Question

What test does this argument fail? What fallacy does the argument contain?

Seventy-three percent of the people surveyed said that they wanted universal health care coverage. Fifty-four percent said that they were worried about the cost of the program or the quality of the care that would be provided. Therefore, the American people are opposed to the President’s health care reform legislation

Answer 1

This test fails in its first argument. Basically the president's health care reform legislation is all about reducing the cost of health care services and improving the overall quality of health care at an affordable cost. It cannot offer universal coverage as the same will uplift premium which cannot be afforded by the government or public. The type of fallacy that exists in this form of argument is an appeal to ignorance. The majority of people surveyed are not aware of the cost behind insurance services or health care on a universal level. This makes the argument weak. The second argument, on the other hand, is strong as the statement is in favor of the President's health care reform legislation. Therefore the conclusion coming out of the two-argument is invalid as the majority of people are not able to understand the exact picture behind the health care business and the purpose of health care reform legislation.