This reminds me of the notice I got today for renewing my driver's license. It says I must have a residential address. Really? to drive I have to have an address? So if I live in my car, I somehow would not know how to safely operate it? or what? what does that have to do with anything? It says PO boxes are not acceptable. So what do the 'homeless' do? I guess they don't get a license?
This is the second census I have missed now I have no problem filling it out. I just need to keep living in the US. I have enjoyed searching old census records and discovered lots of information about my family of long ago. Hope my descendants don't try to find information for me through census records.
I have never gotten a census thing to fill out or had a census worker come to my door. But I did just get the letter stating that I would be getting one soon (serious waste of tax dollars). I do not know why they need to know some of the info they ask for...I could guess though. My dh asked me why they want to know everything because it seems like they already know everything about everyone. Also what happens if I fill it out and it gets lost in the mail...do I have to fill out another one or will I be fined because they think I didn't fill it out?
A couple of censuses ago, we never got a form, no one ever came to the house, nothing. You'd think in this tiny town, someone would notice and come get the info??? One year we got the long form -- everything from how many televisions in your house to how many flush toilets... This year, one thing some Louisianians are happy about is that they get to declare their Cajun/Creole heritage! There's never been a blank before where you could really define "other". You had to pick the one you most identify with and go with that, even if it didn't really fit.
We have owned in our home in GA for 12 years. Before that we rented. We have never received a census and we have not received the letter that you mention, although my MIL did. I will not ask for the darn thing. I agree that most of what they ask is none of their business. If I do get one, they will get how many people live here and nothing more. The whole thing is political nonsense.
The census is Constitutional and necessary for an accurate population count. No one seems to be mentioning one of the most important reasons for the census: the redistribution of Congressional seats. A states lose/gain population, they also lose/gain the number of representatives assigned to the state.
The point, though, is that the census asks rather a lot more questions than just how many people live in the home. As long as the information remains anonymous and is used for solid planning purposes, I have no problem. The more time goes by, however, the more lengthy the census return and the more intrusive the questions - which is a worrying trend.
On the site for the 2010 census, it said that it asks for the name, sex, age, and birthdate of each person living in the house, your race, and your phone #. None of that has anything to do with making sure they have an accurate count of people in each state or the country as a whole. It also takes away any possibility of the responses being anonymous. It isn't anonymous if you have to provide your name.
I don't have a problem filling out the census. I'm trusting that they're using the information for planning purposes and congressional seats, as mentioned.
I have been really bothered by this whole census thing, BUT I have never filled one out. So I don't know exactly what is on them. As for the information the census asks....You are required by law and according to the Constitution to report the number in your household. Thats it.
I just looked this up last week because a friend sent me an alarming email that has probably been circulating a few years, brought on by the long form that the government was sent to about one in six homes in 2000. Many questions on it were an invasion of privacy and not Constitutional, although the enumeration every ten years is Constitutionally mandated. They have rightfully chosen to only do the short form this year, but still it asks for information that is not necessary for "enumeration." Some people have a problem with the census takers because of the ACORN involvement.
I wasn't aware ACORN was involved. I heard just yesterday, but only in passing so I don't know the accuracy of it, that ACORN lost the right to work in Ohio. I heard this on the radio, rather than from a person, but kids were talking so I didn't get to hear details.
Well, ACORN was then it wasn't. I heard something on a talk show but so far it appears that it is not to be involved in the 2010 Census.
I have never filled one out. I am wondering if we will get one since we just moved out of country (still US citizens) and are currently living in a hotel. hmm can it be done online? I really don't know if I am for or against it but hubby is for it.
I looked at mine yesterday and was thinking the same thing( they want a lot of very personal information) Mine is still sitting on the table. I havent decided if I'm going to fill it out or not.
and... I was wondering about the privacy issue as well, because on the form they ask for the names of the people in your house. Why do they need that to take a household count!
I got mine yesterday and filled it out, it will go in the mail today. I didn't see a problem filling it out because honestly the information asked could be easily found if they really wanted it. It didn't take me long, maybe 5 or 6 minutes.
I suspect certain corporations (Disney, Microsoft, etc...) have collected a LOT more of my personal information than my government.
True, but then if they really wanted it, they should have a real reason to need it. They do not need names or phone numbers or whether you own the home. As I see it, all they need to know is how many reside in the house and if they are adults or minors.
