Regarding the city’s new contract for yet another opinion survey, the questions are typically contrived for a desired result. What’s the objective this time, imposing a pet project on the residents or going on the campaign trail?

Possible sample questions:

Isn't Councilman Lance's MacLean’s gym proposal more important than world peace?
A. Yes, as long as the gym is named after Lance.
B. Yes, we have to keep him off the streets, but existing courts won’t do.
C. He's always right – he's brilliant!
D. Whatever you say, Lance.

Isn't Lance out of touch in asking for yet ANOTHER phone questionnaire?
A. Not at all. Lance is brilliant
B. Not at all. We like Lance’s ulterior motives.
C. Not at all. It will make a good platform for campaign promises.
D. A phone survey is the ONLY way since Lance doesn't listen to citizens in council sessions, and the city only has 130 employees and NONE of them are qualified to do a survey on the net, at council meetings or by mail because that would solicit responses other than the selected viewpoints of people we want to call directly who support Lance because he's already called them.

Should the city pursue the senior voters’ wishes for senior transportation that Councilwoman Trish Kelley failed to act on and will try to reactivate during her reelection bid?
A. Yes, but Lance should get the credit for not doing anything this time.
B. Yes, Lance needs a senior platform after attempting to divert funds to a gym.
C. Campaign consultants at Lance’s Irvine fundraiser said it’s a good idea.
D. I wouldn't dare question Lance's desires. He's BRILLIANT.

Should the city consider traffic issues a priority?
A. Of course, after accepting all those new housing developments, Lance has to show he's concerned about solving the biggest threats to quality living.
B. Yes, Lance plans on adding even more housing beyond the state's housing low-income goals, and another traffic study will make him look BRILLIANT!
C. Yes, we have to clear the roads at all costs to make the gym accessible to 10 basketball players for after-work fun without traffic delays.
D. Yes, if Lance can combine the two issues of senior transportation and new housing congestion into one solid campaign platform, that's BRILLIANT!

Bo Klein
Mission Viejo