Why we count: There's a lot at stake in census

[plopsdad]

sisyphus wrote:

I think the notice letter was of some value. Otherwise how would I know that the purpose of the census was the distrbution of wealth. Certainly that subject has never been voiced before. Oh wait, didn't Omugabe mention something about that in his conversation with Joe the Plumber?

i will answer the census, only that information that they need to geta head count, they want to know what me or my wife make, ill let them drag us to court.

[EqualRights]

By law (92 Stat. 915, Public Law 95-416, enacted on October 5, 1978), census records are sealed for 72 years.

[Chev Chelios]

Deadeye Dick wrote:

<quoted text>
What does ACORN have to do with the census?

Obama wanted ACORN to handle the census. Payback. Shameless. Corrupt. Scheming. Fraudulent. Obama/ACORN. After ACORN's exposure for the criminal fraud enterprise it is, old Barry sure washed his hands of them quickly. Just like Jeremiah Wright. Bill Ayers, etc. etc. Sooner or later, ALL of Obama's chickens will come home to roost.

[Adam]

EqualRights wrote:

By law (92 Stat. 915, Public Law 95-416, enacted on October 5, 1978), census records are sealed for 72 years.

Yes and we all know how secure data has been lately. How many times have we had hacked databases or a lost/stolen laptop with this very same type of information make it's way into the public domain in the last 10 years? This would be the mother lode for some low life...

[sisyphus]

EqualRights wrote:

By law (92 Stat. 915, Public Law 95-416, enacted on October 5, 1978), census records are sealed for 72 years.

Wrong! The Aministrator of Public Services may relax or abolish all restictions under certain circumstances. Judging by the way this administration has ridden rough shod over the Constitution and laws of this nation, there is no doubt in my mind that these records will be an open book for whomever Omugabe chooses to examine them.

[The Big Bopper]

I know "why" we count... I'm concerned about "who" we count. I think lots of illegals will be counted, don't you?

[impeachobamanow]

Government intrusion...a few months ago, they finished electronically charting every address...so they know exactly where you live!
And can look by satelite photo.

[steve baker]

Remember:

Race - X other

Write in "American"

[sock]

steve baker wrote:

Remember:
Race - X other
Write in "American"

Amen to that!

[Aaron]

steve baker wrote:

Remember:
Race - X other
Write in "American"

Check!

[Thomas F Schraad]

An average citizen wrote:

It is your duty as an American citizen. Also, this is not a political thing. Has nothing to do with Dems or Rep. Check your facts before making comments.

If it is our "duty" then what is it called for all the people who come from all over the world and are vacationing here or have a temporary work permit. When 20 -30 million of non citizens (illegals) fill out this form before we send them back, do we need to readjust our population? Should those being deported fill out the forms first?

Why don't we have Acorn just fill in the forms for us. That way they can fill in a lot of non existing children and instead of 8 representatives in congress, we could get maybe 16 or 20.

A census should be about counting the citizens of the United States.

As a side note, most snow birds will be able to fill out two forms and they can list as many dependents as they want. So if each dependent counts as the state getting $10,000 over the next ten years and if I list two adults with my non existing 10 children, that would give Minnesota $100,000 from the Federal government. Now, I think that I should get a finders fee of about 10% or $10,000. So Governor, do we have a deal?

This census is worthless as far as accuracy is concerned. Just a waste of our time.

[speedy]

Hockey fan wrote:

I agree with all they need to know is how many people in the house. Why is race or occupation or salary needed? Gee I wonder! We were one of the chosen ones to get the "long" form several months ago. We ignored it for a long time, received several calls, were sent another one so we put how many people and that is it. They called again and were pretty nasty. We told them that it was none of their business about the rest and they should have what they need. They wanted to know the size of our house, how many bedroom, bathrooms, etc...I'm sorry, this is NOT needed.

I bet you are talking about what they labeled as the "community survey". Long form, lots of intrusive questions. We got that one, never filled it out or sent it back. We also got several phone calls, then a second one mailed to us which we returned blank with a letter explaining we are not obliged to answer such personal questions. The calls and letters stopped.
Funny though, this time we got the very simple short form, but, they had it hand delivered instead of mailed! I wonder how much that cost?

[Former McDowell Resident]

EqualRights wrote:

<quoted text> The Constitution gives Congress the sole Sonstitutional authority to determine what questions are to be asked for the census. So whatever questions are asked are allowable under the Constitution. Federal law, by the way, requires that Congress approve the census questions AT LEAST 2 years before the census, so the 2010 questions were approved during the Bush administration.

So, tell me why they need to know:
1. number of people living in this household
2. Any additional people living there on Apr 1
3. is this a house, apartment or mobile home
4. what is your telephone number
5. name of everyone living here
6. Sex of residents
7. Age and date of birth
8. Whether you are of hispanic, latino or spanish origin
9. your race
10 Do you sometimes live or stay somewhere else?

That's the short form.

[Former McDowell Resident]

Walter M wrote:

I have used the federal censuses from 1860 through 1920 extensively for researching family history, finding family members I never knew existed. The census is invaluable and the data kept under wraps for seventy years, so what you tell the census now is private for years to come. By all means be counted, as your grandchildren may appreciate it.

Considering how free our government has been with confidential information, are you willing to guarantee that it remains secure? The only thing they need to know is how many people live in each household which would satisfy the need to know population. Every thing else is not needed.

[speedy]

Former McDowell Resident wrote:

<quoted text>So, tell me why they need to know:
1. number of people living in this household
2. Any additional people living there on Apr 1
3. is this a house, apartment or mobile home
4. what is your telephone number
5. name of everyone living here
6. Sex of residents
7. Age and date of birth
8. Whether you are of hispanic, latino or spanish origin
9. your race
10 Do you sometimes live or stay somewhere else?
That's the short form.

I believe question number one is the only pertinent question.

[Former McDowell Resident]

steve baker wrote:

Remember:
Race - X other
Write in "American"

I was doing that back in the 60s when I was required to do it on Air Force forms. Still do.

[orreljw]

plopsdad wrote:

<quoted text>i will answer the census, only that information that they need to geta head count, they want to know what me or my wife make, ill let them drag us to court.

Do you really think the feds do not know what you make? Do you not file your taxes annually? Are the voices in you head out to get you too?

[Former McDowell Resident]

orreljw wrote:

<quoted text>
Do you really think the feds do not know what you make? Do you not file your taxes annually? Are the voices in you head out to get you too?

Then why make it easier for the feds by handing it to them again in the census? Make them work for something.

[BTA]

Somehow I've never managed doing a census. It's like every 10 years I'm on the move when it comes out.