I just got the census form, and I don''t like it

[AprilBaby]

As a genealogist I was saddened there was not more info asked such as occupation and place of birth. I guess 50 years on the grandkids will be able to get it online. For those in same sex situation..why does it bother you they ask? If you all answer it will give you more political power in the end to see that you have a large group.

 

[WishfulThinking]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:03:00 PM
Author: AprilBaby
As a genealogist I was saddened there was not more info asked such as occupation and place of birth. I guess 50 years on the grandkids will be able to get it online. For those in same sex situation..why does it bother you they ask? If you all answer it will give you more political power in the end to see that you have a large group.

I specifically wish they asked OVERTLY and counted the data as part of the official census data, but that isn''t going to be the case this time around. They will count those who identify as same-sex married or unmarried partners, but those not in relationships [or who do not feel comfortable identifying themselves as such] will not be counted. I agree about your assessment of political power and I think the information is very useful for a number of reasons. As I stated in my original post, those who believe the census data might get to the wrong hands [I do not believe this] or be viewed on the individual level [also definitely not going to happen] may be more concerned, as discrimination against LGBT people in the US is pretty prevalent and perfectly legal in the majority of states.

Personally, I''m thrilled because we got a huge pink Queer the Census sticker to stick on the outside of the envelope so we can check off sexual orientation-- they won''t be counting it from that info, but hopefully the lobbying effort will lead them to count it the next time around!

Thanks trill and VRBeauty for saying hi!

After all the drama about whether we were still married last year I stopped posting regularly, but I do lurk occasionally still.

 

[vc10um]

For those of you who were surprised that the census asked so little, that''s because they also sent the American Community Survey to a random sampling of the population. I received it this year, and was more than happy to fill it out. It asked for things like place of birth, occupation, income, level of education, etc.

I filled out our census yesterday and it''s going in the mail tomorrow!

 

[geckodani]

Date: 3/17/2010 8:03:00 PM
Author: AprilBaby
As a genealogist I was saddened there was not more info asked such as occupation and place of birth. I guess 50 years on the grandkids will be able to get it online. For those in same sex situation..why does it bother you they ask? If you all answer it will give you more political power in the end to see that you have a large group.

My husband is the same way. He was really upset that they were asking for so little information.

 

[joelly]

Date: 3/16/2010 11:56:15 AM
Author: MissMina
I just filled mine out and did find some of the
language rather odd. For example under race they have among others black, white and American Indian.
It also seems that they haven''t figured out a good terminology for unmarried people living together.
They are dancing all around the subject.
And I was surprised, first that where you sleep is considered to be your home. And second that they want to know where you sleep when you don''t sleep there.
And what if you are an insomniac like me and rarely sleep anyplace.
Do you or I still count ???

what really bugs me is that under the race category, they didn''t put hispanic/latino as one of the option, whats with that?

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

First off it made me laugh. There was the statement that not sending the info is against the law. Hmmmmm would the police be arresting me under the name "resident" ?

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I wasn''t going to post in this thread because it straddled the "political" line, but I have to admit I was completely taken aback by the "let''s let the government invade our privacy because they can find the information, anyway" mentality.

I will fill out the information that is legal and consitatution according to Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the consitution--I am content to give them the number of persons living in my household for the purpose of determining the number of representatives for my state. Granted, this goal could be accomplished more efficiently by simply counting social security numbers, but I guess that wouldn''t allow them the opportunity to pry into my life. My right to decline giving the government my race, phone number, etc. is protected by the third, fourth AND fifth amendments. Just because U.S. Code, Title 13 says that not filling it out is illegal does not make it constitutional.

If the gov''t wants my information I make it very easy for them by filing a 1040 every year.

Furthermore, census data is NOT confidential. Title 13 states “your confidentiality is protected. Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to keep all information about you and all other respondents strictly confidential,” however the data was legally released under the Second War Powers Act and again under the Patriot Act.

When a census representative comes knocking on my door, I will ask specifically to whom and where I am to send my fine. I will keep my privacy and freedom, they can have my check.

