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My Left Breast Put Fancy TSA Scanner to the Test
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The Public Takes a News Quiz ... and Doesn't Do So Well
One question that always comes to mind when reading a poll: How much does the public know about the issues and current events it is being asked about, particularly complex ones like health care?
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The Pew Research Center looked for some answers by giving 1,002 adults a news quiz, conducted Oct. 1-4. (You can take the quiz yourself here, but no cheating by looking first at the results which are below.)
The quiz included 12 multiple-choice questions and those who took it answered an average of 5.3 questions correctly.
Here are some of the results:
Seventy-five percent answered correctly when asked which party controlled the House, (the Democrats).
Sixty-five percent knew that Sonia Sotomayor was the new Supreme Court justice.
Sixty-one percent knew that health spending in the U.S. was higher than most of Europe.
When asked in what legislative context the "public option" was being discussed, 56 percent correctly answered "health care."
Fifty-three percent knew the unemployment rate was close to 10 percent.
Forty-two percent knew that Israel and Iran do not share a border.
Forty percent knew that Glenn Beck was a radio and TV talk show host.
Thirty-three percent knew that Ben Bernanke is the Federal Reserve Chairman.
Thirty-three percent knew that the Dow was back close to 10,000 points.
Twenty-eight percent knew the correct size of the U.S. military force in Afghanistan (about 70,000).
Twenty-three percent knew that "cap & trade" had to do with energy and climate legislation.
And for all the frequency with which his face has been on TV lately and the front pages of the newspapers, only 18 percent knew Max Baucus was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
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Bruce Drake
Drake began his career with the New York Daily News, spending most of that time in Washington covering Congress, national politics and the Reagan White House... more
Comments (89)
Pete
1:30PM Oct 14th 2009
What do you expect from people who voted for "Hope and Change" and "yes We Can slogans!!
The Health Care Bill is 1300 pages no one can understand.
Obama outsourced the Government run Health Care Bill (GRHC) to Pelosi. Obama has acted as Pelosi's salesmen running the same "Hope and Change" "Yes We Can" campaign sales pitch for GRHC.
When Obama FINALLY said something specific, such as GRHC would be deficit neutral the CBO shot him down. When Obama said illegals would not be covered he was called a liar.
Democrats then put on an apology dog and pony show while they ran a THIRD no illegal amendment through while no one was watching.
Democrats had voted down TWO previous Republican amendments before having to back-up Obama's claim.
For Democrats information is dangerous. Why inform the public with all that promised transparency as long as the masses keep buying something as simple as "Hope and Change" and "Yes we Can."
Respectfully,
Pete
The Health Care Bill is 1300 pages no one can understand.
Obama outsourced the Government run Health Care Bill (GRHC) to Pelosi. Obama has acted as Pelosi's salesmen running the same "Hope and Change" "Yes We Can" campaign sales pitch for GRHC.
When Obama FINALLY said something specific, such as GRHC would be deficit neutral the CBO shot him down. When Obama said illegals would not be covered he was called a liar.
Democrats then put on an apology dog and pony show while they ran a THIRD no illegal amendment through while no one was watching.
Democrats had voted down TWO previous Republican amendments before having to back-up Obama's claim.
For Democrats information is dangerous. Why inform the public with all that promised transparency as long as the masses keep buying something as simple as "Hope and Change" and "Yes we Can."
Respectfully,
Pete
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(20)
(20) 
Paul
1:37PM Oct 14th 2009
Come on Pete, It was only Democrats/Liberals who answered wrong, correct? Give me a break. I guess every Conservative/Republican/Tea bagger who took this quiz got all 12 answers correct. Please. I know that Democrats/Liberals favor education more so than Conservatives/Republicans/Tea baggers. So I think that your assumption is completely wrong.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(-8)
(-8) bonbon
1:45PM Oct 14th 2009
it is not Hope and Cahnge anymore
I now call it Hype and Chains.
Hype for all the lies
and
Chains, for how we are losing our rights, and the debt now chained to us, and for gernerations to come. then add health overhaul. we may never be free again.
I now call it Hype and Chains.
Hype for all the lies
and
Chains, for how we are losing our rights, and the debt now chained to us, and for gernerations to come. then add health overhaul. we may never be free again.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (16)
(16) bonbon
1:48PM Oct 14th 2009
Paul
gee, I knew the answers, maybe because I actually do pay attention
FYI I am a democrat, a very disillusioned one, , but still a democrat.
and I did not vote for the Big ZERO nor his promises of Hype and Chains.
gee, I knew the answers, maybe because I actually do pay attention
FYI I am a democrat, a very disillusioned one, , but still a democrat.
and I did not vote for the Big ZERO nor his promises of Hype and Chains.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (11)
(11) slfstx
8:04PM Oct 14th 2009
I voted for Hope and Change and got all 12 correct. How did you do?
