what good do polling results do for a democracy?

[spanone]

the message i've been hearing all day is that the vote is basically over, yet i haven't voted yet.

i am voting first thing in the morning......

[leveymg]

1. Some countries ban them in the months before elections. Not a bad idea.

[Riftaxe]

5. Perhaps we should ban Weather Forecasting

to while we're at it, since it's not 100% accurate.

[treestar]

9. Weather is more scientific

There is no human factor. Someone polled today could change their minds tomorrow.

[spanone]

11. think about it. bad weather people stay in. bad political forecast, people stay in

i don't see how it helps the democratic process one bit.

[leveymg]

12. You ban polling because it has a perverse effect on election outcomes.

The weather can't be helped, even if it's the ultimate Undecided voter who can never make up its mind until it's pulling the lever.

Damn such indecision, damn the sky.

[Riftaxe]

15. Doesn't that assume that people are

so weak willed that they will not vote?

Assuredly you would vote, why do you assume the rest of the population is inferior in that regard?

BTW: Just got back from the polls, and it was fairly crowded for a midterm year! :applause:

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

16. Very bad idea

Polling is asking people questions and reporting what they said.

Kind of a core freedom of thought and expression and inquiry and citizen involvement in politics thing.

[texastoast]

2. You should ask Harry Truman that one

HAHA

[spanone]

4. there you go.

i don't think it helps either party.

[stormpilot]

3. I'm happy to report

That I mailed in my vote last week! go Dems go!

[uppityperson]

6. k&r and I totally agree. This predicting crap is for the birds. Wait for everyone to vote,

count all the votes, declare the winner. It is more important to be accurate than fast, much more important to let everyone vote than try to manipulate them into giving up.

[randr]

7. Follow the money

Polls direct the money into the market.
If anyone thought they could not buy an election they would not spend their money on it.

[treestar]

8. It is getting to the point where it's having its own effect, isn't it?

Or at least, when we don't like them!

However, my local station today gushed on about how Christine O'Donnell could still close the (10 point or more) gap and win!!!!!

So I don't see why they don't say that about any Democrats with as big or less of deficit. :rofl:

[spanone]

10. not only when we don't like them. i don't know if they contribute

and in today's media atmosphere, they probably keep voters at home.

[treestar]

14. We need offensives in future elections to that effect

Stay home because you think the polls already decided it and let 3000 people who answered the phone decide the election - something to that effect.

[snot]

13. I don't think they do any good. They fill in the "horse race" discussions,

which the media engage in in lieu of covering actual issues.

[BzaDem]

17. Since when did hearing the truth somehow become a bad thing? n/t

[Codeine]

18. They are indicative of freedom, as is any other speech.

I for one do NOT assume the public is so stupid (and by extension, that I am so smart) as to be swayed by polls. And if they are, well that's their responsibility.