 

[movie zombie]

"This “mission creep” for the Census thus pushes up against a level of discomfort no amount of advertising dollars can likely assuage. Many will no doubt choose to follow former Senate majority leader Trent Lott’s advice to skip any Census questions they feel violates their privacy—which may well include any exceeding the Constitution’s mandate for an “actual Enumeration.” Unfortunately, choosing privacy now costs more: legislation recently passed raises the fine for “anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers” from a limit of $100 to $5,000—a fact not advertised even in the small print."

the article is worth a read: http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=2744 and its not going to make Kenny happy.....

our form merely asked number of people residing at the residence, names of said people, and their birthdates......nothing more.

mz

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 3/19/2010 10:06:10 AM
Author: movie zombie
''This “mission creep” for the Census thus pushes up against a level of discomfort no amount of advertising dollars can likely assuage. Many will no doubt choose to follow former Senate majority leader Trent Lott’s advice to skip any Census questions they feel violates their privacy—which may well include any exceeding the Constitution’s mandate for an “actual Enumeration.” Unfortunately, choosing privacy now costs more: legislation recently passed raises the fine for “anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers” from a limit of $100 to $5,000—a fact not advertised even in the small print.''

the article is worth a read: http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=2744 and its not going to make Kenny happy.....

our form merely asked number of people residing at the residence, names of said people, and their birthdates......nothing more.

mz

In regards to the highlighted part, I looked this up so I would know how much I need to pay.

According to United States Code, Title 13 (Census), Chapter 7 (Offenses and Penalties), SubChapter II:

* (a) Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the Secretary or authorized officer, to answer, to the best of his knowledge, any of the questions on any schedule submitted to him in connection with any census or survey provided for by subchapters I, II, IV, and V of chapter 5 of this title, applying to himself or to the family to which he belongs or is related, or to the farm or farms of which he or his family is the occupant, shall be fined not more than $100.

If you answer falsely, you are charged $500. The $5,000 charge is if you are a criminal (though it seems census workers often threaten the $5K fine).

So I''ll be paying the $100.

I guess this is one way to recoup the $350 million they spent on simply MARKETING the census. What a joke.

 

[lilyfoot]

Date: 3/18/2010 9:50:01 PM
Author: joelly

Date: 3/16/2010 11:56:15 AM
Author: MissMina
I just filled mine out and did find some of the
language rather odd. For example under race they have among others black, white and American Indian.
It also seems that they haven''t figured out a good terminology for unmarried people living together.
They are dancing all around the subject.
And I was surprised, first that where you sleep is considered to be your home. And second that they want to know where you sleep when you don''t sleep there.
And what if you are an insomniac like me and rarely sleep anyplace.
Do you or I still count ???

what really bugs me is that under the race category, they didn''t put hispanic/latino as one of the option, whats with that?

It''s not a race, it''s an ethnicity.

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 3/19/2010 10:49:25 AM
Author: lilyfoot

Date: 3/18/2010 9:50:01 PM
Author: joelly

Date: 3/16/2010 11:56:15 AM
Author: MissMina
I just filled mine out and did find some of the
language rather odd. For example under race they have among others black, white and American Indian.
It also seems that they haven''t figured out a good terminology for unmarried people living together.
They are dancing all around the subject.
And I was surprised, first that where you sleep is considered to be your home. And second that they want to know where you sleep when you don''t sleep there.
And what if you are an insomniac like me and rarely sleep anyplace.
Do you or I still count ???

what really bugs me is that under the race category, they didn''t put hispanic/latino as one of the option, whats with that?

It''s not a race, it''s an ethnicity.

and on the form we rec''d that was explained.....actually, that was explained many years ago in a college course as well.

mz

 

[LadyBlue]

Date: 3/19/2010 10:54:58 AM
Author: movie zombie

Date: 3/19/2010 10:49:25 AM
Author: lilyfoot

Date: 3/18/2010 9:50:01 PM
Author: joelly

Date: 3/16/2010 11:56:15 AM
Author: MissMina
I just filled mine out and did find some of the
language rather odd. For example under race they have among others black, white and American Indian.
It also seems that they haven't figured out a good terminology for unmarried people living together.
They are dancing all around the subject.
And I was surprised, first that where you sleep is considered to be your home. And second that they want to know where you sleep when you don't sleep there.
And what if you are an insomniac like me and rarely sleep anyplace.
Do you or I still count ???

what really bugs me is that under the race category, they didn't put hispanic/latino as one of the option, whats with that?

It's not a race, it's an ethnicity.

and on the form we rec'd that was explained.....actually, that was explained many years ago in a college course as well.

mz

Here is the answear: Race and ethnicity in the United States Census link

 

[luvmyhalo]

Date: 3/19/2010 10:05:58 AM
Author: NewEnglandLady
I wasn't going to post in this thread because it straddled the 'political' line, but I have to admit I was completely taken aback by the 'let's let the government invade our privacy because they can find the information, anyway' mentality.

