A Survey

I was just emailed a request to fill out a survey by Surverygizmo.com. There was no indicator who it was from or who sponsored it. Considering the length of the survey, it was probably a George Soros front site. Caveat survey. (My comments/criticisms are in parentheses.)

After filling out demographics, I received the following questions.

Do you think things are going in the right direction in the Country: No.

Do you think things are going in the right direction in Florida: Yes.

What do you think is the most important problem facing Florida today: Lack of political and social sense of togetherness.

What is your opinion of each of the following people and groups: (‘Neither’ was not an option)

What is your opinion of Democrats in Congress: Strongly unfavorable.

What is your opinion of Donald Trump: Strongly unfavorable.

What is your opinion of AI data centers: Strongly unfavorable.

What is your opinion of renewable energy companies: Somewhat favorable.

What is your opinion of Republicans in Congress: Somewhat unfavorable.

What is your opinion of clean energy companies: Somewhat favorable.

What is your opinion of electric utility companies: Strongly favorable.

What is your opinion of oil & gas companies: Somewhat favorable.

Thinking about your home electricity and utility bills, would you say they have gotten more expensive, stayed the same, or are less expensive since this time last year: 

Somewhat less expensive (This is meaningless since I had solar panels installed since then)

Now, you will answer some questions about the environment and energy? Sure

Do you support or oppose the United States expanding its production and use of energy from wind, solar, and other clean energy sources? Strongly support

For each of the following, please indicate which party you trust more to handle the following issues: Democrats or Republicans. Please try to select one even if you may not support them.

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans? Republicans 

Holding polluters accountable for polluting air and water? 

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans?vRepublicans (This is knee jerk. Neither party cares about anything except getting reelected. Since this is no longer a democracy, we don’t count)

Producing more clean energy, such as wind, solar, and batteries in the United States

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans? Democrats (ditto)

Reducing regulations on building more energy

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans? Repucans (ditto)

Holding energy companies accountable for price gouging

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans? Democrats (ditto)

Building a modern and resilient electric grid

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans? Democrats (ditto. This one is laughably unrealistic)

Lowering energy bills

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans? Democrats (ditto)

Addressing climate change

Which do you trust more: Democrats or Republicans? Democrats (ditto)

You will now read a list of proposals that a member of Congress could support. Please select the top three that are the most important actions for elected officials to take by dragging your #1 choice to the top, your #2 choice to the middle, and your #3 choice to the bottom. Please select exactly three items.

My 3 choices were energy related.

Upgrading the energy grid…

Produce more clean energy…

Building energy infrastructure…

In the past year and a half, dozens of projects to build and expand clean energy production in the United States have been canceled. 

Do you support or oppose restarting these clean energy projects? Strongly support.

Some elected officials in Congress are considering a three part plan to address rising energy costs. This plan includes providing immediate rate relief for American families, keeping costs down through speeding up affordable clean energy projects and rebuilding the grid, and holding utilities and corporate polluters accountable.

Based on this information, how much do you trust elected officials in Congress to implement this plan? Trust a fair amount (Poor question. The options are not coequal)

And thinking about the proposed plan, would you say that you trust Democrats or Republicans in Congress more to implement this plan? Trust Democrats somewhat more

What is the primary reason you trust Democrats to implement this plan? Reputation (Probably not earned. There are no JFK democrats today.)

Now you are going to see additional information about each component of the proposed plan. (Ah. Now the agenda of the survey)

In the short-term, to deliver immediate economic relief for American families now, this plan proposes direct bill assistance and implementing an American Utility Rate Relief Fund to support states that freeze or lower residential electricity rates for four years. 

Do you support or oppose the short-term component of the plan? Strongly support (Loaded question. I support kittens, too.)

To keep costs down in the long-term, this plan proposes speeding up the use of American-made affordable clean energy and building a modern electric grid. 

Do you support or oppose the long-term component of the plan? Somewhat support (I want cake. Eat, too.)

The final component of the plan is to fight corporate greed by taxing huge AI companies to make them pay for modernizing the grid, so customers don't get stuck with the bill, and making corporate polluters pay their fair share and holding them accountable for the environmental and public health harms they are causing. 

Do you support or oppose this component of the plan? Strongly support (And I want my scapegoats to wear Snidely Whiplash mustaches)\

For the next few questions, think about all three components of the proposed plan:

● Delivering immediate economic relief for American families now by implementing an American Utility Rate Relief Fund to support states that freeze or lower residential electricity rates for four years;

● Keeping costs down in the longer-term by speeding up the use of American-made affordable clean energy and building a modern electricity grid;

● Fighting corporate greed taxing huge AI companies to make them pay for modernizing the grid, so customers don’t get stuck with the bill, and making corporate polluters pay their fair share and holding them accountable for the environmental and public health harms they are causing.

