Posts in "US Census"

By Adam Fowler at 9:32PM

Apr 2, 2010

Recount?

Coincidentally, on the official "Census Day," my household received a second 2010 Census form to fill out. Not a different one, the same form. I had already filled the original form out a few weeks ago and returned it; you know, because I didn't want that fine.

The Census Director explained why on his blog:

... for areas of the country that have traditionally returned the mailed form at lower rates, we will mail a replacement questionnaire ... in some areas, we will mail a replacement form to every address, whether they returned a form or not.

That's typical government efficiency for you. Makes me wonder what would happen if I filled it out again. Would my community get even more federal government money that is supposedly our "fair share" (read: money from other taxpayers for activities and programs not authorized by the U.S. Constitution)?

Perhaps I should have some fun this time by returning it with a note attached quoting Art. 1, Sec. 2 of the Constitution, which authorizes the "actual enumeration" of people, not their race or ethnicity and definitely not other information that is included in the longer form known as the "American Community Survey." Then again, why waste money to mail it back and have it go through the system again? Enough money has already been wasted on these questions and the dubious government activities they enable.

Posted in:

3 comments

By Elliot Engstrom at 7:27PM

Mar 16, 2010

Respond to the Census...or Else

The letter that Ralph Groves, Director of the US Census Bureau, recently sent to the American people certainly gives an insight into the nature of the federal government. Not only are the federal government's policies blatantly coercive and intrusive, but they also are stated as if the American people were a bunch of three-year-olds being cared for by their loving mommy who just always knows what's best. Groves writes:

Your response is important. Results from the 2010 Census will be used to help each community get its fair share of government funds for highways, schools, health facilities, and many other programs you and your neighbors need. Without a complete, accurate census, your community may not receive its fair share.

Jacob Hornberger provides some interesting commentary on this particular passage at The Future of Freedom Foundation:

In that one paragraph lies the plunderbund society in all it majestic glory. Everyone is supposed to feel morally obligated to answer all those intrusive questions in order to ensure that his community receives its fair share of the loot forcibly collected by the Internal Revenue Service during the course of the year, but especially on April 15.

YAL Welcomes Illustrator Brian Defferding

YAL is excited to announce the addition of political cartoonist and illustrator Brian Defferding to its staff. With that said, we bring you Brian's first YAL exclusive political cartoon.

Solicitors