the way sony touted their free online this gen makes it hard to believe they'll just start charging for even the most basic online features like microsoft does next gen. sure, they'll be some sort of subscription with kick ass features but the online play and browsing the store and stuff will reamin free, no doubt.

I seriously doubt it 

Where's the option of "I don't really care since I don't play consoles online and will likely buy a xbox or PS4 regardless of fees since I won't need a subscription"?

The choice was whether or not you would settle for inferior specs if it meant free to play online.  I was seeing how important free online play is.

I understand that but its a very simplistic approach, specs aren't the only difference. Features and software will be the major factors to draw someone, brand loyalty and general interest level will also count. The amount required to play online would also bear significance.

If someone is driven away from purchasing a console only because of pay to play with a standard, relatively small sum, then they weren't really interested to begin with, in my opinion.

Would it be safe to interpret all "Show Results" votes to mean "I'm getting a Wii U either way?"

There is no indication Sony will charge for online play. In fact there is more info out there that it will remain free

Here is an article with Sony talking about different levels of membership that has nothing to do with paying for online MP http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/23/ps4-physical-releases-to-have-digital-option-possibility-of-game-packages-in-the-future-yoshida/

Guess it could still happen until Sony has it won't happen. Have to wait and see. But certainly no reason to assume it will

Paying for online play would not dissuade me from purchasing either system. I will be purchasing both ps4 and nextbox. I already have a wii u.

no i've lost interest in nintendo's way of doing things in recent times

add to that the fact that nintendo generally is not an online focused company

Nope. I'd rather pay for PS+ and get those perks than buy a Wii U and game exclusively on it. I do plan to get a Wii U (eventually), but jumping ship would be stupid when you consider the faults of the Wii U relative to the strengths the other consoles are likely to have (solid online at least, horse power, third party support, etc).