So what are your thoughts on the census? My thoughts are that it is unconstitutional of course, and tramps all over people's privacy. I seen on the HSLDA website that there are not any questions about homeschooling this time. Whatever do they mean by 'this time'? I am so riled up about this, I could pull my hair out. I just HATE having anyone tell me what I HAVE to do. That is THE reason I pulled my kids out of school right there. Second was the social aspect of PS. But that is another topic... Do you make a mortgage payment? I am just tempted to write, NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! I guess they couldn't say I didn't answer... Your privacy is guaranteed. Guranteed by what? And private to whom? My neighbors? Joe Blow at Walmart? I don't think I need my privacy protected from anyone but the people who are forcing me to fill this out :evil: well you can tell I'm a little more than way past angry...
First- it is actually mandated by the Constitution. As written by the Framers. So it's not unconstitutional. Second- it is not mandatory. You can simply not fill it out. And if a census worker comes to your door, you can turn them away. Period.
I have no problem with it. For sure, the authorities need to have a sense of population shifts and demographics in order to plan. Also, I've learned so much about my ancestors by reading through census returns that are now available to the public (which happens after 100 years). I'd like future generations to know a little about our family. PS - We received a letter today from the Census Bureau. It's sole purpose was to inform us that a census questionnaire will be arriving in one week's time. What a waste of postage. Multiply that cost by about 100 million households, and that's a fair chunk of change.
Actually the Census is mandatory. It is illegal and you can receive a fine for not filling out the census or for giving false answers...see here Also if a census taker visits your home you must answer their questions...see here I don't agree with it, but unfortunately it is mandatory and rather than fight it I'd just assume participate and avoid any unnecessary conflict that may open another can of worms.
I'm so glad you brought that up, Steve. I thought I was the only one who saw it for the waste it was. Everyone I mentioned my feelings to thought I was being overly critical.
Interesting..... The only time a census taker came to my house, he asked if I had time (which I didn't) so he left, saying I didn't have to mess with it if I didn't want to. My bad. That's what happens when I respond to things on nearly no sleep without veryifying my facts.
I got the letter to and thought "why are they sending me this? why don't they just mail the darn census?" Back in 2000 I lived in the small town I am about to move back to and a census worker came to my door and the only thing he asked me was how many people lived in my home. I didn't have a problem with that and he didn't ask me anything else.
I thought the letter telling you to expect the other form was a waste, but my husband said they probably do that because people throw the second one away without looking at it. They think it is junk mail. I can see me doing that. I always toss those forms you get asking about your shopping habits.
Amie, it's ok don't worry, I just didn't want anyone to get in trouble for not filling out the thing. I also got the letter and the first thing I said to DH was "gee, our tax dollars at work I got a letter telling me I'm going to be getting the census" DH said "didn't you already know you would get the census, were the TV ads not enough?"
I do think the letter telling us to expect it is absolutely ridiculous- a total waste of taxpayer money. I will fill out my census but will likely only answer the first question-How many people live in my house. That's to assign districts for the House of Representatives.
yeah, I got that too and thought it was wasteful. I really don't care one way or the other about the census. I think I may have filled one out over the years. It's not important to me.
Oh my...I suppose I've been breaking the law if it's mandatory. LOL. Oh and I NEVER had a guy come to my house to take the census. Maybe I missed it. When I have a car I am never home. Oh well.
The last census we got the long form which consisted of just about asking for a urnine sample. I didnt want to fill it out so I had a census worker parked outside my house stalking me until I gave in. She caught me coming to my house and she told me that one way or another SHE WILL get that info from me.
OH..Katie..that is hysterical! A woman on a mission, huh? I bet avoiding her was fun! Geesh...so am I the only one who never had one come to their home? Maybe they have and I forgot...hmm....
well I understand according to the Constitution that the census is for the purpose of counting the population. That is required by law. and it is madatory to fill that out. The questions about my mortgage and if I am hispanic are NOT Constitutional. Unfortunately the law requires you to fill them out. THAT is what makes me so angry. You can be fined for not filling it out. Up to $500 as I understand.
I've never received a form & never had a census taker come to my house. As far as I'm concerned, they can know how many people live in my house, but that's as much info as they're getting. I could care less about their privacy policy stating that all people who deal with the census are sworn to secrecy & will be fined if they do anything with your info. If prison time or possibility of the death penalty doesn't stop people from breaking the law, why should I believe that threat of a fine would?
The last one in 2000 my mom forgot to fill out, and a census taker actually drove out into the boonies to get the info from her! I grew up on well over 200 acres of farmland, and from the main road to our driveway it was 12 miles and then to get to our home from the driveway was another 3 miles! She was a very determined census taker...
I think the last census in 2000 had a 53 page questionnaire with questions about everything private. I think only 'random' homes go them? I stupidly filled it out thinking I had to. Did I? Just seems to reek of 'we can make you do this' na na na na na !
