Opinion: Political Pollsters Are Calling. Will You Answer?

  • October 16, 2021, 7:35 am America/Los_Angeles
Polling

Welcome Irvine voters to early polling!

Has your phone started ringing with “caller unknown” calls?  Some brave Irvine residents who have answered these anonymous calls are getting quizzed on their opinions of candidates, and on other Irvine issues, with a focus on the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA).

It is awfully early for the polling to start given that the election isn’t until November 2022. But special interests are always ready to get ahead of the game. At one time — before my eyes were opened to the true nature of city politics — I anxiously and enthusiastically answered these polls. I wanted to have my opinion influence the shape of our awesome city’s future, so I was eager to be heard by those running for office.

But the fact that polling in our municipal politics is so rife with abuse demands that we watch it closely, identify the true intentions behind it, and do our best to discern the hidden actors behind those intentions.

Legit Polling or Digging Up Dirt? 

So, who is behind this current line of questions being asked? That remains unclear. But Watchdog has learned that the following questions were included in the survey, which we report to you so that you can make your own informed decisions about the special interests at work in our politics, and so that you can avoid serving as an unwitting participant in anonymous political tactics that you would not otherwise support.

  • What is your opinion about:
    • Anthony Kuo
    • Cottie Petrie-Norris
    • David Min
    • Farrah Khan
    • John Park
    • Kathleen Treseder
    • Katie Porter
    • Larry Agran
    • Lauren Johnson-Norris
    • Mark Newgent
    • Mike Carroll
    • Steven Choi
    • Sydney Wu
    • Tammy Kim
  • Are you concerned about the Great Park?
  • Are you familiar with the Veterans Cemetery?
  • Do you prefer the Veterans Cemetery to be located in Anaheim or Irvine?
  • Would you support housing development in the land originally designated for the cemetery in Irvine?
  • Have you heard of the OC Power Authority?
  • Do you support the OC Power Authority?
  • Three people named Smith, Miller, and Jones are discussing OCPA. Whom do you agree with most?
    • Smith supports OCPA, because he’s excited about the possibilities for Irvine.
    • Miller supports OCPA somewhat but is skeptical.
    • Jones opposes OCPA, because he doesn’t want another governmental agency.
  • Do you support Irvine increasing its tax revenue by allowing cannabis dispensaries?
  • Would you be more supportive if the dispensaries were located in the Irvine Business Complex?

How Will You Answer?

What will you do when your phone rings?  Personally, I would go through the poll answering only “I don’t know” just so I can hear the questions. But I hope you will consider declining to participate because the best answer to the special interests and their paid political operatives is to stay informed, demand transparency and accountability in government, and not allow their campaigns of misinformation and manipulation to have free reign over our elections.