Is CHENEY right -- is the public irrelevant in our democracy?

Question

Whenever Cheney is confronted with the idea that the public is aganst his and Bush's policies, he always says the same thing "Polls are fickle, they go up and down."

So, Cheney equates the opinions of the public with the capriciousness of polls. No matter the issue, the public is apparently not informed enough to have a meaningful say in the dialogue.

Do you believe Cheney is correct? If not, what should be done about it?

If he's right, why is the public allowed to vote at all?

Mark -- Cheney is making this implicit association. When asked his response to what the public thinks about any issue, he always answers that polls go up and down. His association, not mine. He seems to equate the public's support or lack of support with American Idol voting -- as if the public has no place in determining the course of the country.

Bob -- that it is a far cry is exactly part of the point. Cheney makes the stretch from public opinion to the fickleness of polls by always equating the two when asked about public support or lack of support.

Guys, Cheney's disrespect for the views of the public is exactly borne out in his choice of rhetoric to dismiss public opnion. To him, it's like the weather going up and down. It is fickle and therefore meaningless. Cheney's idea, not mine.

Logically, then, Cheney would regard all the opinions of all the posters here as irrelevant, including his most vocal supporters here.

But, how is this position in any way consistent with the democracy we want to maintain here, and encourage abroad (apparently also at gunpoint).

Aggie girl -- the issue is whether or not it is correct to dismiss public opinion entirely on grounds that "polls go up and down". I believe you have missed the point somewhat. If public opinion and the polls are different, you are disagreeing with Cheney, not agreeing with him.

Answer 1

Cheney has not been correct about anything in a while. I hesitate to say more because he is such a good shot.

Answer 2

I don't know how you get from the statement to your assumption, seems like a far cry. Why don't you think about it a little and I'm sure you'll see that your comment was in error. Polls are fickle, you cannot rely on them for anything. They only tell you what the questioner wanted them to tell you, nothing more.

The other point is this is a democratic republic, go back to government classes if you need help understanding that. It does not mean that the ruling body changes course every time a poll say something. It means that people are elected to represent us for a period of time. They do what they believe the public wants, or at least its supposed to work that way.

Answer 3

Vice President Cheney should have learned from November 3 that the public is very much informed. Perhaps if he said that the public is not as informed as they should be he may have a point.

That information, however, should not come from the Administration. If someone lies once can we believe him the next time he says something? Bushco, which he is part of is full of liars and corrupt people. Just look at the indictments in the Abramoff scandal, the Valerie Plame scandal, and the Foley scandal the majority were Republicans closely allied to the Administration.

Answer 4

Cheney is absolutely right.

Polls, BTW, are not to be confused with public opinion. Public opinion is what it is, and the reflection of it may easily be distorted by the way in which a poll is conducted. That is why polls are fickle and go up and down. That is also why it is completely impractical, even destructive, to govern by polls.

Answer 5

You said "Cheney equates the opinions of the public with the capriciousness of polls" when "Cheney said Polls are fickle, they go up and down". How is he equating the public opinion with the polls? Seriously, sit back, put down the glue, get your tin foil hat, and think about this. You make absolutley no sense.

Just to respond to your stupid rant, the public does have a say in the course of this nation and it's not through polls, that's why we vote for a new administration every 4 years. Polls don't mean anything. Of course he doesn't care what anybody says on here whether they support him or not. Why? because it's a waste of time and gets nothing accomplished. Why not focus on taking care of the problems we have today instead of bitching and pointing fingers on whose fault it is? Nothing is going to get accomplished that way.

Answer 6

I think you may have the wrong idea on what he was saying or insinuating. Yes polls come out every day, every president gets posted on what the outcome is and thats how they determine the agenda for the day week or month and year based on your concerns. They do swing up and they do drop low. So to people like seabreeze and others who really don't understand how the system works it would seem like so. I two sentences from political movie that would both fit this scenario an both of them are from An American President:
I lose 10 points in the poll if Wisconsin doesn't make the Rose Bowl!
We've had great leaders who couldn't gain support points if their life depended on it and we've had leaders who were embraced and beloved leaders that could'nt find a coherant sentace in a brown paper bag!
Good movie check it out!!!!!!

Answer 7

Cheney is right about polls. They are temporary and fleeting. Putting any stock in them is foolish at best. Also, the general public usually is not informed enough to have a meaningful say in the dialogue.

Turn on the television sometimes and watch the more popular programs. Notice the national obsession with people like Paris Hilton. After you do all that, get back to me and tell me that we have an informed and intelligent population.

Answer 8

The unfortunate fact is that far too many politicians have forgotten their purpose is to serve the public--the people--not corporations or even their own interests. It is incumbent upon the voters to fire those who have forgotten this fact and choose candidates who understand their sole job is to improve the lives of Americans by making policies, laws, regulations, etc which enhance our lives.

Answer 9

We live in a republic, not a democracy. We elect representatives for a certain time.

The polls are not definitive and people are fickle. You cannot run a country by consensus.

Answer 10

that just shows how IDIOTIC those two are.

the public is irrelevant in democracy.

I THOUGHT THE PUBLUIC DECIDES DEMOCRACY!!

that how our country was designed, by the people for the people. duh cheney, it's the PUBLIC that put you there, and we can take you down too.

I think this proves that Bush and Cheney are trying to turn our country into a big brother dictatorship. By taking "the people" out if the issues, it is left Purly and souly to the government to decide whats best for me? I don't think so.

BYE BYE BUSHIE