are politicians!"

I'll stop picking on CBS now. They do a fine job, I read the full survey and it brought up some interesting points. I just wish they brought up those points in a nice, easy to read chart. To read the full survey, click here.

• On a quasi-related side note, I'm pretty sure the question, "Why are Democrats Trying to Pass Health Care Bill?" is a poor sentence. Just say it out loud. Shouldn't it be, "...Trying to Pass the Health Care Bill?" Keep up the good work CBS!