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(0)
(0) dossthane
7:11AM Oct 15th 2009
What was your score, Pete? (And did you take it without looking at the answers first?)
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(3)
(3) Charles Queen
1:43PM Oct 14th 2009
Well it just go's to show you how many peoplestay informed.I found most of the questions to be pretty common knowledge as far as people knowing the answers to them.Those that don't must live very secluded lives is all I gotta say about it
RATE THIS COMMENT: (8)
(8) Amy
1:44PM Oct 14th 2009
I am proud to say I only missed 1 and that was how many troops in Afghanstan. Maybe this guy is calling the wrong people.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (15)
(15) bonbon
2:09PM Oct 14th 2009
exactly
a poll is only as good as the people giving the poll, the people asked, the question's asked, , and the choice of answers offered. and how it is then interpruted.
and wow 1,002 people, what party were they from, what region of the country. sure it reflects the whole country. lol
was it all in one area, or all across the country.
for instance
ask 6 people how many like pumpkin pie and how many like apple.
3 could say apple, and 3 pumpkin.
so you can then say 50 percent of the people polled liked pumpkin pie, but what did it prove, nothing.
but saying it makes it sound different than it really is, becasue the fact that 50 percent liked apple, gets completely ignored.
like saying the big ZERO won by a majority of votes,
when he actually didn't.
he won by more votes, obviously making him the winner.
but not by that big a margin, when you compare how many votes McCain actually got.
yet his followers will tell you he won by a huge majority. which simply is not true.
or his ratings now, 47 percent that approve versus the 53 percent that don't.
they all play with the numbers, and just like the hot seat poll here, does not always provide a choice of best answers.
example should Limbaugh buy the rams
yes, no, not sure... but how about ...don't care. that would be my choice.
every poll is flawed, and they like them that way.
a poll is only as good as the people giving the poll, the people asked, the question's asked, , and the choice of answers offered. and how it is then interpruted.
and wow 1,002 people, what party were they from, what region of the country. sure it reflects the whole country. lol
was it all in one area, or all across the country.
for instance
ask 6 people how many like pumpkin pie and how many like apple.
3 could say apple, and 3 pumpkin.
so you can then say 50 percent of the people polled liked pumpkin pie, but what did it prove, nothing.
but saying it makes it sound different than it really is, becasue the fact that 50 percent liked apple, gets completely ignored.
like saying the big ZERO won by a majority of votes,
when he actually didn't.
he won by more votes, obviously making him the winner.
but not by that big a margin, when you compare how many votes McCain actually got.
yet his followers will tell you he won by a huge majority. which simply is not true.
or his ratings now, 47 percent that approve versus the 53 percent that don't.
they all play with the numbers, and just like the hot seat poll here, does not always provide a choice of best answers.
example should Limbaugh buy the rams
yes, no, not sure... but how about ...don't care. that would be my choice.
every poll is flawed, and they like them that way.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(2)
(2) outandabout333
5:04PM Oct 14th 2009
Very Good Amy, you get a cookie. LOL
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-4)
(-4) slfstx
8:13PM Oct 14th 2009
bonbon..do you understand the difference between a poll and a quiz? A quiz requires a correct answer not a like or a dislike.
You should take the "quiz" first, read the rest of the article then comment.
You should take the "quiz" first, read the rest of the article then comment.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (4)
(4) Ruthie Kelly
12:21PM Oct 16th 2009
Dear bonbon,
Please learn about how polling works before questioning a poll. Take a statistics class. (Reading "How to Lie With Statistics" does NOT count as taking a statistics class. Or reading anything that's not an actual statistics textbook. All the way through.) Knowing that people _can_ lie with statistics is handy, but layperson understanding that deceptive polls are possible often doesn't include understanding of how polling can be done right, just how it can be done wrong. So the polling firm could tell you why and how they did it answers your questions, and illustrates polling done right, but if you don't understand statistics, then you will just continue to distrust them for no reason.
Your questions would not be misplaced if the poll was done by an unknown or untrusted polling firm, or an inexperienced researcher, or someone who does not know statistics and correct polling methods. PEW is none of these. Please learn about how the PEW Center conducts their polling and why it stands up to scientific scrutiny before going on about how unreliable polls CAN be. (Taking that statistics class is key to being able to figure that out yourself.) Calling the motives and methods of an organization into question without bothering to find out the readily available answer is lazy and it spreads needless misinformation and distrust. PEW is not secretive about their methods, but they can't recount Statistics 101 for every article including statistics just because people like you don't understand them.
