3/16/09

Interpreting Last Week's Poll Results

punditman says...

Last week's Punditman poll posed the question:
How has the Global Financial Crisis Affected you Personally?

Twenty-seven votes were cast.

Two of you have actually lost your jobs as a result of the economic meltdown (7%), which is around the "official" unemployment rate. We wish you luck. Peacenik will buy you both a pint if he meets you, because he is part of the 38% of working Canadians who are covered by workplace pensions. He's also a nice guy––for a doomer.

Five of you know someone who has lost his/her job recently (18%). These laid off workers are obviously too busy pounding the pavement to participate in a Punditman poll, thus skewing Punditman's unemployment stats downward to government levels. In any case, you five should buy these unlucky folks a pint and wish them luck. Unless you are also one of the two who lost their jobs, in which case, as stated earlier, Peacenik will buy you a pint.

Nine of you said you have lost a lot of savings/investments, (33%) while six of you, including, Punditman said, "What savings/investments?"(22%). This is where it gets interesting. Economic crisis is the great equalizer, bringing about instant fraternity, equality and brother/sister hood. Mr. Lost Nest Egg meets Ms. Lower Middle Class. Mrs. Lost Investor meets Mr. Insolvency. Punditman says you nine should seek out us six and together we can all discuss our commonalities as we paint the town overdraft red. Separate bills for all.

Eleven of you are employed worker bee/worry wart types who said, "I am employed but I worry a lot" (40%). You should maybe seek counseling or drugs, while both still exist. Or ask Peacenik to buy you a pint.

One of you is unemployed but doesn't worry a lot (3%). That was meant as a joke, but more power to you. Peacenik will buy you a pint in exchange for tips on living off the grid, gardening and archery.

Speaking of drugs, we have four Pink Floyd listeners who got the "Money" song reference. The rest of you either have no sense of humour, are under the age of twelve or over the age of 112.

Finally, four of you scoundrels don't see a crisis at all (14%). First of all, put away the old Supertramp album.

Secondly, we think maybe you should stop snorting blow with those rolled up thousand dollar bills you found within the folds of your golden parachute.

Jokers. Peacenik will not buy you a pint.