Should I answer all of the questions on the census form? I don't believe the federal government has any business concerning itself with my race or whether or not I own my home. In fact, I refused to fill in the "race" question on at least one of the birth certificate questionnaires for my children (although that was a state rather than federal query). So I have three options: 1) just do it, you should obey the law and it's no big deal 2) only answer questions 1 and 2 since they are the only questions actually allowed by the constitution but risk a fine of $100 for each unanswered question 3) answer the questions incorrectly so I avoid any potential fines but don't give the federal government what they want. Does the fact that I'm even considering options 2 and 3 make me a right wing nut-job or a freedom-loving, fascialist-slaying patriot? I'll put a poll up so you all can vote (on the three options, not the nut-job vs. patriot question).
Here's a Freedom Watch interview on the census with GMU economist Walter Williams.
As a person who's used a lot of (and needed a lot more) comprehensive census and survey data, I have a hard time not participating in such a thing. I don't really care if they know what race my kids are, especially if it helps some poor economist out there have a complete dataset.
Also, when I was filling mine out, I asked Elliot (who's two) how old he is, he said, "I'm black!!" I said, "no, how old are you?" and he responded, with his eyes wide open and nodding his head, "I'm *black*."
I still filled out the thing correctly.
*Requiring* information, rather than just requesting it, doesn't seem quite right to me, but since I would probably respond anyway, it doesn't bother me too much.
I am with Aaron. The government knowing your race isn't going to hurt you or your children at all, so why resist? It just helps with statistics, and I don't see a problem with that.
Also, just because something has not been tested by the courts, doesn't mean it's "unconstitutional." That was an inappropriate statement by that FoxNews guy (whose name I don't know). If it hasn't been tested in court, the most he can say is that HE BELIEVES it's unconstitutional.
I appreciate this symbolic vote, but your friends cannot decide this for you. The only vote that matters is mine and I say we fill it out--I thought we'd already discussed this.
not filling it out, or filling it out incorrectly really only hurts struggling college sociology students that need data for their assignments. So your sticking it to them, not the government.
On my mission (in 2000) we had what seemed to be a lengthy census. I remember filling it out during morning study and being very detailed and honest in the answers I gave and I mailed in.
Soon thereafter I got transferred to another area where my new companion told me "yeah, I wrote on the census that we had, like, 30 Mexicans living here. It was so funny dude!" Like most, I was nervous some Agent Smith type would come and drag us to jail, beat us senseless, or give us some big heavy duty fine.
Later, a few months later if I remember right, we did get a knock on the door. A guy around his 50's with a straw hat and a "Census 2000" button was there. Looked at me, my companion, checked something on his clipboard, and walked away without saying a word to either of us.
It seems that all not filling the thing out does is get some dude to come to your door and ask the questions, or head count and NOT ask questions, whatever the case may be. I think there are some government policies or practices to be leery of, but this seems a bit like straining at a gnat...
Lastly, for every Fox News embed I get an MSNBC embed. Deal? Deal.
I too have used much census data in my research, especially that for the Church. It's a valuable resource for many persons and organizations. Just fill it out!
To all those saying "what can it hurt for the government to know your race", it's not them having the statistics that is the problem, it's what they are going to do with them. What racist policies will they enact using those statistics as justification? I'm going to do either #2 or 3 personally.
I bet they set up mandatory inter-racial culinary requirements, where black people have to eat Thai food, Korean people have to eat Mexican food and where Canadians have to eat English food (just to try to drive them back north of the border). I wouldn't put it past this socialist, fascist government to do just that. I'm moving to Canada until the census relinquishes its claim to this dangerous and damaging information.
Rob, I thought you were tightening down on these anonymous comments.
Posts
As a person who's used a lot of (and needed a lot more) comprehensive census and survey data, I have a hard time not participating in such a thing. I don't really care if they know what race my kids are, especially if it helps some poor economist out there have a complete dataset.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when I was filling mine out, I asked Elliot (who's two) how old he is, he said, "I'm black!!" I said, "no, how old are you?" and he responded, with his eyes wide open and nodding his head, "I'm *black*."
