The Japan Times runs "polls" about once a week where they "survey" reader opinions on various subjects. Some folks would say that these types of polls are completely meaningless since they only measure the number responses to a restricted set of pre-chosen choices---none of which may even express a person's opinion---and the fact that they measure only the responses of people who visit the Japan Times and respond to meaningless polls. Then there are the cranks who will select the most absurd response on the poll just to screw up an already screwy poll.
For the last week the Japan Times has run a poll (A piece of your mind: Campaign conditions) asking about hypothetical changes to Japan's extremely restrictive campaign laws. 1441 people have replied as of today. The most popular hypothetical revision? Limit the volume level of loud speakers with 60% support. A distant second is a cap on campaign spending (!!!) at 17%. Third is to allow politicians to update their blogs and websites during the campaign at 12%. Last is to allow door-to-door canvassing at 3%.
Just hoping the respondents are joking or else it would make one question if a large number of these 1441 people have any idea what is going on in Japan.
Friday, August 14, 2009
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I read the JT. I can't vote. I don't like noise. I'm with the majority on this one.
ReplyDeleteOur Man, I figure since the nutters in brown sound trucks can run around everywhere (or hang out in front of a victim's house) spouting idiocy, politicians should not be denied the same right.
ReplyDeleteI don't bleeding think anyone ought to have a friggin' loudspeaker truck, unless they are emergency personnel doing emergency-related work.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I would disagree with that. I do think, however, if politicians were permitted to update their websites, use twitter, spend money to campaign rather than for persuading by cash, and even do door-to-door canvassing (they can't be any worse than the NHK guy) that they could more easily get their message out.
ReplyDeleteThen perhaps the necessity of campaigning by scream would be reduced. Perhaps.