Poor census response feared

Buffalo News ^ | 03/15/2010 | Jay Rey

[onona]

A decennial tradition that dates back 220 years to the days of George Washington continues today when federal census forms start arriving at more than 120 million households across the United States.

But hanging over this 23rd U.S. census are concerns about a decline in participation.

While the U.S. census has always evoked some resentment toward the feds for poking their nose into people's business, there's a sense that America's distrust of the government has reached greater heights and could contribute to poor census returns.

[bcsco]

Hey, that’s an idea. After all, my German Shorthair is named Hans, and I’m of German ancestry. It would fit...

[bcsco]

That’s about how I see it. Name, age, sex (occasionally) and race. And I’m still sitting on the fence on the last three. Anything else is MYOB.

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “Will ACORN count the homeless?”

*********

I’m sure they will, especially if the homeless have staked out a park bench. Remember the ‘08 election????? They could use park benches as addresses.

[bcsco]

I don’t see where they need to know whether you own or rent, your phone number, or whether you stay somewhere else at times is their business.

[Osage Orange]

So how do you know...you don't have negro blood?

As a matter of fact....I'd like to know what Obama checked in that section.

[CaliforniaCon]

Re: “That’s about how I see it. Name, age, sex (occasionally) and race. And I’m still sitting on the fence on the last three. Anything else is MYOB.”

*************

I checked White but should’ve written ‘proud cracker.’

Used black marking pen to obliterate any areas ‘they’ could fill in themselves if they felt like it. Not sure we will even send it out at all; will think about it for a few weeks. It’s not yet April 1, after all.

[Darksheare]

Same here.

[Darksheare]

“did it ever occur to you that this isnt my first account here?”

Hey.. Hello.. what was your previous handle?

[bcsco]

Not sure we will even send it out at all; will think about it for a few weeks. It’s not yet April 1, after all.

But, but, the cover sheet specifically tells us to fill it out and return it "today".

[who knows what evil?]

Well, our census arrived in the mail today. It takes 6 sheets of paper, 12 written pages, to ask those 10 questions in both English and Spanish. Oh, not only are there those 10 questions, but sub-questions that go into further detail. Also, they tell you on a cover sheet "Please complete and mail back the enclosed census form today".

OMG...I just checked mine, and you are RIGHT! They want us to mail the form in TODAY, but we are supposed to be using a count effective APRIL 1, 2010...TWO WEEKS from today!

...and they want us to turn our HEALTH CARE system over to these idiots???

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “But, but, the cover sheet specifically tells us to fill it out and return it “today”.”

**************

I know; but we don’t take direction well ;)

[bcsco]

Yeah, and what’s with question #2? Question #1 asks the number of people living at the address as of April 1, 2010. Then Question #2 asks “Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in question 1?”

What’s with that? Why would I not include them in question #1? Yet, if I did, why would I then admit to it in question #2? I can see where they want a breakdown, but why wouldn’t I have included them in question #1? This is a really dumb couple questions, IMO.

[CaliforniaCon]

RE: “Sasha, the baby of the house !”

**********

Ahhh, so cute! And displaying the typical ‘give me a belly rub’ pose.

We’ve got a chow mix here; should count him on the census. Mix of German Shepherd, Chow, Shar Pei and Tibetan Spaniel. So...he is Eurasian!!!! Guess we could write that in on the form!

[shibumi]

"I dont think those little signs count when its a reprsentative of the federal government."

As any real Constitutional scholar (as opposed to those "lecturers" from UofC) It is precisely representatives of the federal government who are most constrained by those "little signs" whether they be NO SOLICITING or NO TRESSPASSING or DON'T FART ON MY PROPERTY.

Constitutional Law 101 (you can impress your friends over at Kos with this one) the Constitution does not grant rights, it constrains the Feds from encroaching on them. Further, it recognizes autonomy, State Sovereignty and home rule. Those "little signs" carry the full weight of the law, and a Federal Agent encroaching on them risks arrest by local authorities.

This is the principle behind the enforcement provisions of the various State Firearms Freedom acts currently being codified.

But that's neither here nor there. What we really want to know is, "How's the water under that bridge?"

[bcsco]

Absolutely great post!

[Darksheare]

Just wait until you get to trollboy’s post 110.
He admits that this is not his first handle.

[bcsco]

I’m acquainted with our city mayor and city clerk. It’s the city clerk’s office that hands out those ‘No Solicitation’ signs to any and all residents. And they enforce them.

I’ve called the city clerk’s office over solicitors I’ve chased away. They’ve actually sent the police out. And it doesn’t matter whether the solicitor has a city permit or not. If the house is posted, as mine is, there’s no give-and-take. It means “Do Not Solicit”. I see no reason why census workers should be exempt.

[Darksheare]

Zactly.

[P.O.E.]

Only Ten Questions.

You’d think they’d have to choose the 10 most important things.

How come two of those 10 questions are about race?

Hmmmm?

[Darksheare]

Hellooooooo..
What was your previous handle?