I will fill out the information that is legal and consitatution according to Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the consitution--I am content to give them the number of persons living in my household for the purpose of determining the number of representatives for my state. Granted, this goal could be accomplished more efficiently by simply counting social security numbers, but I guess that wouldn't allow them the opportunity to pry into my life. My right to decline giving the government my race, phone number, etc. is protected by the third, fourth AND fifth amendments. Just because U.S. Code, Title 13 says that not filling it out is illegal does not make it constitutional.

If the gov't wants my information I make it very easy for them by filing a 1040 every year.

Furthermore, census data is NOT confidential. Title 13 states “your confidentiality is protected. Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to keep all information about you and all other respondents strictly confidential,” however the data was legally released under the Second War Powers Act and again under the Patriot Act.

When a census representative comes knocking on my door, I will ask specifically to whom and where I am to send my fine. I will keep my privacy and freedom, they can have my check.

Very good point NEL! Why don't they just do that?

You also bring up a fantastic point about the insane amount of money they spent marketing the census. TV commercials on major TV netorks do NOT come cheap!

The privacy issue doesn't bother me so much, it's all of the MONEY they've spent to collect this data.

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

Counting social securities numbers or using tax information collected in April doesn''t let the government know how many people are actively using resources in each county/ voting district/ region/ etc. This information is necessary for the allocation of money for things like building roads and as previously mentioned fair voting districts.

Think about the 40,000 students at your nearest state college. A majority of those 40,000 students "living" somewhere else according to their permanent address, and many are claimed as dependents on their parents'' taxes. However, those college students are using the resources of their college location, not their parents'' locations. The census data ensures that College Town USA gets the appropriate allocation for roads and other public works.

I am also one of those people that couldn''t believe how short the census was... I was surprised it didn''t even ask my occupation.

 

[Guilty Pleasure]

forgot to say, I was also miffed at the mailout sent out the week before... what a waste of money!!!

 

[galeteia]

We got ours this week and I''m looking forward to filling it out. I don''t have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I''m Canadian.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 3/21/2010 12:43:22 PM
Author: Galateia
We got ours this week and I'm looking forward to filling it out. I don't have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I'm Canadian.

SOCIALIST!

But seriously though, I am loving the anti-government fervor the Census manages to bring out in people. Like swimmer said, if you don't like the government, feel free to refrain from using any and all government and taxpayer funded services. And like I said, if you want to protest the government, not paying taxes is probably a lot more meaningful.

They may take my information for taxes but they'll never take my FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

 

[galeteia]

Date: 3/21/2010 12:55:13 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 3/21/2010 12:43:22 PM

Author: Galateia

We got ours this week and I''m looking forward to filling it out. I don''t have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I''m Canadian.

SOCIALIST!


But seriously though, I am loving the anti-government fervor the Census manages to bring out in people. Like swimmer said, if you don''t like the government, feel free to refrain from using any and all government and taxpayer funded services. And like I said, if you want to protest the government, not paying taxes is probably a lot more meaningful.


They may take my information for taxes but they''ll never take my FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

Hehe. I don''t know about you, but I certainly don''t want to pave my own roads or process my own sewage!

The hatred that some people have for a body made up of elected officials confounds my little Canadian self. If I don''t like someone in power (HARPER!!!) I do what steps I can to vote to take them out of power, and pay attention to policy instead of the mob so I can vote wisely.

ETA: Dang! SO already filled it out and sealed it, and I opened it thinking it was one I had to fill out. (Had no idea what a ''completed'' envelope looked like)

Can I reseal it and send it along?

 

[ksinger]

Date: 3/21/2010 12:55:13 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 3/21/2010 12:43:22 PM
Author: Galateia
We got ours this week and I''m looking forward to filling it out. I don''t have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I''m Canadian.

SOCIALIST!

But seriously though, I am loving the anti-government fervor the Census manages to bring out in people. Like swimmer said, if you don''t like the government, feel free to refrain from using any and all government and taxpayer funded services. And like I said, if you want to protest the government, not paying taxes is probably a lot more meaningful.

They may take my information for taxes but they''ll never take my FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

I''m indulging in some serious giggleage right now....giggle giggle!!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 3/21/2010 9:01:59 PM
Author: ksinger

Date: 3/21/2010 12:55:13 PM

Author: thing2of2

Date: 3/21/2010 12:43:22 PM

Author: Galateia

We got ours this week and I''m looking forward to filling it out. I don''t have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I''m Canadian.

SOCIALIST!