Please learn about how polling works before questioning a poll. Take a statistics class. (Reading "How to Lie With Statistics" does NOT count as taking a statistics class. Or reading anything that's not an actual statistics textbook. All the way through.) Knowing that people _can_ lie with statistics is handy, but layperson understanding that deceptive polls are possible often doesn't include understanding of how polling can be done right, just how it can be done wrong. So the polling firm could tell you why and how they did it answers your questions, and illustrates polling done right, but if you don't understand statistics, then you will just continue to distrust them for no reason.
Your questions would not be misplaced if the poll was done by an unknown or untrusted polling firm, or an inexperienced researcher, or someone who does not know statistics and correct polling methods. PEW is none of these. Please learn about how the PEW Center conducts their polling and why it stands up to scientific scrutiny before going on about how unreliable polls CAN be. (Taking that statistics class is key to being able to figure that out yourself.) Calling the motives and methods of an organization into question without bothering to find out the readily available answer is lazy and it spreads needless misinformation and distrust. PEW is not secretive about their methods, but they can't recount Statistics 101 for every article including statistics just because people like you don't understand them.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) Pete
2:08PM Oct 14th 2009
How much time did democrats spend PROVING Obama did not lie about illegals..............NONE!!!
Wilson quickly apologized and Obama and Pelosi quickly accepted. Done deal?? NO!!! Democrats ramped up the manufactured outrage to demand a second apology. After having voted down TWO previous Republican amendments on illegals Democrats ran through a third amendment on illegals to cover the Presidents claim AFTER THE FACT.
Many "PEOPLE" Paul, I did not stipulate only Democrats voted for "Hope and Change" and "Yes we can" slogans. These "PEOPLE" Paul were Democrats, liberals, Independents and even some Republicans. These "PEOPLE" Paul voted for slogans and promises of TRANSPARENCY that have YET to materialize.
As long as these "PEOPLE" Paul keep supporting something as abstract as "Hope and Change" and "Yes We Can" what reason does Obama have to inform anyone with all the "transparency" he promised?
Clearly those who voted for "Hope and Change" and "Yes We Can" slogans are much more likely to turn against Obama and Government Run Health Care or Cap and Tax if they were informed and knew the specifics.
Obama has nothing to gain by informing people with all the transparency he promised if his political base keeps buying "Hope and Change" and Yes we Can" slogans.
Where you got only Democrats/Liberals answered wrong I don't know Paul. Think big picture here Paul, big picture........... for Obama information is dangerous.
As long as the Obama faithful (DEMS LIBS INDEP & even REPUBS) keep buying "Hope and Change" "Yes We Can" slogans the health care bill will continue to be a mysterious 1300 page bill no one understands because Obama don't NEED an informed "Smart" public when he has so many faithful followers based on nothing more than "Hope and Change" "Yes We Can" slogans.
Respectfully,
Pete
Wilson quickly apologized and Obama and Pelosi quickly accepted. Done deal?? NO!!! Democrats ramped up the manufactured outrage to demand a second apology. After having voted down TWO previous Republican amendments on illegals Democrats ran through a third amendment on illegals to cover the Presidents claim AFTER THE FACT.
Many "PEOPLE" Paul, I did not stipulate only Democrats voted for "Hope and Change" and "Yes we can" slogans. These "PEOPLE" Paul were Democrats, liberals, Independents and even some Republicans. These "PEOPLE" Paul voted for slogans and promises of TRANSPARENCY that have YET to materialize.
As long as these "PEOPLE" Paul keep supporting something as abstract as "Hope and Change" and "Yes We Can" what reason does Obama have to inform anyone with all the "transparency" he promised?
Clearly those who voted for "Hope and Change" and "Yes We Can" slogans are much more likely to turn against Obama and Government Run Health Care or Cap and Tax if they were informed and knew the specifics.
Obama has nothing to gain by informing people with all the transparency he promised if his political base keeps buying "Hope and Change" and Yes we Can" slogans.
Where you got only Democrats/Liberals answered wrong I don't know Paul. Think big picture here Paul, big picture........... for Obama information is dangerous.
As long as the Obama faithful (DEMS LIBS INDEP & even REPUBS) keep buying "Hope and Change" "Yes We Can" slogans the health care bill will continue to be a mysterious 1300 page bill no one understands because Obama don't NEED an informed "Smart" public when he has so many faithful followers based on nothing more than "Hope and Change" "Yes We Can" slogans.
Respectfully,
Pete
RATE THIS COMMENT: (12)
(12) slfstx
8:24PM Oct 14th 2009
The comments I read here at Politics Daily are sadly lacking in thoughtful responses. Most of the conservative ones are almost identical to the puff pieces I get daily in my e-mail box from the likes of Town Hall, Patriot Post, Red State, Newt, Family resource etc. You guys really need someone to fear and you have to stop all sounding exactly the same. I also get mail from liberal blogs which don't mimic each other and actually write in-depth well researched essays. They big type from the conservative blogs tells me you guys don't read much and they have to impact you quickly otherwise they have lost your attention. Little sound bites that you can repeat go down well.
