The Census is Here. Oh Crap.

[Bruce Clemens]

If the government wants it so bad as to market it like this:

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

Then it can't be good...



Honestly. The Census Road Tour?

In the following posts, let's explore what the Census was supposed to be...and like so many other things now writ Orwellian, what it is now.

[Charles Drago]

Just lie to the bastards.

Just a joke ... not advocating breaking the law ...

[Magda Hassan]

The census in Australia used to be anonymous but since some time in the 1980's one has had to include name and address and D.O.B. and there is jail and fines for not complying. Supposedly the reason for this change is for future historical research, like when your grandchildren want to find out about you. Why they can't find out from the family I have no idea. I've managed since that time never to have spent a night at home on census night. Other friends have had the whole of the Zimbabwean football team and Jamaican cricket team staying at their home and have put their religion down as 'Jedi' and other such fantasies. Given that most people I know just fill it up now with total crap I have no idea how useful the information gathered is anymore. I'm sure there are ton of obedient drones who still fill it in properly but.....I can't take it seriously knowing that it is crap in and crap out.

[Magda Hassan]

GOP Sends Out Fake "Census" Forms



Source: Washington Post, January 25, 2010 The Republican National Committee (RNC) has sent out fund raising mailers that mimic the appearance of the 2010 U.S. Census forms, which started going out this week. The letters are sent in plain white envelopes bearing the words "2010 Congressional District Census" and "Do Not Destroy, Official Document." They word "census" is spelled with a capital "C," the same as the U.S. Census Bureau. The letter says it contains a "Census Tracking Code," and asks leading political questions, like "Do you think the record trillion dollar federal deficit the Democrats are creating with their out-of-control spending is going to have disastrous consequences for our nation?" and, "Do you worry that the Obama administration is committed to greatly expanding the government's role in your life?" A RNC spokeswoman defended the document, saying it was clearly marked as an RNC mailer and it was not an attempt to mislead voters. Democrats claim the letter is part of a deceptive pattern by Republicans. The U.S. Census Bureau spokesman, Michael Cook, said he has received several complaints about the forms from voters who thought it was misleading. The U.S. Postal Service declined to investigate the matter. One recipient of the letter was the Democratic governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, who got his at the governor's mansion.

http://www.prwatch.org/node/8859

[Bruce Clemens]

GOP Sends Out Fake "Census" Forms
... The U.S. Postal Service declined to investigate the matter.

"MAIL FRAUD - 18 U.S.C. 1341, makes it a Federal crime or offense for anyone to use the United States mails in carrying out a scheme to defraud.
A person can be found guilty of that offense only if all of the following facts are proved: First: That the person knowingly and willfully devised a scheme to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false pretenses, representations or promises; and Second: That the person used the United States Postal Service by mailing, or by causing to be mailed, some matter or thing for the purpose of executing the scheme to defraud."

OK, so money was not demanded, but I think USPS lawyers could make a strong case that my TIME is my PROPERTY (especially if I am a governor!) in which case this is clearly mail fraud.

But...
... The U.S. Postal Service declined to investigate the matter.

[Bruce Clemens]

Good question. On first blush it would seem superfluous to a free nation. After all, we had just gotten away from a monarchy and an empire and we were clearing new political ground with a constitutional republic...something never tried previously. Heady stuff!

A Census's value to a king or emperor is clear...it's in his interest to know just how many able bodied men in his hinterlands he can conscript, or how many might rise against him.

Hell, it was Pharoah's census that caused someone on the order of Jesus Christ to be born in a stable, for Christ's sake! So it is apparent that censuses (censi?) are very important to tyrants and despots.

So why is there a Census in the US Constitution?

Well, it may be because there was a legitimate need to know the accurate population count for representation in government. What a concept! The more people affected by government's decisions, the more people get to lobby for them.

Apportionment of Seats in the House
Clause 3. [Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons].344 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. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made,...


OK, so once we get past the archaic ideas of free persons, indentured servants, Indians and folk who are only 3/5 of a person, we see that the Constitution of the United States, which last time I looked was still supposed to be the Law of the Land, and which last time I checked, was what all elected officials were sworn to uphold and defend, allows Americans to be COUNTED for the purpose of taxation and representation.

[Bruce Clemens]

Right from the start, IBM developed business solutions for the Third Reich. In April 1933, the Hitler regime began a census of all Germans, partly aimed at identifying Jews.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/jun2001/ibm-j27.shtml

[Bruce Clemens]

Other friends have had the whole of the Zimbabwean football team and Jamaican cricket team staying at their home and have put their religion down as 'Jedi' and other such fantasies.

Holy Cow, Magda, I wish I had your friends! What a hoot! PLEASE invite me over to your next party :hello:

[Bruce Clemens]

DOG CENSUS NOTICE
TOWN OF COLDEN

Under Article 7 of NYS Agriculture and Markets Law, Section 109, all dogs four months of age or older must be licensed in the municipality in which they are harbored.

In accordance with the law, the Town of Colden is conducting a census of all dogs and puppies harbored within the Town. Below is an Affidavit of Dog Ownership that should be completed and returned to the Town
Clerk’s Office at 8812 State Road, PO Box 335, Colden, NY 14033 or if you do not have a dog, sign and return the form below. Penalties can occur for non-compliance.

What's good enough for Jesus...

[Bruce Clemens]

Our government hard at work...why?



When the Federal Government says "Don't be afraid."...well...