So I haven't attempted a diary for nearly two years after my first and only embarrassing effort. Regardless, I was reading this article on NRO: (
http://article.nationalreview.com/...=) about the estate tax and felt some response was necessary. However, this is not going to be a diatribe on why I like the estate tax (I do), or why supporters of repeal are wrong (they are). As I read the commentary, he constantly cited polling data about the estate tax to bolster his position.
I thought to myself "popular opinion does not necessarily make good public policy!" Then I thought of how often right here on DailyKos I see public opinion polls used to bolster one position or another. This struck me as a glaring inconsistency, and I thought it might make sense to have a discussion about it.
First, I think that there is a lot of benefit to polling. I don't think that one of these benefits is that it represents the best public policy. I have come to think that using polling as an argument when it supports the progressive position is counter-productive as a method of persuasion. There are many issues (Gay Marriage, Estate Tax, Iraq in early 2003, etc.) where the polling doesn't fall in our favor. When we say "60% of people think Social Security privatization is bad, this bolsters our position!" How can we say that the polling on Gay Marriage doesn't bolster the position of the reactionary right?
A quick look at http://www.pollingreport.com shows that 60% of people think gay marriage should be illegal and that we need a constitutional amendment banning flag burning. Flag Burning! 65% support the death penalty and 51% think it's not imposed often enough. 53% of seniors think the new prescription drug plan is NOT working, but 57% of them say they're more likely to vote for a congressperson who voted FOR the bill!
I would like to see polls used to show whether our message is being heard by the masses, ("look at these polls, clearly we need to try a new tactic"), not to help sway the masses in and of themselves ("look at these polls, clearly we're right!").
Our public policy message is right not because people agree with it or don't, but rather because if implemented, it would lead to a more fair, more just government and society.