Regardless of whether or not you support the plan, what do you like about the proposed plan and the three components? Please be as specific as possible: 1. This is commendable and should be happening already. 2. These are mutually exclusive. 3. This is tilting at windmills and Washington Swamp bread and butter. 

Now, what concerns do you have about the proposed plan and the three components? Please be as specific as possible. Massive graft, money laundering, pandering to the public (ref: This survey,) Corruption.

Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.

I trust my energy providers to make decisions that put our needs and priorities first.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Somewhat disagree

Rising energy costs have changed my household budget and spending habits outside of the way I heat or cool my home.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Strongly disagree

The Iran War shows that we need to diversify our energy away from oil and gas.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Somewhat agree (The Iran war shows that our hegemony must be broken. American Hegemony delende est)

Tech companies building data centers are driving up my electricity bill.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Somewhat agree (Pending evidence)

Increasing the production of clean energy will make my utility bills cheaper.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Somewhat agree (Ditto)

I trust Congress to make decisions about our energy that put our needs and priorities first.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Strongly disagree (I trust congress to betray us at every turn)

The United States is currently in a severe energy crisis.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Strongly disagree (You have no clue what ‘severe’ means)

Increasing the production of fossil fuel energy, like oil and gas, will make my utility bills cheaper.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Strongly agree (Change requires self sacrifice)

Climate change is a significant threat, and elected officials need to take action to address it.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Somewhat agree (two questions in one)

The US will get left behind if we don’t prioritize clean energy technologies like wind, solar, batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicles.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Somewhat agree (They cherry picked solutions)

Rising energy costs have changed the way I heat or cool my home.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Strongly disagree

Even if neither is exactly right, which statement comes closer to your view:

The best way to lower energy costs is to use all available sources of energy to maximize energy production, including fossil fuels. (Only two either/or options were provided)

Now, even if none of these is exactly right, which statement comes closest to your view:

The best way to lower energy costs is to use all available sources of energy to maximize energy production, including fossil fuels. (At least they provided 3 options, each with its own merits and detractions)

Next, you will read about some specific policy solutions that have been proposed to address issues related to energy as a part of the three point plan you were introduced to earlier.

You will read about potential components of the plan to help address the rising costs of energy. After each component, please indicate how much you agree with that policy, and how much of an impact it would have on your quality of life.

Providing support to families to help pay their energy bills, provide energy efficiency upgrades, and stop utilities from shutting off their energy: Strongly support (Anything we can get our government to do for us is a step in the right direction)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Very negative impact

Enacting a 4-year national utility rate freeze to stop rising electric bills from getting worse: Strongly oppose (Since Diocletian, price control has never worked…)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Very negative (Massive shortishes would ensue. You wouldn’t like it)

Taxing AI companies to pay for building cheaper, clean energy and modernization of the grid infrastructure we need to keep electricity costs down: Strongly support (Canceling AI projects was not an option.)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Very positive impact (AI would go away-a good thing)

Taxing profits for Big Oil and Gas companies and returning those funds to consumers

Do you support or oppose this policy? Strongly support (The Robber Barons pay too little tax now)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Somewhat positive impact (Negligible-It would be sucked up by some other boondoggle, anyway)

For families struggling with utility bills, installing solar panels and batteries that give surplus power back to the grid while reducing energy bills

Do you support or oppose this policy? Somewhat support (What affect, if any, won’t be known until the treasure is sown. By then people will be looking at the next thing.)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted?

Do you support or oppose this policy? Somewhat support (ditto)

Building more clean energy like wind and solar now, which are now among the cheapest and fastest sources of energy

Do you support or oppose this policy? Somewhat support (Leading question. Your sponsors are showing.)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Somewhat positive impact (Unknown)

Building a modern and reliable electric grid that meets our growing power needs.

Do you support or oppose this policy? Somewhat support (leading question.)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Somewhat positive impact (Unanswerable due to premise in the first question)

Making AI data center companies pay their fair share for the energy, water, and infrastructure they use. Strongly support

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Somewhat positive impact (Unknown)

Canceling taxpayer-funded handouts and tax breaks for Big Oil and Gas companies 

Do you support or oppose this policy? Somewhat support (Leading question)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Somewhat positive impact (Unknown)

Cracking down on utility companies’ price gouging, excessive corporate profits, and ratepayer funding being used for lobbying: 

Do you support or oppose this policy? Somewhat support (Leading question)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Somewhat positive (Unknown)

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Somewhat positive impact (Unknown)

Temporarily stopping construction of new data centers until safeguards are put in place that protect consumers, communities, and workers

Do you support or oppose this policy? Strongly support 

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Very positive impact

And how much of an impact would this have on your quality of life if this policy were enacted? Very positive impact (It would stop AI and therefore won’t happen)

Now, thinking about the components of the plan that you just saw, please select the top three that are the most important actions for elected officials to take by dragging your #1 choice to the top, your #2 choice to the middle, and your #3 choice to the bottom. Please select exactly three items.

