Last week I got a “survey” from the RNC (Republican National Committee) that was titled 2009 OBAMA AGENDA SURVEY. It was formatted like a scan-tron type of test with complete instructions on checking the appropriate “box” (even though it is a circle), sign it and send it in with my contribution. They don’t ask for money, they assume I will give it naturally after filling out this survey.
They even say:
To ensure that this Registered Survey is properly accounted for, we ask that you sign and return this document regardless of whether or not you answer every question. Thank you.
There is also a warning “DO NOT DESTROY * DO NOT DESTROY * DO NOT DESTROY …” spanning the width of the page near the top of the “survey.”
The survey has 15 questions I am supposed to only answer as Yes, No or No Opinion. Here is a sampling:
#2 Do you believe the federal government has gone too far in bailing out the failing banks, insurance companies and the auto industry?
#3 Do you support amnesty for illegal immigrants?
#5 Are you in favor of granting retroactive Social Security eligibility to illegal immigrants who gain US citizenship through an amnesty program?
#9 Do you support the creation of a national health insurance plan that would be administered by bureaucrats in Washington D.C.?
#12 Are you in favor of creating a government-funded “Citizen Volunteer Corps” that would pay young people to do work now done by churches and charities, earning Corps Members the same pay and benefits given to military veterans?
#13 Are you in favor of re-instituting the military draft, as Democrats in Congress have proposed?
#15 Do you support Democrats’ drive to eliminate workers right to a private ballot when considering unionization of their place of employment.
Let me not answer these obvious rhetorical questions (read: statements hiding behind question marks) with a few of my own. And RNC, check the “box” with the appropriate answer after each question.
#1 RNC, do you really not know what your member’s would say to each one of your “survey’s” questions? O YES — O NO — O No Opinion
#2 Do you think it would be better to make your case instead of asking obvious questions born from very old talking points on a fake survey? O YES — O NO — O No Opinion
#3 Are Registered Republicans actually going to think this survey is anything other than a fundraising tool? O YES — O NO — O No Opinion
#4 Do you think it would be enlightening to ask your members, “Do you think the RNC is, in practice, any different than the DNC?” O YES — O NO — O No Opinion
#5 On the rough draft, did this question make the list, ‘Do you think the RNC has significantly contributed to the current crisis we are in?” O YES — O NO — O No Opinion
My survey is a lot shorter and doesn’t ask for money. I don’t think the RNC will like my survey.
I am all for a good zinger of a rhetorical question used to make people think. But rhetorical questions posing as main argument points or “real” questions just irritate me … greatly.
Dear RNC, I might still be registered with you (while looking out on the horizon for a new alternative) but your “survey” (numbered N09PK343Y) has unfortunately been destroyed.
Again, I believe both parties are going to be in for a shock in ‘10 and ‘12.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Republican National Committee – I Will Answer Your Survey When You Answer Mine http://bit.ly/5MvQvw #tcot
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Dear Republican National Committee – I Will Answer Your Survey …: #3 Are Registered Republicans .. http://bit.ly/8R4zZT #fundraising
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I like your questions.
And until people disapprove of their own representatives more than they disapprove of Congress, nothing will change, because the incumbents will be re-elected by their own district or state. Why is it that folks don’t seem to understand that if one is against out of control spending but likes the spending going on in their own district or state, that nothing will change?
I don’t know. My guess would be that people in general don’t understand basic civics. Just look at the “man on the street” interviews Jay Leno and others have done. Folks just don’t understand or “get” how our government was set up anymore. Am I wrong?
And today, there are a lot of rules and procedures that I wasn’t taught way back in my 9th grade civics class.
Yes. We the people need to hold all our elected officials ‘ feet to the fire. Congress could use a good, old-fashioned enema. Forgive the allusion. It fits.
well… that was gross. Appropriate … but nevertheless … gross. ::: laugh :::
Ha! You’re less pointed & sarcastic than I am when I return those things, at their expense, with comments.
I got an e-mail recently encouraging everyone to vote for the non-incumbent in any race which has an incumbent, and voting for the total newbie in any race which has a totally untried candidate. The theory being the incumbents and those who have been appointed or elected to political office for much of their career got the U.S. and us into the current mess. Perhaps those whose agenda is working to solve problems as opposed to getting re-elected will actually get things done.
I don’t know . . . but given everything else that’s being tossed around the ethernet these days . . . this one sorta made sense to me.
Now, how to get everyone else to do it, too?! Randy, your world domination plot needs implementing soon!
I like that idea. I am voting for Marco Rubio for many reasons… including that he is new blood as opposed to Crist.