Push-Pollin' Along With The Chuckmeister
TIME TO READ THE CHUCKMEISTER AGAIN
From time to time I'll nudge you to visit my pal, Chuck Cassity's blog, Chuckmeister Unleashed, when he presents us with a particularly provocative/entertaining epistle. Today is one of those days. He turns the spotlight on an issue that certainly needs illumination.
OCEA PUSH POLL PARTICIPANTS
The Chuckmeister and his lovely spouse were the recipients of a recent push poll, assumed to be funded by the Orange County Employee Association, and he shares his views on this poll HERE. I won't try to characterize his views on this poll - you've got to read it for yourself.
CM TAXPAYER'S ASSOCIATION DID IT, TOO
However, I will remind you that the Costa Mesa Taxpayer's Association, the unofficial yappers for the council majority, published a very similar push poll recently and have been crowing about the results ever since.
UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE...
Personally, I think it's important for all Costa Mesa residents to understand th
at such polls, regardless which side is conducting them, are just part of the propaganda apparatus constructed to influence public opinion. The tactics are the same on both sides - ask questions that can only be answered in a way to provide the folks paying for the poll with the answers they want. It's like the question, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?" - How do you answer that one? Push polls are like that.
EXPECT TO SEE THE POLL RESULTS SOON
I expect to see the results of the latest poll splattered all over the media. Those of us who write a little bit about stuff here in town will likely receive a press release hooting about the results. Those results will likely appear as another media ad and also be part of the pop-up ad infection that has been turned loose on your computer in recent weeks. If we don't see the poll results it will likely mean that they didn't get the answers they wanted. We'll see.
SO FAR, NO POLLS AT "THE CAULDRON"
So, if you choose to participate in these things be sure you understand what's going on. So far neither Ms. Potstirrer nor I have not been included in any of these polls. Good thing, too. I've already decided I would answer the questions exactly the opposite of what they expect - in an effort to provide a balanced report. Of course, we always try to do that here - provide a balanced report on issues - but sometimes it's not easy. It can be difficult to snatch the truth out of a spinning cup, but we try.
From time to time I'll nudge you to visit my pal, Chuck Cassity's blog, Chuckmeister Unleashed, when he presents us with a particularly provocative/entertaining epistle. Today is one of those days. He turns the spotlight on an issue that certainly needs illumination.
OCEA PUSH POLL PARTICIPANTS
The Chuckmeister and his lovely spouse were the recipients of a recent push poll, assumed to be funded by the Orange County Employee Association, and he shares his views on this poll HERE. I won't try to characterize his views on this poll - you've got to read it for yourself.
CM TAXPAYER'S ASSOCIATION DID IT, TOO
However, I will remind you that the Costa Mesa Taxpayer's Association, the unofficial yappers for the council majority, published a very similar push poll recently and have been crowing about the results ever since.UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE...
Personally, I think it's important for all Costa Mesa residents to understand th
at such polls, regardless which side is conducting them, are just part of the propaganda apparatus constructed to influence public opinion. The tactics are the same on both sides - ask questions that can only be answered in a way to provide the folks paying for the poll with the answers they want. It's like the question, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?" - How do you answer that one? Push polls are like that.EXPECT TO SEE THE POLL RESULTS SOON
I expect to see the results of the latest poll splattered all over the media. Those of us who write a little bit about stuff here in town will likely receive a press release hooting about the results. Those results will likely appear as another media ad and also be part of the pop-up ad infection that has been turned loose on your computer in recent weeks. If we don't see the poll results it will likely mean that they didn't get the answers they wanted. We'll see.SO FAR, NO POLLS AT "THE CAULDRON"
So, if you choose to participate in these things be sure you understand what's going on. So far neither Ms. Potstirrer nor I have not been included in any of these polls. Good thing, too. I've already decided I would answer the questions exactly the opposite of what they expect - in an effort to provide a balanced report. Of course, we always try to do that here - provide a balanced report on issues - but sometimes it's not easy. It can be difficult to snatch the truth out of a spinning cup, but we try.
Labels: Chuckmeister Unleashed, Costa Mesa Taxpayers Association, OCEA, Push Polls
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 5/16/2011 01:46:00 PM
3 Comments:
Geoff,
It speaks volumes to me that no one has commented on this thread.
So to break the ice, I will start.
Chuck hits the same chord I have been trying to strike since the beginning of this; both side should stop politicizing these issues and get down to serious policy discussions.
The council majority should be honest with the citizens of Costa Mesa and make their case for not only outsourcing employees, but dismantling the benefits packages awarded in the process.
The unions should make their case for retaining the benefits won in past negotiations.
Both side should identify their plan for the city's economic future and how we get there with REAL numbers that can be independently substantiated. I think the city has moved some in that direction with their public budget meetings.
I personally don't really care if we outsource or not, but how we handle the whole matter is of great concern to me. As a taxpayer and by extension an employer of the city's workforce, I want our staff treated with respect and empathy. As a taxpayer and voter, I want my tax dollars spent intelligently. I don't think those are mutually exclusive goals.
Bruce,
Old dependable strikes again! :-) Leave it to you to try to sharpen the focus on the real issue and describe a process that is actually responsible governance and good management.
The problem, of course, that both sides have their own agendas - neither of which lend themselves to good management. Both are trying to defend their individual positions and are doing so by cranking up the volume and screeching back and forth at each other.
By the way, I think your assessment about the lack of comments on this thread does, indeed, speak volumes... how very sad. Thanks for your participation.
Old?!?!?!
Isn't that the Pot calling the Kettle black?!?!?!
HAHAHAHAHA
I am sort of Kettle shaped!! :)
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