Who Cares What You Think?

The wingnuts have been watching with horror as Bush's approval ratings fall. But they've quickly come to a satisfying explanation: Americans are idiots.

Writing very poorly in the Moonie Times, Ben Barber rages:

What qualifies those surveyed to have an opinion on Mr. Bush's economic or foreign policies? Is it anything more than subjective conclusions? The poll doesn't say. Indeed, it cannot say.

Damn those unqualified citizens! Expressing opinions about an unelected leader! The nerve! Only the qualified are allowed to have opinions.

Blockheaded Barber continues:

The first question in the Gallup survey asks, "Based on what you have heard or read, please say whether you favor or oppose each of the following economic proposals."

Heard or read? Heard from whom and read in what? Do we know where the respondents are getting their information?

Yes, Barber is outraged that the respondents were asked to base their opinions of Bush's economic policies based on what they "heard or read." Maybe he would prefer that respondents to base their opinions on their dreams, or the effects of subliminal brainwashing.

Barber then demonstrates his ignorance of the word antithetical:

When it comes to his handling of Iraq, the Gallup Poll shows two seemingly antithetical results. The poll says 42 percent of Americans disapprove of the way Mr. Bush is handling foreign affairs, the highest disapproval he has received on this issue. But the poll also shows a majority (51 percent) believe Iraq poses a greater threat to the United States than North Korea, which is what the president has said. Why this double-mindedness? Possibly it is the confusion produced in many minds between reality and the media's perception of reality.

First of all, the numbers don't even overlap. And, of course, one can believe that Iraq is a greater threat to the country than North Korea and quite consistently also believe that Bush's foreign policy -- on Iraq, North Korea and every other country -- is a catastrophe.

Finally, Barber blasts the great unwashed, sneering, "[m]ost Americans pay little attention to economics, except their own." Yes, that's the economy, stupid. And that's why Bush's numbers are in the crapper, and why a growing number are ready to flush.

Americans aren't idiots, Ben. Except the ones who take you seriously.