what if Al-Qaeda attacks before our elections? - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Kadath · 04-22-2004, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mojo_PeiPei
Thats what the different branches are for, no? You elect local and national congress to be your voice, not the president.

I believe I admitted that we are a republic. And I didn't ask for the president to be my voice. I think you meant "you elect local and national congress to listen to your voice, not the president." I still think the president shouldn't be averse to listening to the people from time to time, and he shouldn't insult his political rival based on the fact that his rival does.

onetime2 · 04-23-2004, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kadath
If you don't base your decisions on polls, why would you bother spending money on them?

I'd also like to point out that, though this is a republic and we elect people to decide for us, rather than decide ourselves, it'd be nice if the president listened to what the people thought about issues.

Information about voters is good whether you use it or not. But, to answer your question, polls can also be used to gauge reaction after a decision has already been made.

Kadath · 04-23-2004, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onetime2
Information about voters is good whether you use it or not. But, to answer your question, polls can also be used to gauge reaction after a decision has already been made.

But he doesn't make decisions based on polls, so all an "after the fact" poll would do is make Bush feel better about himself? Yeah, that's a good use of money.

onetime2 · 04-23-2004, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kadath
But he doesn't make decisions based on polls, so all an "after the fact" poll would do is make Bush feel better about himself? Yeah, that's a good use of money.

What makes you think it would only make him feel better? Knowing the reaction to decisions is valuable information. Gauging people's reaction gives insight into the way they think. While he may not look at polls to decide policy he can certainly use them to better present ideas and determine where the public feeling is strongest.

Sparhawk · 04-23-2004, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onetime2
What makes you think it would only make him feel better? Knowing the reaction to decisions is valuable information. Gauging people's reaction gives insight into the way they think. While he may not look at polls to decide policy he can certainly use them to better present ideas and determine where the public feeling is strongest.

Would the President have done any of the following if it weren't for the weight of public opinion against him?

Quote:

Originally posted by Sparhawk
-Releasing Military Records
-Opposed, then championed creating Dept Homeland Security
-Opposed, then championed 9/11 Commission
-Opposed, then championed U.N. involvement in reconstruction of Iraq (think like, last weeks press conference, and the Brahmini guy)

Probably the second, but the other three? Those are classic cases of making decisions based on polling.

phyzix525 · 04-23-2004, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kadath
I still think the president shouldn't be averse to listening to the people from time to time.

He does, just cause its is not your idea he is listening to does not mean he does not pay attention. don't forget at least half the people out there have sided with him on most issues. So he is listening to some.

Personally if I were president I would not listen to the "people" cause people are really stupid. I have taken those aptitude tests and usually score in the top5%, and there is no way I would consider myself very smart. So our country is full of freakin morons. If he does what he think is best, well thats all I would expect from him or any other president.

onetime2 · 04-23-2004, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sparhawk
Would the President have done any of the following if it weren't for the weight of public opinion against him?

Probably the second, but the other three? Those are classic cases of making decisions based on polling.

There are countless reasons for each of those decisions and poll numbers are not the top ones IMO.

Kadath · 04-23-2004, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by phyzix525
He does, just cause its is not your idea he is listening to does not mean he does not pay attention. don't forget at least half the people out there have sided with him on most issues. So he is listening to some.

Personally if I were president I would not listen to the "people" cause people are really stupid. I have taken those aptitude tests and usually score in the top5%, and there is no way I would consider myself very smart. So our country is full of freakin morons. If he does what he think is best, well thats all I would expect from him or any other president.

I wish I could resist, but I can't. It's clear from the fact that you quote your performance on standardized test scores that you do consider yourself smart.

Beyond that, it's not that I feel Bush doesn't listen to me. It's that Bush is claiming he doesn't make decisions based on polls. Just because he makes decisions that happen to coincide with people's belief doesn't mean he is listening to them.
While I agree that "people are really stupid," President Bush is still the leader of those people. I agree he should make the final decision. I don't think he should pride himself on not listening to the people he leads.