Making Sense of the Census

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hood on June 3, 2009 at 9:36pm

So those were the guys knocking on my door . . . money is obviously a hot topic right now, but I don't get the spanish question.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Stuck on June 3, 2009 at 11:19pm

The only thing you need to answer from the census is how many people live there and gender. They will call and threaten but just keep repeating the same thing.

The census is now in the Whitehouse, not where it is supposed to be.

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Permalink Reply by Tino Marquez Jr. on June 4, 2009 at 8:30am

That is what everyone should be concerned about is that the census is under the executive branch for the (first time in history?) and that ACORN is involved.

Steve, not that I'm doubting you, but do you have some info on what we are legally obligated to answer? A link? I'm curious, because as of right now, I've pretty much decided I will NOT deal with anyone employeed or volunteering for ACORN, I can't be the only one who feels this way.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Stuck on June 4, 2009 at 9:21am

I heard a lawyer give a lecture on census information about a year ago. He said that is the only information you should give out. Just enough to make it legal. We did not go into detail on the law itself.

Another thing the Census is doing is placing an electronic device in your yard to map out your address. They point it at your door from about 40 feet out. They are doing this without getting permission.

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Permalink Reply by Linda J Ranger on June 4, 2009 at 9:29am

It sounds like you are answering a different survey "The American Community Survey" than the short census count that will be mailed next year in March. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6774274/2010-Census-Questions-Galore Is this the questionaire you received? Yikes... it sure gets personal. I am glad I did not receive this.

The regular census form only asks 7 questions.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/recent_news/011812.html

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Feldman on June 4, 2009 at 1:50pm

A lot of good answers so far! Thank you!

Linda, the people calling my home are representing themselves as being from the Census Bureau and thank me for completing the Census questionnaire. The only document that I have completed thus far is "The American Community Survey," which I believe is the Census. I am holding a copy of this now. The envelope reads that it is from the US Census Bureau -- and in bold letters it reads that "Your response is required by law."

This may sound outlandish, but let me suggest what is happening here. The Obama campaign was certainly the most comprehensive and sophisticated political campaigns ever run -- even though it was fluff with no real substance. It was "the sizzle" that won the campaign for Obama, not the meat of his platform and content of his debates and speeches. His administration is all about marketing.

Now, "The American Community Survey," or Census, is a marketer's dream. The company, or political party, that has access to all of this personal, economic, and demographic information on every citizen and resident in the country will be able to target groups with pinpoint accuracy and feed to them any information that they WANT to hear.

Does this seem crazy? I would like to know more of your thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Allison Barber on June 18, 2009 at 2:09pm

I agree with many others on this topic. Why do they need to know all of this information? I would look deeper into the legalities of the situation and only answer what I had to. Down with big government!

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