I just got polled from a company called Call Research. For some reason, I get polled fairly often. I even got push polled against Rep. Tom Udall during his first campaign for Congress. (Last time, the GOP didn't even field a candidate against him.) In 2004 primary season, I must have been polled a dozen times. Maybe because NM is a swing state, and I kept saying I was undecided. I googled the name "Call Research". It's part of the name of many companies, and nothing with just that name. If someone knows more about this, please do tell.
The guy who did the poll was pretty good at what he did. Besides he laughed at my silly little joke about Dubya: "He said he's a uniter, not a divider. And that's true. Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were enemies, but he united them against the US."
What was asked is below the fold. If you want to discuss, great. Otherwise, just check out what they're asking. I'm not super good at taking dictation, so I'm sure there's errors. But it's pretty close. I picked one of the questions for you to answer, too. Except I added a few more options.
Gender Year of Birth
Which issue is most important to you in considering federal candidates. Once answered, choose second choice from the same list:
- Taxes
- Economy
- Education
- Health care
- Illegal immigration
- Gas prices
- Iraq
- Social security & medicare
- Terrorism
- Environment
I think corporate cronyism is the worst problem but that wasn't on the list. So I chose environment first, and Iraq second.
Agree or disagree:
(1) Being #1 in the world is economically is important
(2) Being #1 is not important as long as US is one of several leading nations.
The current political climate: Do we need change? Or not?
In the last few years, is the country getting generally: Worse? Better? Staying about the same?
What do you think of the US's ability to compete economically and deal with foreign economic competition? Excellent - Good - Fair - Not Good - Poor
Federal Government grants public funds to universities for scientific research. Do you:
Approve? Disapprove? Then: Strongly?
There is a proposition before Congress to increase research $$ to all sciences and engineering, including computer science, math, and physics, and to strengthen the country's educational programs in these fields. Proposed increase is 10% per year for 7 years. Favor? Oppose?
Rate the following 1-10 where 1 is terrible and 10 is the best regarding the role of university science research:
- Keep high paying jobs here
- Vital to a strong economy
- Help create future jobs
- Help lead a new generation of improvements and discoveries, and produce new products
- Help keep our country's edge in research, discovery and innovation
- Help keep America competitive with foreign economic competitors like China, India & Japan
Are the following statements:
Very convincing - Somewhat convincing - Not too convincing? - Not at all convincing?
- University scientific research has led to more jobs, better health, and improved quality of life for millions of Americans. Many innovations we enjoy today are the products of basic research at American universities, such as the Internet, GPS, PET scans and digital mammograms.
- India, China, Japan and other countries are investing heavily in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and a host of other new technologies. The rest of the world is now quickly catching up to American. We need smart & targeted investments in university research. It is the research that will create new products and new jobs of the future.
At this point, there was an opportunity to add your own comments. Mine were:
I think it's a bad when the results of publicly funded research end up as exclusive patents. For example, if university research contributes to a cure for Bird Flu, any company should be able to manufacture it. Political obstacles to research like stem cells is a bad thing. There's a good chance that, in time, stem cell research could put an end to horrible things like Alzheimer's disease. Finally, I think we need a major project - like the Manhattan Project or the moon shot - for the purpose of developing alternative energy.
Space was limited, so I had to pick a few priorities. The above made the cut.
Anyone in your household work at a science or technology job?
What's the Dow Jones been the last few days? I don't follow this, but guessed 10,063. Just looked it up and I was a bit off, as the correct answer is around 10,690.
If the 2004 Presidential election were held today, who would you vote for?
Iraq War: Right or wrong? Strongly?
In general, is the war in Iraq and its aftermath is mostly: A success? Not a success?
About the war: Which of the following four statements most closely matches your opinion:
- US should immediately withdraw troops.
- There should be a strict timetable for troop withdrawal.
- Don't agree with withdrawing troops until civil order is restored & the Iraqis can govern & provide security for themselves.
- The Iraq War is the frontline in the War Against Terrorism & the troops shouldn't be withdrawn until civil order is restored & the Iraqis can govern & provide security for themselves.
Have you or an immediate family member served in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan? Yes - No
Do you know anyone who's served in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan? Yes - No
Any household member ever served in the military or currently serve?
Last grade completed
Income level <20k 20-40k 40-60k >60k
Children <18 in household
Politically are you: Democrat Republican Other Strongly so?
Are you: Liberal Moderate Conservative Very much so?
Who did you vote for in 2004 election?
Ethnicity/race
Employment: Employed? Homemaker? Unemployed? Retired? Student?
Marital Status: Married? Widowed? Separated? Divorced? Never married?
Which from the following list (1 or 2) would make you consider not voting for someone for statewide office if their position differed from yours:
- Gun Laws
- Abortion
- Taxes
- Gay Marriage
- Immigration
- Environment
Do you go online to the World Wide Web, or to send & receive e-mail?
Can we ask you more questions later.
Done. It's already so long that I don't want to discuss it here. If there's comments, I can add more.