I’m guessing you’ve heard about the NY Times/CBS News health care poll released last night — timed, of course, to ensure extended coverage on the influential Sunday political talk show circuit. The headline making the copy/paste rounds today is some form of the following: Majority of Americans Support Public Health Care Option. But what should be grabbing your attention is the more bizarre revelations in this poll. It seems most Americans are happy with their health insurance and the costs incurred but those same Americans have bought the media’s talking points hook, line and sinker.

Take the responses to these five questions into consideration.

Question #1: Thinking about the country as a whole, are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of health care in this country? Would you say you are very (satisfied/dissatisfied) or somewhat (satisfied/dissatisfied)?

poll1

We’re looking at a 48-48 tie; Half the country believes the quality of health care in this country isn’t up to snuff and the other half thinks it’s right down the middle. But what’s surprising is the responses to the next question. Keep in mind, half those polled said as far as they are aware (or from what the media has been telling them) health care in this country is lacking. But what about their personal health care situation?

Question #2: What about the health care you receive? Are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the quality of the health care you receive? Would you say you are very (satisfied/dissatisfied) or somewhat (satisfied/dissatisfied)?

poll2

Digest those numbers for a second. 77% of those polled are at least satisfied with the quality of health care they receive. Thing is, they’ve heard so many horror stories that they’re just convinced that the situation sucks for everyone else. But what about the cost of health care? The poll tackles that question as well.

Question #3: Thinking about the country as a whole, are you generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country? Would you say you are very (satisfied/dissatisfied) or somewhat satisfied/dissatisfied)?

poll3

You’ll notice there aren’t many undecideds in most of these data sets. 77% of those polled are dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country as a whole. But what about in their particular situation?

Question #4: Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with YOUR health care costs, both expenses not covered by insurance and the cost of your insurance if any? Would you say you are very (satisfied/dissatisfied) or somewhat (satisfied/dissatisfied)?

poll4

Boy, that’s confusing. 50% of those polled are satisfied with the cost of their particular health insurance bills but they’re so inundated with information about the failures of the United States health care system that they think it’s terrible for everyone else. We’re a kind, caring people, to be sure. Just how kind? Let’s dive into one last question.

Question #5: How concerned are you that if the government creates a system of providing health care for all Americans, the quality of your own health care will get worse — very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not at all concerned?

poll5

So, let me get this straight. We already know from the screaming headline making the rounds that a large majority of Americans (some 70% if we’re to believe this data) support a public plan — even though most are happy with their own health care situation both in cost and quality — but now we’re to believe that those people are willing to take a hit to that quality and foot the bill for worse health care?

You can’t tell me the media’s not having an impact on this debate. They’ve taken the talking points from the Obama administration and delivered them to the masses. And the masses are buying it. This week, ABC is going to try to push those numbers even higher by handing over the keys to the broadcast booth to the White House across the schedule. Obama will push this debate further away from reality on World News, 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America.

No one rests until we’re all hoodwinked, I guess.

Meanwhile, the Health Care Reform Bill just gets bigger and bigger.