Census Notice

[ToddDH]

I just opened one of those "You'll receive your Census Form in about two weeks" type mailings and to complete and promptly return the form.

1. Okay, but I wonder how many millions of dollars are being spent to send a notice that only alerts you to receiving something everyone but only a relative handful of people don't know about.

2. The "cracks me up part." When you receive this notice if you haven't already, you'll quickly discover that probably the basic part of the notification is repeated in: Spanish, what appears to be Chinese, what appears to be possibly Arabic, what appears to be Vietnamese, and Russian. That's it!

No Italian, no French, no German, no Portuguese or Greek, all nationalities that make up very significant segments of our population.

I laughed so hard I about fell off of the kitchen stool!

Todd

[balabusta]

Todd, we got that census notice too, yesterday. Yes, I must admit that the government does waist a lot of money on unnecessary mailings. I also admit that it is critical to fill out the census form when it comes to your home. It is a known fact that representation in congress is based on the census plus government programs and aid are based on the poplulation of a certain district. We all must hope, that in the future, the government is run more like a fine tuned engine; more efficient and less waist!

[hannibal]

Filling them out is important but how much info should you give them? I think this time I am only going to say there is 1 person who lives at this address, thats all.

[Manuel]

Originally Posted by hannibal

Filling them out is important but how much info should you give them? .

They already have all the information on all law-abiding citizens. It's the people who have something to hide that the authorities don't know about

TM

[ToddDH]

I strongly agree Balabusta. I just thought it was funny the languages listed. BTW, in my original post I left out the large American Jewish population as well.

Kinda' reminds me of one of the hilarious routines in the late fifties or early sixties by the late Jewish comedian, Shelly Berman wherein he's talking about flying (back in the days of piston engined aircraft). The segment included a line concerning the notice on the back of the air sickness bag on American aircraft about which he said, "You know, the one that says in French, Italian and Hebrew, 'In here stupid!'"

Todd

[2Littletime]

From a different perspective, my husband and I are avid genealogists, we love genealogy almost as much as cruising. We have been able to find out so many interesting things about our ancestors because of the census forms that were filled out. Very selfishly I would encourage everyone to fill them out with as much information as possible, and as legibly as possible. Someone looking back a hundred years from now may be very excited to see your name and information on a census form.

[venice]

you would be surprised of the deep distrust that many citizens have about giving any type of information to the government..no, it's not that they have something to hide..it's based upon historical experiences, miss use of the information provided..watching to match damm television/movies identify theft etc

New Orleans has a very unique challenge with this census..it is clear that maybe only 65% of the population, that want to come home has returned since Katrina..this is due to multiple issues, but the intent is to come home when they can rebuild.. for example, if displaced new orleans residences are living in Todd's part of the country (Tennessee), do they fill out the form for that state or do they list their new orleans residence (with the hope that they will be back in a year or two)..also, we still have a significant population that are living with their families because they have not been able to rebuild..how do they count when the question is how many reside in the household

this is much more complexed then what appears first blush..I looked thru all my mail for the past few days, have not received a notice..does that mean that I am forgotten (which may be a good thing )

[Henry43]

Originally Posted by ToddDH

I strongly agree Balabusta. I just thought it was funny the languages listed. BTW, in my original post I left out the large American Jewish population as well.

Kinda' reminds me of one of the hilarious routines in the late fifties or early sixties by the late Jewish comedian, Shelly Berman wherein he's talking about flying (back in the days of piston engined aircraft). The segment included a line concerning the notice on the back of the air sickness bag on American aircraft about which he said, "You know, the one that says in French, Italian and Hebrew, 'In here stupid!'"

Todd

In reality every language should be represented . Its the same as when calling a business you get a message in spanish and english.Either have it as it was for the past 60 years or longer and english only or have the message with every language

[Ron]

Todd, about 30 minutes ago we rec'd our letter notifying us we were going to be getting the form and we basically did the same as you-- laughed ( and cried ) about how much money the Feds spent sending out letters to tell people they would be getting a letter--- and also noted that it had what appeared to be Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, etc. but lacked about 10,000 other languages.
I can see now about 15 million illegal aliens getting these letters, then the forms and sending them all in promptly and correctly filled out !!
Right.
I just ran my letter through the shredder that was made in China as I don't throw anything in the trash due to identity theft.
When I send in my tax payment April 10 or so, I'm attaching a letter with it urging them to hurry and send it, as soon as they possibly can, somewhere over the deep blue sea to someone more deserving than I, the person who worked and earned the money in the first place.

[Donna]

It got the letter yesterday too, thought I was receiving the actual census. Kind of a stupid waste of money and time, just send the form to fill out and return?

