Topic: Census form

[diamondback]

Sad thing is, I actually considered applying for this.  It hurts to stand by your morals and beliefs, but considering this would have only been a temporary employment anyway, I have too

[z_randy]

Hey Obama can say he created jobs now!  All those door to door census people

[diamondback]

My turn for an AMEN BROTHER! 

The 40% that pay taxes ...  do you have a source for that?  40% of what?  everyone living in America?  40% of registered voters?  40% of vehicle owners who are actually paying auto insurance?

Aftrthought's opinion reflects my own.  MILLIONS spent on this, and for what?  Something we know is coming anyway??  F'ing ridiculous.  Your tax dollars at work!

[Aftrthought051]

Only 40% of the population pays taxes though.  I agree that they don't need to know everything, just how many ppl.  That's it.  But like Randy said, I've filled out more info on credit card applications.  Hell, even on surveys I put more information.

My beef is the ad campaign.  200 million dollars to send out cards saying that in a week you will get your survey.  WTF!!  It's not like if you order something online, you get a letter in the mail saying to expect your package in a week.  And then a f*cking tv commercial.  Are you f*cking serious?  But yet we can b*tch about how much we spend on a war that could be money spent at home, but look what they f*cking do w/ it.  For crying out loud, it's like watching a pregnant woman buy alcohol w/ her last check instead of food.  F*cking tragic!

[keetedw]

All told, isn't this really just a "our population grew by 'x %' so we'll need to increase funding (read: taxes) by '$y' to continue to support them all"

I mean, where else does the money for policies, hospitals, schools and police come from?

[keetedw]

Purpose of the Census
This is from the last census but the reasons remain the same.  

The Constitution  requires that the number of members each state sends to the U.S. House of Representatives be based its share of the nation's population. Article I Section 2 of the Constitution further specifies that the number of seats in the House (as set by the Congress) are to be distributed proportionally among the states on the basis of a census to be conducted every ten years.

Why All These Questions?

Most Americans do not realize what is at stake when they fill out (or choose not to fill out) their census forms. Many people, particularly among the one in six who have received the "long form" of the Census, have expressed concern about the amount of detail they are asked to provide about themselves and their households. They wonder why the government needs so much information about individual Americans.

In addition to collecting population data for the purposes of accurately apportioning congressional districts, the federal government uses census data, among other reasons, to determine:

    * The allocation of federal funding for education programs in states and communities.
    * National social and health statistics used by a variety of agencies for policy purposes.
    * The allocation of federal dollars for law enforcement, federal highway projects, aid to farmers and many other federally financed activities and programs.
    * A wide variety of economic statistics that become the basis of the nation's economic policies.

Yeah, I've read the political/public excuse on the current 2010 census website as well, but it still doesn't make sense.

Federal Funding for education...that goes back to my previous point that the schools already report that.  I have yet to see funding come into a city because "hey, we ran the numbers and it looks like you're going to have an influx of new students next year, so here's money for 2 more schools".

Social and Health?  So they can accurately predict how long before social security runs out of money?  So they can accurately predict what percentage of tax the american public will have to pay when we get this new free health?

And seriously...economic policies?  It's pretty clear the general public isn't being listened to in this regard...at least not with this administration (Full disclosure, I'm not ANTI-Obama).

The 3rd bullet is the only one that makes sense, but even then it should just be "what's your current physical address and how many adults and how many kids live there".  There's no need for them to know I'm native...the fact that I'm a shareholder (given when you're born or passed on from relatives, you don't buy these shares) in a native corp should be record enough of THAT detail of my life.

All that said, I imagine I'll fill it out and send it in.

[z_randy]

Purpose of the Census
This is from the last census but the reasons remain the same.  

The Constitution  requires that the number of members each state sends to the U.S. House of Representatives be based its share of the nation's population. Article I Section 2 of the Constitution further specifies that the number of seats in the House (as set by the Congress) are to be distributed proportionally among the states on the basis of a census to be conducted every ten years.

Why All These Questions?

Most Americans do not realize what is at stake when they fill out (or choose not to fill out) their census forms. Many people, particularly among the one in six who have received the "long form" of the Census, have expressed concern about the amount of detail they are asked to provide about themselves and their households. They wonder why the government needs so much information about individual Americans.

In addition to collecting population data for the purposes of accurately apportioning congressional districts, the federal government uses census data, among other reasons, to determine:

    * The allocation of federal funding for education programs in states and communities.
    * National social and health statistics used by a variety of agencies for policy purposes.
    * The allocation of federal dollars for law enforcement, federal highway projects, aid to farmers and many other federally financed activities and programs.
    * A wide variety of economic statistics that become the basis of the nation's economic policies.

[diamondback]

Remember now, that's Johann, the Asian female  I don't have ANY problem letting the gov't know how many live under my roof...  beyond that, it's already on file, somewhere.  I miss Ronald.  I miss when gov't wasn't as involved in our private lives as we've allowed it too.  Taxes, is one of my biggest beefs - tight second to the illegals.  Being taxed on my previously paid taxes ...  you've got to be kidding me.  Unemployment benefits are considered income, so I'm taxed on it.  When my kids grow up, and move on to college, I might consider moving back home, finding a village, and just drop off the grid

[vegaskiller73]

Never did I think about it like that. They already know who we are by us paying taxes.

