Lies, Damn, Lies and Approval Ratings.
By, Marc Ash
t r u t h o u t -- 3.17.01 | Accused spy Robert Philip Hanssen in a letter to his Russian handlers wrote; "The U.S. can be likened to a powerfully built but retarded child, potentially dangerous, but young, immature and easily manipulated." He is wrong. He has to be wrong, the little traitor. We are better than that.. aren't we?
The March 14, New York Times/CBS News poll while disturbing enough on the surface, only becomes more troubling upon reflection. Over half see Mr. Bush's administration as "legitimate," wow that's really comforting. Does that mean that the same 40 percent that did not believe after the November fiasco that Mr. bush had the right to occupy the White House still don't? 54 percent view the country as going in the wrong direction. The silent majority heard from again? Half of all Americans do not perceive of Mr. Bush as being in command. That alone if not terrifying would be hilarious. 60 percent job Approval rating, sure no problem, heck lets give him 100 percent.
Equally remarkable was the detachment from the issues. Respondents literally changed their answers when informed of the facts. Quoting the times article; "There is little support for some of the president's priorities, like drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and withholding money from public schools that perform poorly. On a smattering of issues, including missile defense, school vouchers and federal grants to religious organizations, many poll respondents were initially supportive of Mr. Bush's proposals but changed their minds when told more about them."
What Richard L. Berke and Janet Elder the report's authors where trying to illustrate in their understated way was that, if I read them correctly, there was little understanding of the issues and no direct correlation between what Americans wanted for the country, and their approval or the lack of it for Mr. Bush himself. Sadly this gives direct credence to Hanssen's assessment. How do we bridge the information gap? Can we do so through the use of communication tools, however new they may be? What will ultimately be the price of wisdom? Is it enough that I know the truth if I cannot bring others to see?
Clearly a man who would do what Hanssen is accused of doing cannot love his country. For those of us who do, we must see the child in us and realize our vulnerability. As a nation we have been easily manipulated, that realization will be a painful but productive epiphany.
Ref : New York Times/CBS poll : (http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/14/politics/14POLL.html)
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