66% approve of Kronos Q. Rolo best Congressman?

Day 1,550, 09:37 • Published in Canada Canada • by Alias Vision

First a warning, this is likely to be my most biased article to date. There are a few reasons for this, I will talk about some throughout this article.

Let's start by the basic metrics. I retained 53 responses for the sample to the survey. I received a greater number than that but for the first time, I could obviously identify multies. That isn't to say that mutlies or drones did not answer my questions in the past, only the handlers of those accounts have been clever enough to mask their operations.

But 53 answers is still a good number and one that triggered two random draws for $1,000. The winners of those draws are Goran Thrax and jfstpierre. Congratulations, the amounts will be in your possession by the time you read this.

I appear to have hit the glass ceiling with this type of community activity, slightly above 50+ participants, 38 or so votes. Up to now my impression was that those that chose to participate where pretty serious and pretty open in the way they answered the questions. This time there was an obvious agenda and an obvious block trying to make a statement. If the intention was to test me, to see if I would change the data, censure it or want to find out who answered what... well you succeeded, partially.

I was tempted. Many answers had me extremely curious to see who it was completing the survey. In an effort to keep the number of questions to 10 or less, I had eliminated the party affiliation question... an error. I hadn't foreseen just how partisan a "best of" questionnaire could be and I should have. I didn't cross-reference the answers though and I kept to my practice of separating the IDs from the rest of the survey to preserve as much confidentiality as possible. No answers were changed and the only edits performed were consistency ones (i.e. eliminating people nominated as best Congressman if they hadn't actually been elected to Congress in the past three months).

Initial observation.

The first three surveys had an important under-reporting when it came to the Rolo Tahmasee factor (party? cult? sect?). This time, that voting block mobilized and I estimate represented about 20% of the sample (vs. 5-10% previously).



The activity pattern question shows that the sample remains consistent in measuring the opinions of the active population base. The number of very active citizens remained virtually unchanged at 71.7%.

Confidence.



The mood in the Canadian community appears mixed. Although the question is worded differently than in a previous survey and so the results are not directly comparable, 37.7% answered that Canada was doing better than the previous month. 39.6% said we were doing the same. Since the confidence factor previously was over 50%, that actually suggests a rather positive view on our overall situation.

What the questions don't measure, and can't measure without a much longer survey, is why people feel that way. What does the 22.6% who think we are doing worse base their judgement on. This "why" question would be a recurring theme for me as I compiled the data from each query.



Confidence in our President Kronos Q is strong. 66% approve of the job he is doing which suggest his solid win has translated into goodwill in his first couple of weeks. What will be interesting to see is if this holds up in the second half of his mandate as the political deck in Canada has been thoroughly shuffled with the recent party elections. Suddenly Rolo Tahmasee is a source of stress once more for the community.

Taxes.

Taxes are never popular but within the constraint of the society we live in, it is often the only subject left for us to tinker with. Not surprisingly answers were all over the map when asked if you approved of the tax changes this past month and if taxes were at an appropriate level or not.

41.5% approve of the tax changes but that is only slightly higher than those that disapprove. Considering the overall wealth of Canada's older, established population, the 20% who answered no opinion could be interpreted as these changes, small as they are, really have no impact.



Good luck to Congress on deciding where to go from here. Almost a third each in turn answered that taxes should be raised, lowered or remain the same. No matter what is decided, two thirds of voters are likely to disagree with your decision. Until the economy and the mechanics stabilize once more, a structured plan has about as much worth as a random one when it comes to public finances.



War.

The decision to declare Denmark a natural enemy (NE) raised a few eyebrows. Those that voiced opposition to it did so loudly. There was confusion on which front Canada was going to focus on and whether or not a smaller nation like ours could afford to keep spreading ourselves thinner.



The change of pace, strategy, was welcome. It turns out that 81.1% supported the NE move. Canada has danced with the same partner for so long that we are open to any potential for change. That it may have been the wrong move to make was not as important as it showed a willingness of the current administration to keep the pressure up, to stay aggressive.

Best of.

First of, the best Canadian President of all time. I expected to see three names on the ballots before all others: Adam Sutler, Addy Lawrence and Jacobi. The first because it is just one of those things, the other two because of their tenure. To my surprise Sutler got only one token vote. 18 past President received a mention, only two ballots selected none.

Here are the top 5:



It is I think wholly justified and appropriate that Jacobi and Addy Lawrence lead the pack. Both were nominated by an identical 58.5% of respondents and Jacobi wins by aggregate points once people's first, second and third choices are counted.

What makes a good President, potentially the best? I had to expand my own view to try and understand some of the answers. Good presidents should leave Canada a better place than what it was previous to their term(s). Good presidents should make the experience of their citizens a better one. Good presidents should build on the foundations left by their predecessors... or should they? What I am discounting in that brief list is the personal touch. The best may be the one that is simply your friend. Or the one that helped you the most personally. Finally it may be the one who allowed you to profit the most. And that is still simplifying things. Elapsed time plays a role too.

The list of the best from 6 to 10 is the following:



On a personal note, I find this list difficult. You may be influential, you may even be game changing, but that doesn't mean you are the best. The most difficult thing around here is to build. To destroy, to troll is easy. Some of the votes on this question were political statements.

Also receiving mentions were: William Duncan, Chucky Norris, Dade Pendwyn, Adam Sutler, Ariela, Derek Harland, jbdivinus and myself.

The best current Congressman was equally mystifying. Initially it shows a level of dismissal of the work Congress does that is at least partially justified. The 22.6% who said none legitimately measure dissatisfaction with the visibility of Congress and how people operate within that body.



The 17% of those who chose Rolo and have helped him lead the list...

In a future survey I may ask different questions and perhaps focus on this enigma that is the Rolo cult following. I can hear some say, "don't feed the troll" and I hear you. But the reality is that in a small country like Canada, when one person manages to harness 20-25% of voters consistently... he is important. Rolo may be a great guy, he may be your best friend but for someone who has shamelessly exploited the offices of President and Congress... If you can be honest, you will admit he does not belong on the lists published here today.

Most controversial... yes.
Most relentless... definitely.
Most dedicated... arguably.
Most influential... getting there.

And the list could go on. Best President? Best Congressman? Mock me, that is what the comments are for, but spare the survey.

32 present and past Congressmen received mentions, the rest of the list includes: Gary Hubert, Chochi, Trenton Rendell, Octavian_F, Ralph Kline, George Beeman, Kronos Q, Simon Boucher-Ruest, James McNamara, egad, PimpDollaz, Sasha Kammakitz-Jen, Dr.Pain, Dierios, Jorge Salazar, Donna Rush, ultimate523, Nogin the nog, Prince A Joseph, Ehab, CFovetS, Jolabent.