So then what's the big deal to take 5 minutes and mail it in.  (and how many people lie on their taxes?) Doesn't cost you anything.  May help in the end.  You give more info when you fill out a credit card application.  Just didn't see it as such a big deal or encroachment in my life.

I'm not saying he's right. But he does have a good point. What do we pay all these people for in the IRS and Gov't for if we have to do this ourselves.
It's kinda like the self-checkouts at Lowes, but then they have overhead charges for employees. See what I'm saying?
I plan to fill mine out.

[keetedw]

I'm up in the air about this as well.  School's have their own paperwork parents are supposed to fill out that the school submits for federal funding.  I could see it helping determine state vs. local school funds, but even then, the school's themselves should be able to accurately report exactly how many students they have and I would assume our government knows how to add (5+3 = $1.8 billion...right?).

Same with the hospitals, senior centers, etc.  Do we really think that just because we checked "2 males and 1 female living here that are asian, hispanic and irish" all these places are automagically going to get more federal funding?

I don't know...I guess I just don't understand what it's REALLY used for.  What I'm seeing on the website, well, there are other ways to get that information and other ways they already DO get that money.

I know my info is out there already so I'm not so concerned about privacy.

Seriously, though.  They're paying around $12 an hour, plus mileage, for people to knock on doors.  How many millions is that just to count heads?

[z_randy]

Never did I think about it like that. They already know who we are by us paying taxes.

So then what's the big deal to take 5 minutes and mail it in.  (and how many people lie on their taxes?) Doesn't cost you anything.  May help in the end.  You give more info when you fill out a credit card application.  Just didn't see it as such a big deal or encroachment in my life.

[vegaskiller73]

 

Interesting twist you spend on it Johann.

Never did I think about it like that. They already know who we are by us paying taxes.

[Paul Mckelvey]

CAN I GET AN AMEN BROTHER

[Paul Mckelvey]

CAN

[diamondback]

Right, and 2000 years ago, all that was asked, were how many in a household.  Not what my race is, what my DOB is, not what my name is, or what my sex is.  And while I am aware I'm not hiding anything by not filling it out 'correctly', I also feel I shouldn't have too, because all my information is already provided on my tax return forms, my mortgage loan, my credit cards ...

I can't feel I'm hurting my local gov't anywhere near as much as the millions upon millions of illegal immigrants allowed here, to grab up all the free health care, food stamps, and every other gov't aid, all while not being bothered to even try to learn our primary language, and have even gotten so bold as to come to expect it.  But am I able to use such resources, if I need them?  Sure, but have any of you actually TRIED to use it?  The steps and hoops I had to jump through, just to be told we made $150 more than the maximum allowed, to be eligible. Now tell me, how is it a family of 5, who have all lived here (the US, I mean) their entire lives, pay taxes, registered to vote (thereby knowing they would be called for jury duty - another US requirement), with one working spouse making $15/hr at the time, still makes more than enough to be eligible?  But, an illegal immigrant family of 6-7, is practically GIVEN everything they ask for?


All of my information is already out there.  You want it?  Do your job, and look for it.  Don't waste my tax money, and come knock on my door with threats of fines to get it

[Leukoi]

I'm sure there were ancient Romans who were pissing and moaning about it too.  It's just become a part of life for the last, oh, 2,000 years. 

[AIRWAVES]

You are just hurting your local community. It effects how much money your schools get and allot of other local things done with federal money. So when your city and state raise your taxes to cover lost federal money. Hope you feel you got one over on the man.

[Adrian's Dad]

Not that I think you'd actually get caught or if they really even check, but isn't it against the law to put false information on the census?

All our information was accurate, but I'm not paranoid enough to lie yet. 

[rob_ferg]

I know it's to determine how may Reps are needed for my state,

we have to many politicians anyway, so if this helps us get rid of some, then my household has -5 people in it 

[Frobozz]

Answer yours how you will, but AFAIC, the gov't does not need to know my name, phone number, DOB nor ethnicity

They know it all already anyway, so you're not really hiding yourself in any effective way.

[diamondback]

If you haven't already, I got mine today.  I know it's to determine how may Reps are needed for my state, and to help determine how much federal funding my state will be granted.  But asking me for my name, sex, age, DOB and ethnicity?  Not happenin.  And, even tho there are more than indicated, I've entered "1" for number of persons living at this address.  Looking at it, it asks how many at this address, all enclosed in a 'box' with the instructions.  The rest of the questions are outside the box.  Why?

So, I've decided to enter the information how I see fit.  Subsequently, my name is Johann Bach, I'm an Asian female born on Dec 25, 0001.  I've also scribbled out my phone number, because, suddenly, I don't have a phone number

I may also be able to avoid all this, anyway, due to a technicality.  The address is wrong, and the county no longer recognizes that address

Answer yours how you will, but AFAIC, the gov't does not need to know my name, phone number, DOB nor ethnicity