Interesting survey

This survey and its implications have been all over the internet and selected news media recently. I never watch the "big three" (ABC, NBC, CBS) so I don't know if its been covered on those channels. Anyway, I wanted to post this video along with the survey information along with my thoughts. And yes, I completely realize that Barack Obama is our new President and will be so for the next four years. I understand that. However, I do think that this should make us pause and consider where we as a nation are getting our news. Do you seek to honestly become informed over the issues? Or do you merely vote for the candidate who has the (R) or (D) next to their name?

One of the first classes I ever took in college was a state and local government class and the professor really emphasized this with us. We read various news stories and then asked a series of questions: why are they telling me this? who is this story directed at? why is this (certain detail) included? When reading articles or watching news stories we should always ask ourselves these and other questions. However unbiased a reporter, publication, or channel represents themselves there is always a slant.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy watching Foxnews as opposed to the other stations. Fox realizes that people have biases and therefore does a great job of presenting both sides of the story. There have been countless times when I have seen this played out. My favorite show on Fox is Brit Hume's news reports at 6pm EST. He has an excellent sense of humor and fairly presents both sides of a particular issue. He also has a round table discussion called the 'All Stars' on every show to discuss the relevant stories of the day.

Anyway, I digress...What I really wanted to post is this survey that was taken after the election to poll the knowledge of people who voted for Obama. It is really quite revealing and disturbing. John Ziegler, through Zogby, conducted this poll and asked twelve questions to 512 Obama voters nationwide. The results are astounding. The video is quite long but shows 12 people who had already voted for Obama and their answers to the 12 questions.

As Tim pointed out, I'm sure that a number of ignorant McCain voters could be found. Unfortunately, Zogby has declined the request to do the same poll of McCain voters (and I don't think the results would be the same). However, I really don't see that as the point. What I believe the poll does is point out the incredible influence mainstream media has on a majority of Americans. We are a part of a give-it-to-me-fast, microwaved world and we are too lazy to discover the truth for ourselves. So take this poll and video as a lesson, the next time you read a news article or watch a story ask yourself some questions. Why are they telling me this? Why are they including these details? What is being left out? And take it upon yourself to become more informed.

This quote is posted on the top of Ziegler's website and I think its a very relevant one.
"Promote then as an object of primary importance, Institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."

George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

How Obama Got Elected



Poll Results