Educated a census taker

[GM54-120]

Well i got the "knock knock" today.

The census worker didnt even know the law or have documents to prove what i had to answer. He claimed it was all confidential. I asked him if the Japanese Americans during WWII who were put in camps thought it was confidential. That info was used in part to round them up.

All i gave him was a head count, ages and we are native born US citizens. He asked if i was Hispanic and i told him no im an American. Its rather obvious im not Hispanic but each time he asked i told him i consider my race as American PERIOD.

He even admitted he didnt know the law.

I told him if he wants more info come back prepared with the federal documents that show i must give other info. Its a head count and thats it until he can prove otherwise and disprove that the info has not ALWAYS been kept confidential.

His GPS had mysterious issues too. LOL

It felt good.

 

[cayuga]

I was visited by the Census taker twice. The first time was to learn about my household, which I saw no problem in the questions. The second was to learn about the neighbor up the road. They'd knocked on his door they said four times and he was never home. I told them he was a weekend local as this was just a get away cabin he had and that he lived else where.

It is a shame you had a bad experience. I actually had a good chat with my Census taker about what they wanted to accomplish with the information, etc. They never asked about my weapon collections, or anything I felt too personal. And yes they take a GPS reading out your house. This is so they can tell the local county government where you live and exactly how many residents live full time in the county. As it was explained to me.

 

[frontier gander]

7 total. Myself, chamber 1, chamber 2, chamber 3, chamber 4 and so on :wink:

 

[GM54-120]

And yes they take a GPS reading out your house. This is so they can tell the local county government where you live and exactly how many residents live full time in the county

That doesnt sound "confidential" to me. What else do they share?

Under federal law its a head count and thats it. The local PD already knows where i live since i work for them occasionally. Any other info they need is on my tax returns for a count needed for representation.

I got the "long form", they got the short in return. I guess you havent seen all the questions on the long form. Its very intrusive.

And it was far from bad, i enjoyed being educated enough to know my rights and watch him try to figure out why his GPS wasnt working. :lol:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/census

Main Entry: cen?sus
Pronunciation: \ˈsen(t)-səs\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from censēre
Date: 1634

1 : a count of the population and a property evaluation in early Rome
2 : a usually complete enumeration of a population; specifically : a periodic governmental enumeration of population
3 : count, tally

? census transitive verb

 

[cayuga]

Well I am glad you knew your rights and did not cooperate. That's your decision. I also know my rights and chose to cooperate. Isn't that also my right? I saw nothing invasive in their questions.

As for the GPS readings, they are plotting structures in relation to population.

What could be done with that evil confidential information your so worried about.... :twisted:

Maybe they can plan emergency government contingency plans in the event of a disaster. Like floods, a tornado, earthquake, hurricane... so they know how many people in the community, and how many they are looking for at your house should the worse happen. Or they have an idea of how much aid that community you live in would need in such an event. Blood, emergency shelter, medicine, food... etc.

Maybe federal funding might be tied into the need of a community, like roads, aid to schools, special projects...

But, you are right. So if you do not want to cooperate with the federal government, then do what you want. All I am saying is, it was no big deal, it did not hurt to talk to them and answer their questions, I never lost a night's sleep worrying if my house had a GPS reading.. etc.

Your worried about a GPS coordinate or a question about your nationality or race. After the Patriot Act was passed by the Bush Administration you might want to worry more about whether they are listening to your phone calls, reading your emails, check on what you read, even reading the forum. Who knows.

 

[GM54-120]

What could be done with that evil confidential information your so worried about.... Twisted Evil

Its already happened

WWII, hundreds if not thousands of Asian Americans were put in camps and died. They knew where to find them through the census.

That should be good enough as a reason.

Ron Paul supporters are routinely harassed. Hmmm they see a RP bumper sticker and pass on that info too.

BTW my dad worked for NSA and i can assure you the info is not confidential.

The list could go on for several pages with ease.

If they need topographical info, its as simple as Google maps. I can tell how many cars are in your drive way. Im sure they have far better equipment and since it is already in place i dont see a NEED to send someone around gathering that info.

How many millions did they spend on it when it isnt needed considering current technology?

They want to walk a beat...walk a beat on the borders instead. I would GLADLY pay the extra in taxes.

I was specifically asked if i was Hispanic. Why would that matter unless it is being used for other agendas than a head count? Possible voter base and manipulation/alteration of campaigning strategies? I didnt realize RACE would determine the amount of aid needed in an emergency or the number of Reps.

Its a head count by definition and law. If you chose to give more of your OWN info good for you.

Give them mine without consent and it might not be as welcomed or appreciated.

Oh the Patriot Act that Obama just extended. Yep im not fond of it either or the socialists he has appointed or tried to appoint.

Point is its a count for representation and our rights are falling away faster than leaves in the fall. This is another attempt at more federal control and invasion of privacy. History is the proof.

I would rather be a citizen than a subject.

Others dont or cant see the difference.

 

[cayuga]

Lots of people see the difference.

As for the Asian Americans in WWII that was wrong. If the census helped in doing that, which it well might of (I don't know for sure), still wrong. But there also other ways they were gathered up beside census facts. There were neighbors telling on neighbors. Scare tactics. Tell on a neighbor. You know, the same thing the Nazi's had going on. The Nazi party even recruited the children to tell on who was a wanted individual. It was a time of war, a time of panic, a time of bad decisions. Maybe this country and others learned from their mistakes. Lets hope so.

Could it possibly be they want to know the racial diversity of the country, and the areas where people live? But you are right, that information could be used to aim political agendas. They might use it to target a racial group for some political reason. Oh wait, they do that now with TV and internet. But at least the government would know where they live.

As for Ron Paul.. they never asked me about him. Maybe they did not care.

As I said, if you did not want to give out your information... fine. I could really give a you know what. I am just saying that I saw nothing wrong with the questions they asked.

 

[paia]

I'm with you Cayuga--I am perfectly willing to answer the census questions. I don't see any need to be paranoid and I do not think everything is some sinister government conspiracy. I have a drivers license, a military record, a voter registration card, and there is an aerial photo of my house on Google Earth and Map Quest! I think the government already knows I am here :shock:

 

[GM54-120]

Long form just so you can understand that it exceeds the requirements needed for representation, which is the only reason the census was adopted.

http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/pdf/d-61b.pdf

I have no problem with the typical short form ive received in the past. The new one obviously will have info to be shared for other reasons than representation.

Send me a form that openly declares how the info will be used and make it voluntary then i may answer a few more when the feds start truly representing their districts.

The healthcare bill as passed had far less than a popular support (roughly 35%) and our reps voted how they wanted to vote. Ive seen at least one on video claiming they (we) dont know what is best for them (us).

Until then they can acquire my info through info i have already voluntarily provided. I should not be bothered to give it again and have to pay for door to door GPS reading takers. I dont need or want a federal babysitter.

Paranoid no, pissed at false representation and abuse of power...yes.

 

[paia]

I'm for the health care bill. So I am mad that my congressman did not represent me. But both my senators did...

 

[GM54-120]

Make an effort to vote them out if you can.

Im voting out all incumbents i can regardless of party

 

[paia]

Don't worry--I vote in every election, even the primaries. I figure if I participate, I get to *****. 8)

 

[GM54-120]

Don't worry--I vote in every election, even the primaries. I figure if I participate, I get to *****. 8)

Even though we disagree on two of the issues, i agree with that.

BTW did you read the long form and understand how many people can see it as non applicable to the needs for a census? How many ride in your vehicle to work ect. What kind of vehicle is your work transportation.

Those kinds of questions are not needed for a legitimate census. They can only have other uses besides representation.