I don't think there is any possible way to get a survey when polling the masses that tells more than their opinion at that particular time. The only thing 'scientific' is that it is maybe an accurrate poll of opinion but it is not science which details the fact or fiction of problems.
In the 15th century, if the general masses were polled and asked, "Do you believe the earth is round or is the earth flat?" In a free speach society without persecution or coercsion.... it is possible opinions might vary but even then the majority might have said the earth is flat' because that is the best that they knew.
There are many people I may recognize by name.... but barely know. A poll which questioned me about them would most likely have plenty of 'don't know' or positive response based upon what little I did know. But acquaint me with their names, their occupations and contributions, their values, their lifestyles and I'm more likely to have a mix of opinions ......still based upon limited information, some positive, some maybe negative. What changed? First of all, I'm inclined to consider individuals in a positive way and my preference as to what I read, what entertains, the news programs I watch may be the only and limited sources by which I recognize the issues.
With health care it is the same way. If the only health care I'm familiar with is private or insured health care and all other knowledge of public type care or how health care works in other countries is what I've heard on media.... then the complaints of those in my own country, and the accolades of others extolling the virtues of their system and the highlighting of the virtues in a system made by man.... where the failures or the complaints are seldom presented for my comparison of their realities.... and it may be persuasive that a public system is better. Still, if polled, what is my response but an opinion which is carefully shaped by the sources of my knowledge and experience.... both limited and unscientific?
This health care reform which is being pushed is the most serious effort which threatens or promises change ever advanced to the levels of decision which have forced the public to take a serious look at the reasons behind our prior assumptions and complaints and to look for more than opinions expressed by others who have a different system and have little knowledge or experience with our system to present a balanced objective view. It maybe also that in our failing economic conditions.... those who relied on having the best health care their money and insurance could buy, are discovering that even in our own system.... there are doctors who understand and deliver discount services.... one has to find them; there are drug companies which are supplying free drugs or discounted drugs to the needy who cannot afford them...one has to find which companies and how their programs work; there are public and private grants going into programs supporting expensive research into better medications and improved technologies.... which sets our nation apart and the leader in much innovation in health care; plus the freedom and the right of our people to chose for themselves alopathic or alternative choices or a blend which works best for them.
Our people are watching the development and treatment of this global flu 'crisis' elsewhere... and watching our own country's response. People are begining to see that the complaints they thought they had with private payer is different than the limits faced by those in government programs of health care as represented by the VA response to verterans, those on social security dependant on Medicare and Medicaid, the public health care systems mixed response to the flu vaccine available after making promises and having time to plan distribution. These are beginning to become part of the new perspective on public vs private and factor in to the response to poll responses by the observant public.
Still, polls represent gross divisions or agreements of opinions. It is a poor decision for a person to represent the best interest of the people or make law based upon no more information than a poll.
