2010 census survey isn't optional

[mrbaracuda]

No, I'm in Colorado. The article, if read, quickly reveals it's about the U.S. 2010 census.

Don't assume. Click a link once in a while, fer cryin' out loud.

Nah not in this thread! Never!
Only Brits eat spotted dick, right? RIGHT?

 

[volatile]

The problem, dear one, is that government doesn't need to plan housing

Yes, it does. Where housing should be built, how much should be permitted in specific areas, which forms of construction should be subsidised, which areas lack sufficient social housing and which areas have too much are all the concern of one branch of the government or other.

welfare provision

Yes, it does. Rather obviously, in fact.

infrastructure (local issue)

National road and rail and communication networks are local? Infrastructure is a government concern.

health strategery (not the government's business),

You might not like it (I note you cut and run from the thread on this issue when asked to support your absurd notions on "CommieCare"), but again, yes, it does.

education strategy (local issue),

University funding, the establishment of school systems, the spread of education levels etc. are all government issues.

Are you willing, though, to provide the census information to local rather than national government? I suspect not, as your objections are (as usual) ideological and have little basis in reality.



http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/pdf/d-61b.pdf

 

[wolfgirl]

While I may well share your concerns about government intrustion, privacy, etc., my main comment is that this isn't new. The census, to my knowledge, has always been mandatory, at least as long as I've been filling one out (three times so far, at the risk of giving away my age...). Why are you just now being upset/concerned about it?

 

[geni]

That's a local issue for one.

Nope. Or are you going to claim that no drainage basins or aquifers cross state lines?

Second, I think it's more likely that the federal government thinks it has pockets busting open with cash and there must be, somewhere, a place that could use some "investing." (Translation: "vote buying.")

Nope they are rather in debt in fact. Useing it as a way to estimate where the houseing is below a certain area is useful though.

 

[geni]

Yes indeed. The constituency boundaries in the UK are frequently altered in response to demographic shifts.

But not so much the census these days. Heh recent UK report suggesting we should drop it because it doesn't work as well as other methods these days.

 

[PetersCreek]

I wonder if I'm going to get another questionable call in 2010, as I did in 2000. I don't know if it was phishing, telemarketing, or on-the-level but it went something like this:

So-Called Census Caller: Hello, may I speak to Mr. PetersCreek?
Me: That's me.
SCCC: I'm calling from the Census Bureau to conduct a telephone survey.
Me: I'm not interested, thank you.
SCCC: Well, I just need to know if you have any children in your household.
Me: You don't need to know that.
SCCC: I need to know for the survey.
Me: I just told you, I don't want to participate in your survey.
SCCC: You have to.
Me: Because you say so? And just who are you?
SCCC: I work for the government and this is an official call.
Me: I have no way of verifying your credentials over the phone. You're just a voice on the other end of the line.
SCCC: Look, if you don't have any children in your home, you don't have to answer the rest of the survey.
Me: I don't have to answer the survey, anyway.
SCCC: Blah, blah, blah-blah-blah...

 

[geni]

The problem, dear one, is that government doesn't need to plan housing (people do that nicely on their own),

No they don't. The US has horific urban sprawl (really really bad for an oil importer). Low population density means it has managed to limit the need for things like zoneing laws for a long time but that time is largely over. Throw in the anoying habit of people building beyond the carrying capacity of the land and you have a situation that needs some level of goverment involvement.

welfare provision (this could be a whole other argument, but as far as the census is concerned, what difference does it make to welfare planning how many bedrooms my house has?),

Large numbers probably mean you are unlikely to need much in the way of welfare provision.

infrastructure (local issue),

Hasn't been for centries. Very few places have iron, coal, oil and stone/good quality materials for concrete in the same place.

health strategery (not the government's business),

The existance of epidemics means it is.

education strategy (local issue),

People move around too much post education for centeral goverment to ignore the issue.

 

[slingblade]

While I may well share your concerns about government intrustion, privacy, etc., my main comment is that this isn't new. The census, to my knowledge, has always been mandatory, at least as long as I've been filling one out (three times so far, at the risk of giving away my age...). Why are you just now being upset/concerned about it?

Because last time I didn't get a fine for tossing it in the trash.....

 

[KoihimeNakamura]

I have to say that I really don't get why you WOULDN'T fill out a census information. Demographic information is often useful to anyone who wants to make an decision based on population trends.

Regardless, ServiceSoon, uh.. you may be in error there.

To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.

 

[volatile]

all that sounds rather racist.

Quite the opposite. In fact, such information can act as a check or balance against institutional racism.

 

[madurobob]

I wonder if I'm going to get another questionable call in 2010, as I did in 2000....

Y'know, with the low population density up there in Alaska your one census form could have had a real impact. If you claimed 47 kids, two goats and a panda bear you might have a new school and a zoo by now.

Come to think of it... is that how the whole "bridge to nowhere" got started? Did someone just fudge their census survey a bit?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I enjoy watching the paranoid, nut-right get themselves worked up into a tizzy every 10 years. I guess they figure the gubmit will use the info to come and confiscate their beloved guns.

I will happily fill out my census form, completely and truthfully.

 

[CFLarsen]

We never have a census in Denmark. The central databases with this kind of information are always up to date - literally.

However, it is illegal to store any information on race.

 

[Marquis de Carabas]

I will happily fill out my census form, completely and truthfully.

Then the terrorists have won.

 

[slingblade]

I enjoy watching the paranoid, nut-right get themselves worked up into a tizzy every 10 years. I guess they figure the gubmit will use the info to come and confiscate their beloved guns.

I will happily fill out my census form, completely and truthfully.

I'm apolitical, neither left nor right.

I don't own any guns.

I'm not in a "tizzy."

I admitted the government does need this info, in at least one department, and probably more.

I asked a simple question.

I have made one mistake, though. I'll rectify it right now!

 

[ServiceSoon]

Quite the opposite. In fact, such information can act as a check or balance against institutional racism.

Well, Denmark said this is racist. Are you saying that people from Denmark are stuipid? Don't answer that.

Regardless, ServiceSoon, uh.. you may be in error there.

The fed can only enact laws to execute the foregoing powers. There is nothing in the "foregoing powers" about education, health insurance, housing or welfare.

 

[LTC8K6]

Censuses help governments plan things like housing, welfare provision, infrastructure, health and education strategy and all kinds of things.

Well, they clearly need to use a different method to plan these things...

 

[CFLarsen]

Quite the opposite. In fact, such information can act as a check or balance against institutional racism.

How so?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Then the terrorists have won.

I know. And I helped!

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I'm apolitical, neither left nor right.

I don't own any guns.

I'm not in a "tizzy."

I admitted the government does need this info, in at least one department, and probably more.

I asked a simple question.

I have made one mistake, though. I'll rectify it right now!

Sorry, I wasn't referring to you!

It's just that your post (which raised a valid question) reminded me of what I have to look forward to!