Editorial
Census: A Little Too Personal
Last week Congress voted to encourage participation in the 2010 census. I voted "No" on this resolution for the simple, obvious reason that the census – like so many government programs – has grown far beyond what the framers of our Constitution intended. The invasive nature of the current census raises serious questions about how and why government will use the collected information. It also demonstrates how the federal bureaucracy consistently encourages citizens to think of themselves in terms of groups, rather than as individual Americans. The not so subtle implication is that each group, whether ethnic, religious, social, or geographic, should speak up and demand its "fair share" of federal largesse.
Article I, section 2 of the Constitution calls for an enumeration of citizens every ten years, for the purpose of apportioning congressional seats among the various states. In other words, the census should be nothing more than a headcount. It was never intended to serve as a vehicle for gathering personal information on citizens.
But our voracious federal government thrives on collecting information. In fact, to prepare for the 2010 census state employees recorded GPS coordinates for every front door in the United States so they could locate individuals with greater accuracy! Once duly located, individuals are asked detailed questions concerning their name, address, race, home ownership, and whether they periodically spend time in prison or a nursing home – just to name a few examples.
From a constitutional perspective, of course, the answer to each of these questions is: "None of your business." But why is the government so intent on compiling this information in the first place?
The Census Bureau claims that collected information is not shared with any federal agency; but rather is kept under lock and key for 72 years. It also claims that no information provided to census takers can be used against you by the government.
However, these promises can and have been abused in the past. Census data has been used to locate men who had not registered for the draft. Census data also was used to find Japanese-Americans for internment camps during World War II. Furthermore, the IRS has applied census information to detect alleged tax evaders. Some local governments even have used census data to check for compliance with zoning regulations.
It is not hard to imagine that information compiled by the census could be used against people in the future, despite claims to the contrary and the best intentions of those currently in charge of the Census Bureau. The government can and does change its mind about these things, and people have a right to be skeptical about government promises.
Yet there are consequences for not submitting to the census and its intrusive questions. If the form is not mailed back in time, households will experience the "pleasure" of a visit by a government worker asking the questions in person. If the government still does not get the information it wants, it can issue a fine of up to $5000.
If the federal government really wants to increase compliance with the census, it should abide by the Constitution and limit its inquiry to one simple question: How many people live here?
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Posted by Patricia A.Hartwig on 03/18/10 07:37 PM
Does this include all the illegals who snuck across the border?
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Posted by George Owens on 03/17/10 11:28 AM
Give your census information and take your chances, or not. Better to have accurate than inaccurate information.As to accuracy of information, you may also consider the areas of ballot box stuffing as well as the various federal monies that flow into local communities according to census data.
Lack of trust is a terribly serious matter. I am in agreement with Dr. Ron Paul, and I believe overstepping authority is a breach of trust.
Looking a little further into data file maintenance on individual citizens, you may want to consider the subjects of identity theft (credit), and health care identity theft. I have found that there is little or no individual protection. Any citizen is subject to arrest and being held until the authorities 'figure it out' should your identity be stolen by a felon who has outstanding bench warrants.
Or consider a woman who checks into a hospital and has a baby under your health care identity. Presto, you have a new child relative; it is public record.
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Posted by B_Unsheepled on 03/16/10 11:06 AM
See if you can get this filled outby the ones that come to you door.Especially the part about being liable for compromised and lost data.Covers the public laws governing this ...
Public Servant Questionaire
Click to view link~doghouse/pubsrv.htm
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Posted by Pragmatico on 03/15/10 03:57 PM
I received my census form today. I found nothing, anyplace, that says I MUST answer all (or any of) the questions, or anything that speaks of (or even hints at) penalties for failure to do so. However, the prelude to the first question--which stands alone in a box along with question 1--says, "The Census must count every person living in the United States on [sic] April 1, 2010" (they really mean "as of"). The first question asks only for the number of people living at my residence and nothing more. That's the Constitutional part. I've taken it as my duty as a U.S. resident to answer the first question, only. Seems they have made it easy.
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Posted by KS on 03/15/10 11:05 AM
I received the first letter from the census, making me aware that the census form would be arriving in about a week. My very first thought was , this is odd. Why waste the postage and time to send the first letter, just think of the cost incurred for only that first letter that could have been included with the census. More government waste.
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Posted by Scott on 03/14/10 10:41 PM
"Will the illiterate be fined/imprisoned for non-compliance?"
Robert Heinlein, in a book titled "Have Spacesuit, Will Travel" suggested that while the IRS could require a man to fill out a 1040 form, the US Government that chartered it could not require a man to read and write.