Providing support to families…

Temporarily stopping construction of new data centers…

Making AI data centers pay their fair share…

And now thinking about the proposed plan, would you say that you trust Republicans or Democrats in Congress more to implement this plan?

Trust Democrats more (Neither was not an option)

These last questions are for statistical purposes only.

I give you three-to-five they aren’t

You consider yourself politically...Moderate

Do you generally think of yourself as a… Something else/Some other party (Post Rand Libertarian)

In the November 2024 election for President, did you vote for: Someone else (than Trump, Harris, or noone)

There is an unanswered question on this page. Would you like to continue? Answer this question (How exciting!)

What is the highest level of education you completed in school? (Lame) 

Graduate or professional degree (MA, Master's, PhD, MBA, Doctorate)

What is your most important source of information about state and national news? 

YouTube (Yes, I know. I screen my choices. Judge Nap, for instance.)

Are you or is any member of your household a member of a union or employee association? No (Or the communist party? Who remembers that reference.)

Do you… 

Own or are buying the home or apartment where you live

And what energy method(s) do you use to heat your home? Please select all that apply.

Propane

Electric (Should specify line or rooftop panel. I have both.)

What would you estimate is your average total monthly electric bill? Is it…

$250-299 (And rising sharply)

In terms of your job status, are you…

Retired

What was your total household income before taxes for 2025?

$##,### - $##,###

Do you consider yourself to be a…

Man

THANK YOU

(No problem)

Post Survey thoughts.

Survey takers learn how to form, administer, and interpret a survey in a college environment. There are gnarly, Calculus-laden Stats classes they must master, writing classes in survey prose, and what constitutes a valid question. 

For instance, in the late 50’s, a survey company wanted to poll the republic on the likability of John F. Kennedy. One of the questions asked was if his Roman Catholicism would influence their vote. Kennedy was asked to comment on the survey (how novel considering the paparazzi character of the information sector today.)

He asked how many people would get the survey. It was a significant amount. He asked that the question be reworded so as not to put ideas in people’s minds. It’s a survey, not propaganda. 

This was a legitimate request and the survey company complied.

There were still adults in public spaces back then. Were it so today.

Many of the questions were leading, one assumed the validity of what it was querying, and several were unknowable and therefore unanswerable.

It took a while to decern that the bias of the survey was toward renewable energy and against government and corporate regulation (Hope vs. interference – One man’s futuristic vision is another man’s dystopia.) Like many beliefs we cherish, this one was a morality tale.

And lastly, human beings are not rational players. We are rationalizing players. We rationalize a decision already made by our visceral drives which lay at the foundations of our psyche. These are not even emotions. Our emotions are flecks of light dancing over the waters of a river flowing through the woods. They filter through the breeze swayed bows of willow trees on the banks. 

Visceral does not mean primitive, not in the sense of how we use the word. We think of primitive as archaic and uncultured as opposed to being modern and proper. The very epitome of civilized. St. Paul’s ‘carnal man’ as opposed to his ‘spiritual man,’ or the devil/angel pair on our shoulders come to mind. I think they’ve gotten a bad wrap.

Our visceral drives are the bedrock of who we are. Below thought, below reason, below vocabulary or opinion. They are our core values that drive our every action, both the good ones and the bad. They are so ingrained in our psyches that we barely notice they are there. 

When you find it hard to break yourself of a bad habit, be glad. It’s also hard to break yourself of a good habit. We can endure much suffering and hardship in the name of a good cause precisely because they are ultimately visceral. Though we may change our opinions, we never change our core drives. We dig in and say, with Martin Luther, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” 

That’s who we are.

All-in-all this survey is pointless. The Government-Corporate-Propaganda Complex, Mussolini's fascism, is going to eat us all, the earth, every other country on it, the flora and fauna, all of its resources, and, eventually, itself in a horrendous glut of greed and excess unless it is stopped and chained to a mountaintop by some jealous god. I consider the Democrats and woke liberals to be at the forefront of this decay, though the rest are not far behind. For the past 250 years, all liberal movements have eventually decayed into fascism. We are diving, mouth open and eyes closed, into an overflowing cesspool.

Iran is doing a good job of that right now. The Face of the American Post-Republic is so accustomed to getting its own way that it is frozen in a stunned shock of disbelief that somebody, anybody, is successfully saying “No!” to it. I only hope it can dissipate without taking the country and the world with it. Time will tell. All we can do is huddle together in the shadows for support and pray for a better future. 

And I emphasize ‘together.’ We have been ‘divide-and-ruled’ for too long. Let us come together for this one time and breathe a collective, “No,” to the walking carcass of our civilization. Just for once.

We have lost control of our beloved republic and the fascists in charge are not about to give it up. Sadly, it will take more than hotly answered surveys to bring it back.

I fear what that might be.