I still filled out the thing correctly.
*Requiring* information, rather than just requesting it, doesn't seem quite right to me, but since I would probably respond anyway, it doesn't bother me too much.
I am with Aaron. The government knowing your race isn't going to hurt you or your children at all, so why resist? It just helps with statistics, and I don't see a problem with that.
ReplyDeleteAlso, just because something has not been tested by the courts, doesn't mean it's "unconstitutional." That was an inappropriate statement by that FoxNews guy (whose name I don't know). If it hasn't been tested in court, the most he can say is that HE BELIEVES it's unconstitutional.
Only answer questions 1 & 2. I am curious to see if you get slapped with a fine.
ReplyDeleteMcKay, I've read that the fine has never been enforced, so . . . it sounds like a low-risk form of civil disobedience.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this symbolic vote, but your friends cannot decide this for you. The only vote that matters is mine and I say we fill it out--I thought we'd already discussed this.
ReplyDeleteI'd answer the first 2, then write in your race as "American" (that's the option I've heard that makes the most sense from others.
ReplyDeleteI vote for "listen to your wife"
ReplyDeletenot filling it out, or filling it out incorrectly really only hurts struggling college sociology students that need data for their assignments. So your sticking it to them, not the government.
On my mission (in 2000) we had what seemed to be a lengthy census. I remember filling it out during morning study and being very detailed and honest in the answers I gave and I mailed in.
ReplyDeleteSoon thereafter I got transferred to another area where my new companion told me "yeah, I wrote on the census that we had, like, 30 Mexicans living here. It was so funny dude!" Like most, I was nervous some Agent Smith type would come and drag us to jail, beat us senseless, or give us some big heavy duty fine.
Later, a few months later if I remember right, we did get a knock on the door. A guy around his 50's with a straw hat and a "Census 2000" button was there. Looked at me, my companion, checked something on his clipboard, and walked away without saying a word to either of us.
It seems that all not filling the thing out does is get some dude to come to your door and ask the questions, or head count and NOT ask questions, whatever the case may be. I think there are some government policies or practices to be leery of, but this seems a bit like straining at a gnat...
Lastly, for every Fox News embed I get an MSNBC embed. Deal? Deal.
I like low-risk civil disobedience. But I don't know...it sounds like Taliatha might make you sleep on the couch.
ReplyDeleteI too have used much census data in my research, especially that for the Church. It's a valuable resource for many persons and organizations. Just fill it out!
ReplyDeleteCome on, Rob. The wife has spoken.
ReplyDeletehttp://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/first-presidency-urges-church-members-to-participate-in-u-s-census
ReplyDeletethis is a good one too. The Mormon Ethic of Civility
ReplyDeletewhy is this even an issue?
ReplyDeleteYou're too good at soccer to be a right wing nut job. Wait a minute... what happened to your soccer skills?
ReplyDeleteKarl J? Excellent! Glad to see you here!
ReplyDeleteTo anon: I don't respond to anonymous comments.
To all those saying "what can it hurt for the government to know your race", it's not them having the statistics that is the problem, it's what they are going to do with them. What racist policies will they enact using those statistics as justification? I'm going to do either #2 or 3 personally.
ReplyDeleteI bet they set up mandatory inter-racial culinary requirements, where black people have to eat Thai food, Korean people have to eat Mexican food and where Canadians have to eat English food (just to try to drive them back north of the border). I wouldn't put it past this socialist, fascist government to do just that. I'm moving to Canada until the census relinquishes its claim to this dangerous and damaging information.
ReplyDeleteRob, I thought you were tightening down on these anonymous comments.
We haven't decided how to handle anonymous comments. I'm leaning towards not allowing them.
ReplyDelete