[Snoozeman]

I actually received the census form on Friday. It was not mailed, it was left in a plastic bag and hung from my main gate. It was the short form and I have completed it and mailed it back. I guess we don't wait until April 1st in the country.

BTW-I do an agricultural census every year. About every five years it is more detailed. It's how they get the information you hear on TV about crop reports, etc. If you forget to mail it (like I did this year) they will telephone you.

[Fern]

Originally Posted by Donna

It got the letter yesterday too, thought I was receiving the actual census. Kind of a stupid waste of money and time, just send the form to fill out and return?

I agree with Donna and some other's. Why is the Gov. sending out "you're going to be getting a census form"? Send it with the census form if it must be sent.

I wonder how much these mailings cost the taxpayers (US!)?

I don't have any problem with filling out the census form. The Gov. already knows more about me than I do !

[venice]

Ron..I know you were kidding about attaching a note with your tax return, but a friend of mine that works for the IRS, indicated that will slow up your return because any correspondence to them is routed to a different process which takes longer

got my notice in the mail yesterday afternoon

[DougR.]

OK A DISCLAIMER: I WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!

The mailing you are all having such fun with does serve a useful purpose. It raises awareness and actually increases the response to the actual census which cuts down on the personnel who must be sent out to check on non-responders. This has been tested in the past and proven effective. I guess this year they are sending it to everyone.

It is printed in a number of langauges because, like it or not, we are a diverse society and the census counts us all regardless of our status or langauge spoken. The aim is to prevent undercounting of minority groups as has allegedly occured in the past.

Finally for those who do not want to give information:

In 1970 I was told the census information I gave would give the government power to move me into an ethnically balanced neighborhood.

In 1980 I was told the census information I gave would allow the government to dictate how many children I could father.

In 1990 I was told the census information I gave would allow the government to cut off my access to health care when I got old.

In 2000 I was told the census information I gave would allow the government to determine which internment camp I would be exiled to when the New World Order took over.

God knows what they have planned for me in 2010.

Come on folks!!!! Lets get real here!!!

[skymaster]

I got my "notice" that I'd be receiving the census form too. I too rolled my eyes and marveled over the gross waste of money sending these things out. (Sorry Doug,,I just don't buy that these things do any good at all)
I guess when I get my actual census form, I'll send the government a letter telling them to be on the look out, as they'll be getting my census form back soon, and that they should be sure to input it into their system! Do you think that'll do any good???

"SKY"

[venice]

Doug...what is your "government insider" thoughts on how to gain an accurate population count for the many still displaced New Orleans residences ?

[ToddDH]

Okay Ron,

Let me see if I understand this correctly and I'm not being a wiseacre, I just don't know. By including just those five languages at the bottom of the page, is the government in fact saying, that those individuals for whom those are native languages are those most liable not to comprehend the census form?

Are we to conclude only those languages represent the greatest number of American citizens who cannot read or write English?

And finally, are illegal aliens expected to participate in the census? If so, are they to so note on the form or does just the lack of certain information demonstrate that fact (i.e., lack of verifiable SS numbers)? And if one lives in an area with a significant illegal immigrant population and who return the forms, mean that area will receive more significant amounts of government funds (our tax money) than similar geographical areas that have relatively the same number of people but far fewer illegal aliens than the aforementioned area?

Todd

[Henry43]

OK A DISCLAIMER: I WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!

I spent a year working for the State of NY and indirectly with the Federal Government .I saw directly how mis managed they were

[DougR.]

Originally Posted by Henry43

OK A DISCLAIMER: I WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!

I spent a year working for the State of NY and indirectly with the Federal Government .I saw directly how mis managed they were

How long ago? I have seen things change quite a bit in the almost 40 years I have been associated with the Federal Government. Yeah there are major problems in areas like FEMA for example. It is not the rank and file that is lacking, when there is a major problem it is usually attributable to the political hacks that head the agency.

By the way, when I worked in our NY office, the NY State government was horrible to work with. If I requested a financial report it took months. When I awarded a grant it took them months to sign it (all along bellowing they were running out of funds. ) because it had to make 27 stops before getting signed . In NJ it made 3 stops and I had it back in a week or two. Of course considering the governor and legislature, it is a miracle that they got anything accomplished.

[venice]

I think our government should include 2 questions on the census form

1) how many cruises of 3 days or more have you taken in the past 3 years?

2) would you be willing to designate a $1.00 of your tax return to be donated to the save and restore the SS United States?

[skymaster]

Originally Posted by venice

I think our government should include 2 questions on the census form

1) how many cruises of 3 days or more have you taken in the past 3 years?

