More Government Intrusion

I'm pretty sure there's no plundering going on.

Ah yes, because we know for a fact that all 650,000 census workers in American are honest, law abiding people.


http://blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2...-your-absence/

Oh come on - I am a landlord and I know how the law works. I am not allowed to enter a rented property without the tenant's consent unless there is an emergency ( for example, we suspect that a person or animal needs help, something is on fire etc.). The state where I own property requires that I give 48 hrs notice in cases of inspections by fire marshalls, insurance adjusters etc.

Disgusting. Luckily it's just 2010 they can do this, presumably only 'til the 2010 deadline- whenever that is Anyone know? 4th of July?

I don't think this is true....I worked for the 2000 census and we certainly didn't go into anyone's home. I wonder if that's in the REALLY old census laws and someone thought it was interesting.

Anyway, the Drudge Report doesn't list any references or anything. I'd like to see the actual law that supposedly allows for that.

Dottie's aunt has worked for the Census for many years, doing follow-ups. They DO have quite a bit of law on their side; it's not a good idea to refuse to answer the questions, because they WILL do their best to find out the truth.

Just because someone CAN be fined, doesn't mean they WILL be. I doubt any landlord would have a problem, unless he actively obstructed a Census worker from getting an accurate count.

Let's keep in mind, people, that the Census is a Constitutional requirement, and the first head of the Census was Thomas Jefferson, certainly one of the most freedom-oriented men in our history.

I wonder, too.
I can't honestly imagine any sane person would choose to put themselves in danger just to answer a few questions. Unless you choose a profession that you know requires that - police officer, fire fighter, soldier, etc, it's just a job.

But, I might just be seeing this differently because I live in a state that does have a Make My Day law.

Slightly O/T. Those that have worked census or knows those who have - what about the "bad neighborhoods"? The ones where police are frequently raiding a lot of homes for drugs or such? Where you know there's a good chance you could have a gun pulled on you or a dog loosed? Do you still have to go to them? I can't imagine anyone forcing their way into anything in places like that.
(I had considered doing census work here, but we have too many of these neighborhoods and plenty of metlab houses in them)

All I can say is we lost the census packet while we were moving so it didn't get sent in. We weren't home when the census people showed up, and MIL saw them trying to open the door. She was able to tell them the info they needed and sent them on their way but if she wasn't there who knows?

Did anyone try looking here? http://2010.census.gov/2010census/about/whole.php

The part about entering buildings in just that, meaning they can come in an apartment building and wait for you at your door. (or be allowed into a gated community)

What everyone is paranoid about just plain doesn't make sense. Stop and think. I'm sure some real morons get hired, but the average person isn't going to risk the unknown.

calico2222 - Do you have a screen door? Very few people will knock on a screen door, instead they open it to knock on the heavier interior door.

See, that makes way more sense. Some people just enjoy getting hysterical about things. Of course they'd be allowed into a gated community or locked apartment building, but going into a private home, no way.

I tried looking it up on the census website but I couldn't find the right subject.

I worked for the 2000 Census, in Canada, doing the door-to-door survey. We certainly were NOT allowed to go into the home unless asked. We left the survey in the mailbox or any other appropriate place. One time the person's 'front' door was accessed on a deck, no mailbox...but I noticed that the BBQ had meat on it from earlier or the night before....so I left the survey on the open (cold) BBQ......

As far as bad neighborhoods, we were never to put ourselves in danger. If something looked dangerous, we let our supervisor handle the situation...I'm sure that even in Canada, there are very rough neighborhoods...perhaps law enforcement deliver the Census forms. There are many routes to take to figure out where people are.....you would never think of them.....every person is connected to some part of gov't somehow.....if the person is legal.

^ That makes more sense. Though in some of these areas law enforcement showing up would cause a mad scramble of people trying hide or flush stuff.

I just looked up "census takers enter homes law" (via scroogle) and found it.

I suggest people do look through all of the info on that page. If anyone shows up at your door that can't properly identify themselves, or you're still unsure, call and verify it. If you feel at risk, call the police. (that goes for anyone wanting in that you don't want in your home)
If a neighbor or family member says someone claiming to be with the census was testing your door, call and report it. Just because someone says they're there to take the census doesn't mean they couldn't be an imposter.

