Election After Math

 

The election polling industry in this country is nothing more than cheap fodder for the news sections of the country's newspapers, radio and television news departments.

 

Instead of examining the issues, talking to the people on the street, or grilling the favourite candidates of the news organizations in question, you get cut and paste journalism. 

 

The election coverage should really be put in the sports section as it is now just the reporting of a horse race.

 

Polling now, is not representative of much more than the people who were either unfortunate enough to pick up the phone when a telephone solicitor calls, or are lonely and speak english. Having a heart beat is an option.

 

Think about it.

 

The pollster asks a simple question or set of questions to an issue as important and difficult to answer or figure out as solutions to our health care system, our national unity, education, or the environment. These are questions that our elected leaders down the ages have not been able to easily solve.

 

It leaves out those that have only a wireless cell phone, aren't home because they are out working, going to school or clubbing, and those that don't speak english.

 

If the phone call comes during the day, it leaves out those that work during the day. If it comes at supper-time, you get people giving answers quick and not thought out, so they can get back to their Kraft Dinner while it is still hot.

 

How can a poll of 1,500 randomly selected people, give any sort of snap shot of opinion of a country of 35,000,000, stretching from sea to sea, to sea? It can't. The polling company does not spend anytime doing any sort of demographic clustering so they get a sampling of the proper make up of Canada.

 

How can polling be accurate when it does not call back the same people from week to week, to track their opinions and how they might have changed? What issues made them change their minds, or solidify their choices?

 

How can a poll be reported on without reporting the number of undecided, or the number of people who just aren't going to vote, or their reasons for not voting or for being undecided? Would it not be interesting to find out what it would take to get those people who aren't going to vote, back into the voting booth?

 

Keep in mind that the people doing the telephoning get paid for the most part by the number of completed surveys. Not by the quality nor the following of good statistical best practices.

 

The polling industry has only been masterfull in dousing any sort of vision our politicians may have for Canada in the future, because of the addiction they have built in their users for the false sense of security put in the polling results.

 

 

Thank you

Norm Greenfield