In my area was a land-use measure, a tobacco tax to fund health care, and a couple of others.

The wealthy developers funded a massive campaign against the land-use proposition and the tobacco companies spent more than anyone ever has in Oregon against the tobacco tax. Both people used very deceptive points in their campaigns.

Interestingly enough, I thought, I was a party to a telephone poll on the tobacco tax. I was called and asked any number of questions regarding whether I was in favor of the tax or not, if I was aware of the main points in the measure and then, what I thought was fascinating, who I would listen to if they did not endorse the measure.

Would I listen to a doctor, nurse, health educator, fireman, policeman, teacher, the Governor and various other politicians, and a number of other notables?

I believe they were using that data to fashion their campaign. No one but the tobacco companies could have afforded a survey such as that.

I wasn't much help. I pretty well told them there wasn't anything I could imagine that could cause me to vote against it, though a few of the people mentioned could give me reason to rethink the matter.

Arf