That changed when the phone rang this afternoon and a recorded male voice informed me that they were conducting a survey about Obama's health care plan. I like the idea of having my voice heard (obviously, why else would I blog ^_^) so I stayed on the line. I'm sure I'm a little off on the wording, but this is the main idea:
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First I was asked if I was anti-abortion. I truthfully responded, "Yes," but then the voice stated something to the effect that Obama's health care would force all citizens and companies to pay for abortions! This shocked me, as I hadn't heard this argument before, and as I racked my brain for any facts I might know I was asked:"Do you agree that Obama should not force the public to pay for abortions?" Or something to that effect - I wish I had a way to record it...Of course I don't think the public should be forced to pay for abortions, but I'm pretty sure that's not part of the plan....
"You must respond Yes, No or Repeat!"
"Repeat..."
Ugh, my statistics teacher was right, surveys are easily manipulated.
The repetition comes to an end. What should I say? I can't argue with a machine... I pause for maybe 3 seconds...
"Thank you for your support!"
What?!?! I didn't say I support you!
"Do you agree that marriage should be between one man and one woman?"
What does this have to do with health care?
"Are you a man over 55?"
"No!"
"Have you ever donated to any campaign or religious organization?"
"Yes!"
"Would you be able to support our anti-abortion campaign?"
"No"
"Thank you for your time."
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So, does Obama's health plan propose that we all fund abortions?
Not according to FactCheck.org
"In fact, none of the health care overhaul measures that have made it through the committee level in Congress say that abortion will be covered, and one of them explicitly says that no public funds will be used to finance the procedure. Furthermore, none of the bills call explicitly for cuts in Medicare coverage, much less rationing, under a public plan."
I am so SICK of all the lies and distortions! This robo call twists their lie in a way that most likely has nothing to do with the survey, although I'm sure now my "voice" will be incorrectly reported as one of a "majority who oppose Obama's health plan." More scary to me is that now many people who got the call will truly believe that Obama wants us to fund abortions, like they think he wants to kill off Grandma, and take away our options. Why can't the truth spread as easily as the lies?
2 comments:
Wow! Great story, Heather Ann. I've heard rumors about these robocalls, but to hear a first hand account of it is just crazy!
I wonder, is their purpose to get money out of people, or is it just to plant the (false) idea about publicly funded abortions in peoples' minds?
Either way, your response probably screwed up their statistics! Good job!
Ya, I'm sure they wouldn't mind getting money from people, but I imagine this was more about the false idea. I don't know who put out the add, they mentioned a name but it was long and they said it fast, so I never really caught it. I'm sure the fact that the insurance companies stand to lose a LOT of money if they are forced to actually compete for customers makes no public option more important than any amount of donations.
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