Minority? Not According to the polls!

The politicians running town hall meetings continue to insist that the opposition to the overhaul of the US Health Care system currently being proposed is a very loud and well orchestrated minority. That allegation is not being born out by the pollsters.

The most recent public opinion polls show that a majority of Americans - do not back Obama's call for a government-run plan. And political analysts say polling - not town hall meetings -- is the most accurate way to measure public sentiment.
"Polling information measures public opinion on a much broader scale -- it includes everyone," said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
"Most people don't have the ability to go to town hall meetings -- they have to work. If anyone does take a day off, it tells you they're not the norm," he said. Polling measures public opinion on a broader scale, giving a more accurate random sample.
While Sabato added that one way of gauging public opinion at town halls is to ask for a "show of hands" in response to questions, he said short of the ballot box, polling is the most efficient method of measuring the so-called "majority."

The most accurate way to determine the majority would be a referendum - a national vote. But there would be nothing "simple" about it. The country has never held a national referendum.
The idea was raised during Specter's town hall meeting when a participant suggested that the issue be decided by a majority rule. A national referendum would also require everyone with a horse in the race - to actually get out and vote.

"That's a fascinating idea, to have a referendum," Specter replied. "That's one of the ideas I'm going to take back to Washington," he added, though he noted that the federal government lacks any mechanism to hold a referendum. Note that Specter said he would take the idea back to Washington, not that he would get behind it and actually do anything.

In the meantime if you are not able to get to a town hall meeting flood the inbox, and mailbox of your Senators and Representatives with your opinion. While opponents of reform may be corralled into the same small corner that lawmakers like McCaskill and Specter say contains a minority, it is another way to be heard. Stay engaged in this process - they work for us - we hired them we can fire them.