The state Republican party has sent out a "survey" to Republicans asking their views on pending legislative issues. I put the word "survey" in quotation marks because no reputable polling organization would really consider this a survey. The questions are so loaded they are ridiculous.  

One problem is limited options. For example, the Republicans asked about the New Century Scholarship fund and provided the following options for respondents:

    "Cut this program completely."
    "Utah cannot afford to continually fund this scholarship."
    "Fund the scholarship, but reduce the number of students."
    "Fund the scholarship, but require students to use the funds at state colleges."
    "Fund the scholarship, but allow students to use the funds at private colleges."

Undecided?

There is no option for someone who doesn't want to change the program at all.

 Another problem is the loaded question. Here's an example. They asked if the respondent supported or opposed legislation "[t]hat would allow Utah to take steps to opt out of provisions that would raise taxes and harm businesses if a 'Cap and Trade' agreement passes Congress."  

And then there's just inaccurate information.

The "survey" asks if the respondent is "aware that the Ethics Commission would consist of members who have life time appointments." The initiative doesn't say anything of the sort. Another question about the initiative asks whether the individual "would prefer laws that create an increased transparency in lobbyist activities." Of course, the Ethics Initiative does that, but the Republicans want to leave the impression it does not.

Finally, there's the push-polling element. One question for a respondent to mark is "I have/would sign the 21 page Citizens Ethics Initiative without reading it."  That is of course an effort to discourage people from signing an initiative to put the issue on the ballot so voters can have the choice as to whether to vote for it in November. The Republicans have said they opposed giving voters that choice, although the majority of Republicans in the state support the initiative. The Republican Party leadership want to use this "survey" to get their partisans back in line.  

Clearly, this is not an attempt to solicit opinion. Rather, it is designed to "push" public opinion in a certain direction. If it is designed to make the Republican legislators feel better that they are representing their constituents' wishes, then it will merely continue their self-delusion.  However, if they want to trumpet these results as somehow a reflection of the public's will, then they need to be called on how their "survey" is anything but. Perhaps even worse is the lost opportunity to let constituents really express their views. What a novel concept.