Home › Forums › Early America › The Census and the Constitution
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March 16, 2010 at 8:33 pm #2024
Phidippides
KeymasterThe Constitution (Art. I, Sec. 2) reads, in part:"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."I just got my census form today. Ten questions, I think only one of which actually has to do with the number of people living at my address. Walter E. Williams writes, "The Census Bureau also asks questions about race, and I want to know what does my race have to do with apportioning the U.S. House of Representatives?" I think he has a point. So why is all the extra information requested?
March 16, 2010 at 9:15 pm #19598DonaldBaker
ParticipantThe Constitution (Art. I, Sec. 2) reads, in part:"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."I just got my census form today. Ten questions, I think only one of which actually has to do with the number of people living at my address. Walter E. Williams writes, "The Census Bureau also asks questions about race, and I want to know what does my race have to do with apportioning the U.S. House of Representatives?" I think he has a point. So why is all the extra information requested?
The Census Bureau likes to collect vital statistics to compile them to show demographic trends. As long as the information is for this purpose I have no qualms with it, but when it gets more personal than this, I don't like it.
March 16, 2010 at 9:41 pm #19599Wally
ParticipantTook about 3 minutes… that long because I kept looking for more to fill out. Pretty lame but I agree with Don. It wasn't very personal they could have saved money and just bought the DMV lists from each state. 8)
March 17, 2010 at 8:04 am #19600scout1067
ParticipantI won't get a census form this year because I am overseas. 🙁 I generally like to make marginal comments on mine, at least I did in 1990 and 2000. ;D
March 30, 2010 at 1:00 am #19601GerryMander
ParticipantI'd like to know where in the Constitution it says that the government needs to mail me an announcement stating that the census form will be in my mailbox within a week, then another announcement reminding me to fill it out just days after I've received the actual census itself. Will I get a nice thank you note after my existence has been tallied?
March 30, 2010 at 1:06 am #19602Wally
ParticipantGood point Gerry… lots of dollars wasted to promote something we all should look at like voting… one of our duties. Just count us and cool all the expensive hype.
March 30, 2010 at 1:22 am #19603willyD
ParticipantMight I suggest that both of you fail to comprehend the true purpose of a bureaucracy–even a tiny one thatonly blooms once a decade. Nevermind.
March 30, 2010 at 2:26 am #19604Phidippides
KeymasterI'd like to know where in the Constitution it says that the government needs to mail me an announcement stating that the census form will be in my mailbox within a week, then another announcement reminding me to fill it out just days after I've received the actual census itself. Will I get a nice thank you note after my existence has been tallied?
Not to mention the millions spent on that Superbowl commercial.
Might I suggest that both of you fail to comprehend the true purpose of a bureaucracy--even a tiny one thatonly blooms once a decade. Nevermind.
I think the true purpose of a bureaucracy is to entrench itself and grow itself. As it does this, it tries to justify its existence because it is so entrenched and so large.
March 30, 2010 at 2:41 am #19605Wally
ParticipantI think the true purpose of a bureaucracy is to entrench itself and grow itself. As it does this, it tries to justify its existence because it is so entrenched and so large.
The eternal quest for bigger desk, thicker carpet, and a window office?
March 30, 2010 at 3:38 am #19606willyD
ParticipantWOW!This is an alpha plus group==you do know the true purpose of a bureaucracy in both the public and private sector==metastasize or become impotent and court abolishment.
March 30, 2010 at 9:01 pm #19607DonaldBaker
ParticipantPrivatize everything and be done with it.
March 30, 2010 at 9:33 pm #19608willyD
ParticipantOh you are a card! Privatize the police? Doorway to disaster and return of the Pinkertons. Do not say this too loudly as you will frighten the children
March 30, 2010 at 11:41 pm #19609DonaldBaker
ParticipantOh you are a card! Privatize the police? Doorway to disaster and return of the Pinkertons. Do not say this too loudly as you will frighten the children
Pick your poison, corrupt government, corrupt companies...who cares where the corruption comes from right?
March 31, 2010 at 1:36 am #19610willyD
ParticipantExcellent question–today we have both. If I had to choose, I would choose let the Corporations be corrupt rather than the government. We may be in thrall to the Corporations, but we owe them no allegience and they owe us nothing if we are not a shareholder.
April 1, 2010 at 7:34 pm #19611GerryMander
ParticipantI received another census form in the mail today. The first one I got last week was already sent out. There was a letter inside telling me that if I already sent one in to disregard this one. How much is the government spending on this? So, to fill out one census I need a letter telling me it's coming, then the census it self, then a reminder to send it in, then another copy of the census. I wonder what company got the printing contract for all of this? Whoever they are they're probably making a bundle.
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