Are you in the U.S.? I ask because none of that was on my census.

I don't recall seeing it either. Maybe they messed up and sent me an old Jeffersonian form?

That's what I was thinking. That certainly wasn't asked on mine.

So much like we "know for a fact" that police in Arizona won't perform any racial profiling.

So does that mean that Texas has an issue with freedom? After all, they're booting Thomas Jefferson completely out of history.

They are NOT, and the fact you make that accusation again indicates you are going by what are sometimes referred to as "moveon.org talking points." Get your facts straight, then see if you can ask that question in a more civil way.

Just so you know, here are the questions on the first Census (1790).

* Name of the head of each household.
* How many free white males age 16 and older.
* How many free white males under age 16.
* How many free white females.
* How many of all other free persons.
* How many slaves.

While it is rumored that Jefferson personally opposed slavery, he owned slaves his whole life and did not free them at his death.

Here are the questions in the 1800 Census:

* Name of the head of each household.
* How many free white males under age 10.
* How many free white males over 10 and under 16.
* How many free white males over 16 and under 26.
* How many free white males over 26 and under 45.
* How many free white males over age 45.
* How many free white females under age 10.
* How many free white females over 10 and under 16.
* How many free white females over 16 and under 26.
* How many free white females over 26 and under 45.
* How many free white females over age 45.
* How many other free persons.
* How many slaves.

That Census was undertaken while Jefferson was Vice President, and Washington was President. John Marshall was the Census director, but the Census was actually almost entirely under the control of James Madison...again, a staunch defender of freedom and the rights of the people.

During those two counts, the number of eligible voters was one of the most important questions, hence the nature of the questions. Today racial and ethnic makeup are important considerations in apportioning state and congressional legislation seats. Probably shouldn't be, but they are.

It seemed bizarro to me the census form from this year was so short yet had such a heavy focus on race and how many bodies occupy your dwelling. If the one from 10 years ago was similar, forgive me, my memory must be deteriorating faster than I think it is. Again, it just seemed bizarre to me.

Edit:
Additional comment re: post #23: Now that I see census questions from 1790 and 1800 (thanks Mr Blanche) I guess little has changed.

Oh, but they are. You might want to look into history in a linear form, as in "back then" vs. "now". Jim Bridger, Blanche Kelso Bruce, Peter Ogden...they're all part of history too. They weren't erased, they were simply robbed of their significance, just as Texas is doing to Jefferson. After that, they are merely forgotten. A slow boot, but a boot for certain. Come to think of it, when I was a boy, we spent two weeks of history on Daniel Boone (this bein' KY and all). I'm not even sure if he's mentioned anymore.

FTR, I've only been to "moveon.org" once, didn't like it, too one sided.

If you did just a little research on your own, you'll find that Jefferson's writings (not Jefferson himself) were removed from a list of "influential people" for suggested study in World History class. He is as prominent as ever in American History class.

You might want to take a look here, at the 2000 questionnaire. Even the short form was pretty long, with a lot of questions about every person living in the house. You'll have to download it as a PDF. There was also a long form, with a lot more questions.

2000 Questionnaire

My point is that this year's questionnaire is the shortest since 1790.

Just some more nonsense to try to get people stirred up. Just took 5 minutes of googling to find that it wasn't true.

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/about/whole.php

Oh, but I did. I checked their very own website. By their own admission, Jefferson has been relegated to "referenced". Well, I have my niece's High School history book right here. On page 226, paragraph 4, a fellow by the name of Elbridge Gerry is "referenced". A signer of the Declaration of Independence, a man who risked life, lands and his family to stand with his neighbors against the King. How much was she taught about him...uh, nothing. Because he was merely "referenced". Right where Texas plans to put Jefferson.

So to clarify...why has his writings been removed from a list of "influential people", if not to actively strive to reduce or delete that influence?

I guess you guys must have poor memories, check out questions 8 and 9.
And yes, I am in the United States and yes the race/nationality questions are on the short and long form. The question about what time you leave for work in on the long form.

You guys don't remember answering these questions? Really?

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/ho...ctive-form.php