The 2010 Census

[CARS]

I must have received the short form, because I had it filled out in 5 minutes and in the mail box within another 2 minutes. While I disagree with the ethnic questions, everything else was very basic and non-threatening.

I too want as little government as possible but like I said before, MN is one of the states close to loosing a Representative. It's bad enough the Reps we have don't actually represent us

Loosing one to CA or NY would be devastating to our agricultural-based MN population.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
That sums it up in a nutshell!!

 

[vnploveschickens]

Got the short census form yesterday. We took less than 5 minutes to fill ours out, its just me and DH!

 

[smileyfacecat]

I just sent mine in. My biggest issue was that I had to 'waste' one of my own stamps on it.

 

[RabbitMage]

The government has access to all this information anyway, but in order to find it they'd have to go looking through your tax records, employment history and who knows what else. That takes far more time and far more money for them to do, and I'd also bet that it gives them far more information about you than if you'd just filled out the Census.

If you're so worried about the monetary aspect of it-SAVE THEM SOME MONEY. Fill out your Census and mail it back in a timely manner. This greatly decreases the chance that a Census worker will have to visit your house, which saves labor, which saves money.

If you're really that put off by the way this nation does things-like running a Census, or taking in taxes, or using those taxes to pay for things, perhaps there's another country better suited to your ideals.

(Boy, I never thought I'd get to use the 'America, love it or leave it' argument!

)

 

[agnes_day]

why did you have to use stamps? mine and everyone else i know got a return envelope that didnt require a stamp.
weird!

 

[DuckLady]

They are all return-post paid.

 

[RabbitMage]

Quote:
This is the same Walter Williams who promotes being able to buy and sell human organs, yes?

Also, taken from http://2010.census.gov/partners/pdf/ConstituentFAQ.pdf

10. Do I have to respond to the 2010 Census?
Yes, your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law. Title 13 section 221 of the United States Code requires your response. Title 13 also requires that the Census Bureau keep respondents’ answers confidential and uses them only for tabulations that do not reveal any personal data about individuals or households.

11. What happens if I don’t respond?
Although the law makes it a crime not to answer the decennial census, the American Community Survey and other mandatory censuses, and authorizes the courts to impose a fine of up to $5,000 for failure to respond, the Census Bureau views this approach as a last resort. Rather than emphasizing or seeking the imposition of penalties, we encourage response by explaining
the importance of the questions we ask and how the information benefits
the community.

I also find it ironic Williams quoted Thomas Jefferson there, because at least according to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_census#History

The first census after the American Revolution was taken in 1790, under Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson;​

 

[StupidBird]

how do you propose we stand up for our constitution then? by not letting it be nibbled away, so how?
On april 1, I will fill ours out. I'm still thinking over the race and housing questions.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

The Census is needed. Yes there are some nosey non-mandatory questions that are there for historians to use when it becomes public record in 75 years.

They have made the info unusable in court. The also have made it a crime to report any crime you see while collecting Census data. You can make moonshine in your porch while talking to a Census taker an if they report it they go to jail an you cant be charged. What other hoops do they need to jump threw?