I applaud your technique and argument. Robert would be proud. If I may continue though, I might suggest that this is twiddly-dee and nonsense; if we all decide to hide in a bog and wait for the world to pass us by, it will. This country was not built by weak men who hid in the woods. It was built by strong men who spent a fair amount of time in the woods.
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Posted by Scott on 03/14/10 08:46 PM
"Aaahhh ... but scott-the disinformation and scrambled up numbers they have...they can't find bin laden."
Treetop (apologies to Mr. Stills), my suspicion is that nobody really wants to find Mr. Bin Laden. On a more personal note, I assume VISA knows where to send your bills?
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Posted by Jeanne on 03/14/10 01:25 PM
Because I am a product of failing public schools, I am unable to read or write. Therefore I shall just make my X mark on the bottom of the form:)
Will the illiterate be fined/imprisoned for non-compliance?
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Posted by TONY on 03/14/10 12:15 PM
CAN THEY REALLY FIND YOU $5000 IF YOU DON'T ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS? I'M GOING TO SUBMIT ONLY TO A HEAD COUNT.
Reply from The Daily Bell
Caps off, please.
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Posted by Bill Ross on 03/14/10 12:14 PM
Predators require detailed information regarding YOU in order to prey. They also require YOUR ignorance so you will be submissive prey...This is the REAL purpose of census privacy intrusion.
http://www.cli.gs/IntelligentChoice
Reply from The Daily Bell
Good point.
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Posted by Boatman----another Scott on 03/14/10 08:11 AM
aaahhh ... but scott-the disinformation and scrambled up numbers they have...they can't find bin laden.
signed, flying under the radar
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Posted by Scott on 03/14/10 01:47 AM
If you guys really think the US government needs a college kid in a boy scout uniform to mark your house on a GPS before they can find you, you're stone cold fools.
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Posted by Rage on 03/13/10 09:40 PM
Thanks Ron and Jimi Bear. I intend to answer just that. Who lived here on April 1st? By the way, I scored big! I found a 3 X 4 discarded poster for Ron Paul 2008. It should work in 12. Don't back down! Viva the revolution!
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Posted by Jimi BigBear on 03/13/10 05:36 PM
Actually the fine is only $100 OR LESS for not answering - up to $5,000 for submitting FALSE information.
The simple solution - within the letter of the stupid and invasive US Code, and along the lines of non-violent resistance - is to spend April 1st somewhere else.
The form wants to know who lived at the residence on April 1st, 2010. You can truthfully say, IF asked, "no one."
Then you're clear for the next decade - one which will hopefully see the federal government become a memory - as it is downsized out of existence and the power goes back to the States and the People where it belongs.
The KEY is to reclaim the MONEY POWER to the Rightful Sovereign: We the People, by creating PUBLIC State banks like the Bank of North Dakota, followed by PUBLIC money - get rid of the PRIVATE FED cartel's monopoly money.
Reply from The Daily Bell
Thanks for the info!
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Posted by Kip Poindexter on 03/13/10 04:08 PM
Agree with Mike Eck. They will get their constitutional information only. They can send their workers and they can fine me $5,000 but they still will not get it.
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Posted by D. Stewart Armstrong on 03/13/10 02:57 PM
I totally agree with Dr. Paul's position.The government has is trying to take over ever facet of our lives from bird to death. At some point, babies will be "chipped"; just like dogs and birds.
Cradle to the Grave ... Whether it be the manipulation of the financial markets,lies on behalf of their own agendas, or any overt deception there is only one thing to do and that is to unite and take OUR Country Back--one vote and a time.
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Posted by Kip Poindexter on 03/13/10 02:42 PM
Agree with Mike Eck. They will get their constitutional information only. They can send their workers and they can fine me $5,000 but they still will not get it.
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Posted by Amishfarmer on 03/13/10 01:31 PM
And what do you expect from a government filled with blacks and jews who are also socialists?
Reply from The Daily Bell
What about the Amish?
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Posted by Mike Eck on 03/13/10 12:34 PM
I intend to list the number of people living in this house and that is all I intend to list...in 2000 I got the long form and they did not get it back.
They tried a few times to get the extra info, but were not successful. If the above is the Steve LaBianca who lived in Richmond about 8 years ago, feel free to contact me at
mikeck@Click to view link
These signs will hopefully discourage the Gestapo:
Click to view link Mike
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Posted by Duane Bass on 03/13/10 09:42 AM
Intrusive, unethical, unAmerican, immoral, unConstitutional, no I am not talking about the elected officials in DC, I am talking about the census forms questions. All the get from me is my name!
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