2) would you be willing to designate a $1.00 of your tax return to be donated to the save and restore the SS United States?

GREAT idea Venice! I think the $1 to save the SS United States would make a lot more sense than the $1 for the next presidential campaign!

"SKY"

[Mean Dean]

I suppose all of this depends on how important your privacy is to you.

The law provides for serious penalties if the census data is used for purposes outside the limits of what the law dictates. However, census data has been used for purposes other than for which it was intended; the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War Two, for example.

So, I decided to research what the penalties are to a citizen disinclined to fill out a census form, and this is what I found:

Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann told CBS News (in an article dated 18 June 2009) that she and her family would not fill out the census form fully, and would provide only the number of persons living in the household.

Bachmann stated that "the Constitution doesn't require any information beyond that." This statement is factually correct. The United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 2, states "The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct." Nothing in the Article 1, Section 2 directs that the census collect any information beyond "enumeration."

The CBS News article further states: "According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Bachmann may be in trouble if she fails to fill out the entire census. Spokeswoman Shelly Lowe told the Washington Times that anyone over the age of 18 must fill out all the questions and any such person who refuses to answer "any of the questions" faces a $5,000 fine."

Census Bureau spokeswoman Lowe states a $5000 fine for not answering all of the questions on the census form.

I decided to investigate the actual law, and here's what I discovered:

United States Code Title 13, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Section 221, Paragraph A states:

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.(United States Government Printing Office, United States Code: Browse Titles Page

So, according to the actual law, the maximum penalty is $100, not $5000 as stated by spokeswoman Lowe.

So, I suppose, if you're willing to pay up to a $100 fine, you could refuse to participate.

For what it's worth......

[CruzNut]

As I understand it, they (our government in action) ask a lot of personal questions - such as financial, education, age among others. You do NOT have to answer that sort of question. You answer how many people at that address basically. The REST is not their business - and with identity theft so rampant, you really don't want to give them extra info. And the "them" can include so many people who will have access to the info.

I agree with the others - what a waste of time and MONEY to send out a letter saying it's coming ... we don't have enough deficit now for pete's sake. Good gosh.

[Mike M]

I need to know who the "Them" are who have access to the census information?

Take care,
Mike

[Fern]

Originally Posted by CruzNut

As I understand it, they (our government in action) ask a lot of personal questions - such as financial, education, age among others. You do NOT have to answer that sort of question. You answer how many people at that address basically. The REST is not their business - and with identity theft so rampant, you really don't want to give them extra info. And the "them" can include so many people who will have access to the info.

I agree with the others - what a waste of time and MONEY to send out a letter saying it's coming ... we don't have enough deficit now for pete's sake. Good gosh.

While I have nothing to hide, I'm not happy about being asked what I consider very personal information. I have no problem with names and ages (these are also readily available without my input).

[ToddDH]

Wrong Person

Although I'm sure most of you understood, my last post above was directed not to Ron, but to Doug R. I had a career with the State of New York so you can understand, Doug, my confusion.

Todd

[Ron]

I'm just happy they included English on the letter to notify me of the coming info--otherwise I may have not known what it was all about, thereby joining all the others in D.C that knows nothing of what anythings about !!

[skymaster]

Originally Posted by Ron

I'm just happy they included English on the letter to notify me of the coming info--otherwise I may have not known what it was all about, thereby joining all the others in D.C that knows nothing of what anythings about !!

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH!

"SKY"

And if that happened, you'd get a 200K per year salary, and retirement with full pay after only a couple of years or so! (Don't worry about health care either,,,you'd be exempt from all this stuff they're in such a hurry to pass)

[Henry43]

How long ago? I have seen things change quite a bit in the almost 40 years I have been associated with the Federal Government. Yeah there are major problems in areas like FEMA for example. It is not the rank and file that is lacking, when there is a major problem it is usually attributable to the political hacks that head the agency.

By the way, when I worked in our NY office, the NY State government was horrible to work with. If I requested a financial report it took months. When I awarded a grant it took them months to sign it (all along bellowing they were running out of funds. ) because it had to make 27 stops before getting signed . In NJ it made 3 stops and I had it back in a week or two. Of course considering the governor and legislature, it is a miracle that they got anything accomplished.
__________________
I worked for the New York State Department of Labor in 1971 .I was in the Federal office because we worked in conjunction with the US Department of Labor .Our function was to attempt to re-train returning war veterans .

[DougR.]

Originally Posted by Mike M

I need to know who the "Them" are who have access to the census information?

Take care,
Mike

Its the "Them" that send the mind control rays that the terminally paranoid protect themselves from by lining their hats with tinfoil.