Well, hells bells
– I’ve been polled and recorded. My opinion of the California
recall is on the record. What a frightening thought according to my
moderately liberal partner.
”
You’re a lunatic,
”
he complained.
”
Don’t they check these people?
”
This was not just another ol’ poll either, but it was the first
USA Today/ CNN/ Gallop Poll on the recall. When the telephone first
rang, I thought
”
For cry’n out loud
– another telemarketer,
”
which reminded me I forgot to sign up for the do-not-call
list.
Well, hells bells – I’ve been polled and recorded. My opinion of the California recall is on the record. What a frightening thought according to my moderately liberal partner. “You’re a lunatic,” he complained. “Don’t they check these people?”
This was not just another ol’ poll either, but it was the first USA Today/ CNN/ Gallop Poll on the recall. When the telephone first rang, I thought “For cry’n out loud – another telemarketer,” which reminded me I forgot to sign up for the do-not-call list.
Instead of someone trying to sell me a product, however, I was greeted by a woman asking if I was interested in taking part in the survey.
“You want my opinion?” I asked her.
Boy, that’s a mouthful.
It was about 7:48 p.m. when the interview concluded. I couldn’t wait to tell Jim, the man with a political science degree. Jim stood there, slightly slighted, holding the bottle opener in one hand and a beer in the other, hesitating for the first time to open it.
“I’m upset,” he said. “Why would they poll you and not me?”
“Honey, you weren’t home,” I laughed.
My opinion, along with 786 other people’s, was released Sunday, which certainly destroyed Jim’s faith in polls because I was polled and he was not.
“Where’s the balance,” Jim demanded. “Now your opinion will have some undue influence on a national poll and my opinion is lost forever!”
Apparently, 63 percent of us “lunatic” voters want to recall Gov. Gray Davis while 40 percent polled want Arnold for governor.
“But honey, did you not agree this blunder should go on Davis’ permanent‚ record?” he asked.
A moment of silence.
What I found interesting was the way questions were presented, like when asked whom I was likely to vote for if the recall passed, each candidate’s name was read to me with a party affiliation. Except Arnold Schwarzenegger – he was referred to as “the actor.” Is this a new political party?
The other candidates names were read as Sen. Tom McClintock, a Republican, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, the Democrat, Peter Camejo, the Green Party candidate, and Arianna Huffington, an independent candidate.
“I’ll bet you kept giving her your opinion long after she wanted to end the interview,” Jim said.
“Of course,” I answered. “I wanted to know how the poll was going.”
After I hung up, I did have a few ideas of my own for future polls, like do you think the military should be an option instead of prison sentences for first time offenders with the exception of homicide and other major felony crimes? I bet the majority would say yes because prison isn’t always the answer.
Another question presented to the people polled was their opinion of the business climate, which a majority believes is “unfriendly” because of rules and regulations.
Next week, Californians decide who the next governor will be. Clearly, “We the people” do want change and we are weary of the rhetoric of typical politicians. Apparently, Schwarzenegger is a good businessman and no stranger in the political world.
Some say the recall should not take place, but the majority of voters agree the recall is in order.
So ask yourself this: Are you happy with the status quo of California’s government? If not, vote for a winner. Terminate Davis.