But seriously though, I am loving the anti-government fervor the Census manages to bring out in people. Like swimmer said, if you don''t like the government, feel free to refrain from using any and all government and taxpayer funded services. And like I said, if you want to protest the government, not paying taxes is probably a lot more meaningful.

They may take my information for taxes but they''ll never take my FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

I''m indulging in some serious giggleage right now....giggle giggle!!

I wonder how many of these anti-government folks have actually tried it? I''m guessing not many!

 

[kittybean]

I filled out the form yesterday. I was actually really disappointed it only took me about 3 minutes. I wanted more questions!

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 3/21/2010 9:27:48 PM
Author: kittybean
I filled out the form yesterday. I was actually really disappointed it only took me about 3 minutes. I wanted more questions!

Ha, me too! I would have loved to get the long one!

 

[atroop711]

j

 

[atroop711]

5

 

[LadyBlue]

Date: 3/21/2010 9:54:21 PM
Author: atroop711
5

Atroop, I feel the same way.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 3/21/2010 10:06:02 PM
Author: gaby06

Date: 3/21/2010 9:54:21 PM

Author: atroop711

5

Atroop, I feel the same way.

Me too! 5 is exactly how I feel.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 3/21/2010 12:55:13 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 3/21/2010 12:43:22 PM
Author: Galateia
We got ours this week and I''m looking forward to filling it out. I don''t have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I''m Canadian.

SOCIALIST!

But seriously though, I am loving the anti-government fervor the Census manages to bring out in people. Like swimmer said, if you don''t like the government, feel free to refrain from using any and all government and taxpayer funded services. And like I said, if you want to protest the government, not paying taxes is probably a lot more meaningful.

They may take my information for taxes but they''ll never take my FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

a gov''t can''t "take" freedom from people who are perfectly willing to give it away because they don''t value (read: deserve) it....

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 3/21/2010 10:34:39 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady

Date: 3/21/2010 12:55:13 PM

Author: thing2of2

Date: 3/21/2010 12:43:22 PM

Author: Galateia

We got ours this week and I''m looking forward to filling it out. I don''t have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I''m Canadian.

SOCIALIST!

But seriously though, I am loving the anti-government fervor the Census manages to bring out in people. Like swimmer said, if you don''t like the government, feel free to refrain from using any and all government and taxpayer funded services. And like I said, if you want to protest the government, not paying taxes is probably a lot more meaningful.

They may take my information for taxes but they''ll never take my FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

a gov''t can''t ''take'' freedom from people who are perfectly willing to give it away because they don''t value (read: deserve) it....

Ha, yes, giving the government less information than I give them when I pay my taxes means I don''t deserve freedom.

I''ll say it once more-you don''t like the government? Don''t pay taxes! And don''t use all the taxpayer funded services! Kthanxbai!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Date: 3/21/2010 11:32:07 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 3/21/2010 10:34:39 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady

Date: 3/21/2010 12:55:13 PM

Author: thing2of2

Date: 3/21/2010 12:43:22 PM

Author: Galateia

We got ours this week and I'm looking forward to filling it out. I don't have a problem with doing my part, but then again, I'm Canadian.

SOCIALIST!

But seriously though, I am loving the anti-government fervor the Census manages to bring out in people. Like swimmer said, if you don't like the government, feel free to refrain from using any and all government and taxpayer funded services. And like I said, if you want to protest the government, not paying taxes is probably a lot more meaningful.

They may take my information for taxes but they'll never take my FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

a gov't can't 'take' freedom from people who are perfectly willing to give it away because they don't value (read: deserve) it....

Ha, yes, giving the government less information than I give them when I pay my taxes means I don't deserve freedom.

I'll say it once more-you don't like the government? Don't pay taxes! And don't use all the taxpayer funded services! Kthanxbai!

I don't have an issue with taxes (other than the income tax), nor would I ever use a taxpayer-funded service that I didn't believe was constitutional. As I said originally, I'm happy to fill out the section of the census that is constitutional, I'm not happy to fill out the part that isn't constitutional...not sure why that's an issue at all?

I'm not going to get into a political argument, you can mail the gov't as much personal information about yourself as you wish, I think that's great. Nor do I have any issue with you mailing the gov't your entire paycheck if that's what you would like to do...it's your choice. I just wouldn't wish it upon you to be forced to unconstitutionally.

Instead of an obnoxious valediction I will respectfully wish you a good night.

 

[iheartscience]

So I''ll take that to mean you don''t pay income tax because it''s unconstitutional, then?