My OperaGot Surveyed Last Night
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 2:16:22 PM
About 6:30 last night, The editor got called by one of those automated surveys. He actually enjoys some surveys. They sort of tell what's happening in the politics, and this is a political year.
This survey asked a few up-front questions about the Mayor and Chair of the City Council, but then it got to "Do you think taxes are too high?", and that sort of thing and then got to the 5 cents per bag tax. That seemed to be the focus of the survey. The (automated) voice was clear and quick, and obviously relied on the general experience of the population with automated voice response. There was even a question about whether the editor had ever shopped outside of the District to avoid the bag tax. That question wouldn't be there unless the questionnaire designer had been to Potomac Yards and counted the number of DC license plates. Not to say that the bag tax is causing it. The high density of DC tags at Potomac Yards probably has more to do with easy parking, a good selection of stores, lack of panhandlers, and other amenities.
The editor did allow as how he didn't think much of the bag tax, but then again he doesn't ever recall throwing a plastic bag in the Anacostia River either. Or the Potomac, now that he thinks about it. Something like the bag tax is hard to handle if you're on the City Council, though. Oppose it because it's just another tax, or causes extra hassle for small businesses, or is simply needless extra complication to daily life and you'll get portrayed as a troglodyte who wants the Anacostia dirtier. Such is political life.
It will be interesting to see who pitches the repeal of the tax in the upcoming Democratic primaries. They bought the survey.
This survey asked a few up-front questions about the Mayor and Chair of the City Council, but then it got to "Do you think taxes are too high?", and that sort of thing and then got to the 5 cents per bag tax. That seemed to be the focus of the survey. The (automated) voice was clear and quick, and obviously relied on the general experience of the population with automated voice response. There was even a question about whether the editor had ever shopped outside of the District to avoid the bag tax. That question wouldn't be there unless the questionnaire designer had been to Potomac Yards and counted the number of DC license plates. Not to say that the bag tax is causing it. The high density of DC tags at Potomac Yards probably has more to do with easy parking, a good selection of stores, lack of panhandlers, and other amenities.
The editor did allow as how he didn't think much of the bag tax, but then again he doesn't ever recall throwing a plastic bag in the Anacostia River either. Or the Potomac, now that he thinks about it. Something like the bag tax is hard to handle if you're on the City Council, though. Oppose it because it's just another tax, or causes extra hassle for small businesses, or is simply needless extra complication to daily life and you'll get portrayed as a troglodyte who wants the Anacostia dirtier. Such is political life.
It will be interesting to see who pitches the repeal of the tax in the upcoming Democratic primaries. They bought the survey.
Unregistered user # Friday, April 16, 2010 12:33:40 PM