Go read the Daily Kos, Crooks and Liars, Common Dreams, Think Progress, Thom Hartman etc. Get a dose of the other side to round out your thinking.
Go read the Daily Kos, Crooks and Liars, Common Dreams, Think Progress, Thom Hartman etc. Get a dose of the other side to round out your thinking.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) Maureen
2:10PM Oct 14th 2009
Well, I'm a lifelong Democrat, a proud Liberal, and although I originally supported Hillary, I jumped on Obama's bandwagon when he won the nomination.
Oddly enough (according to some of you), I got all 12 correct. Gee - I must be a genius, huh? (Or maybe I've just been paying attention.)
It would seem that some of those responding here hail from the other side of the aisle (Republicans, Conservatives, etc. - take your pick). I find it ironic that anyone who votes for those who seem to thrive on putting out false information to prevent their opponents from gaining any ground would be surprised that the people who took the quiz didn't know the facts.
Hasn't the GOP been turning distorting and/or misstating the facts into an art form - especially lately?
Makes me wonder if those who scored poorly weren't actually Republicans who watch Faux News & listen to that [...] who wants to buy a football team.
Oddly enough (according to some of you), I got all 12 correct. Gee - I must be a genius, huh? (Or maybe I've just been paying attention.)
It would seem that some of those responding here hail from the other side of the aisle (Republicans, Conservatives, etc. - take your pick). I find it ironic that anyone who votes for those who seem to thrive on putting out false information to prevent their opponents from gaining any ground would be surprised that the people who took the quiz didn't know the facts.
Hasn't the GOP been turning distorting and/or misstating the facts into an art form - especially lately?
Makes me wonder if those who scored poorly weren't actually Republicans who watch Faux News & listen to that [...] who wants to buy a football team.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-6)
(-6) What Up Pimp
2:25PM Oct 14th 2009
Gee I keep hearing how the facts are being "distorted" and all the smart little ways to jab at Fox News. How about providing an example?
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(8) glendaaparis
3:15PM Oct 14th 2009
Maureen, you seemed intelligent until the last sentence, and you just had to use the name calling didn't you.
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(4) Peggy
3:19PM Oct 14th 2009
Sorry to disappoint you Maureen, but this conservative republican who does not watch Fox news or listen to Rush Limbaugh got 12 out of 12 too. I am NOT surprised one iota that most people don't know the answers! Just proves that most people have no idea about the issues and the people who voted for Obama have no clue what they are supporting. Not one clue. It was glaringly obvious during the campaign when several black people were interviewed in NYC on whether they agreed with Obama's views on several topics. Every single one of them said, oh absolutely I agree with that! Turns out they were all Palin's views!!
And regarding "thriving on putting out false information", and "distorting and/or misstating the facts": How 'bout we talk about Grayson and his claim that 44,000 people die each year due to not having health insurance? This is false and has been refuted in research. Many of the 44,000 are actually choosing to self insure, some are uninsured for a very short time, and many are choosing unhealthy lifestyle choices such as being obese and smoking and would die regardless of their insurance status. Grayson is being hailed for this comment and it is a distortion and misstatement of the facts!
And regarding "thriving on putting out false information", and "distorting and/or misstating the facts": How 'bout we talk about Grayson and his claim that 44,000 people die each year due to not having health insurance? This is false and has been refuted in research. Many of the 44,000 are actually choosing to self insure, some are uninsured for a very short time, and many are choosing unhealthy lifestyle choices such as being obese and smoking and would die regardless of their insurance status. Grayson is being hailed for this comment and it is a distortion and misstatement of the facts!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (4)
(4) debi
3:59PM Oct 14th 2009
maureen you sound like a whiny loser to me...
are you proud of the job obama's doing? can he make a decision?
is he a leader? i think not...he's an intellectual but you need some street
smarts/business smarts to run a country and i'm sad that he hasn't risen to the occasion!
are you proud of the job obama's doing? can he make a decision?
is he a leader? i think not...he's an intellectual but you need some street
smarts/business smarts to run a country and i'm sad that he hasn't risen to the occasion!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (3)
(3) CJ
7:15PM Oct 14th 2009
Limbaugh was told THEY DID NOT WANT HIM AND HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BUY THE TEAM. Guess they weren't impressed with his throwing around his name and his money either like he was actually someone important. How cool is that? They think he is trash too. That's ok - he will take some more oxycontin and forget all about it. LOL
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
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