2010 census

[windshieldbug]

I expect to tell my Walnut organizer how many squirrels live here.

[SRanney]

How do you plan to respond to the 2010 census?

Because a census worker dropped off the form yesterday and likely GPS'd the front door of our (rural, out of the way) house, I don't see any reason to not send in the census form with most of the questions answered. No phone number will be provided and definitely no names. I don't see any questions on the form requesting my SSN so you can surely believe that mine won't be provided.

I'll provide age, sex, race, and likely marital status. These data are useful to the Department of Labor. Interestingly, these are similar to the data I collect on fish I've sampled from the field (but substitute species for race and exclude marital status).

Steven "believes that data is valuable" Ranney

[SRanney]

I'll provide age, sex, race, and likely marital status. These data are useful to the Department of Labor.

one of the very reasons that the bloke family will not be responding to any such questions

The government already has enough data that, if they so desired, they could easy connect tax returns, SSN, and a whole host of other data to census form address.

If you REALLY wanted to keep them from knowing anything about you other than total number of people, you'd trash the census form and send in your own personally-unidentifiable letter with the number of people living in your household. No barcodes means there is no way to identify what address the data came from. That way, there would be no way they could connect the address to Mr. and Mrs. Bloke.

Steven "data is still data, even if it isn't on the official data sheet" Ranney

[SRanney]

I['m] sure they know how often and how voluminously each of my cats fart...

That would be impressive. Big Brother would truly be watching...

[Uncle Buck]

This will be an unpopular reply, (and not an option in the poll) but I'll answer fully and honestly and send it back. Representative democracy functions better with an accurate census. Won't make any further political comment.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

This will be an unpopular reply, (and not an option in the poll) but I'll answer fully and honestly and send it back. Representative democracy functions better with an accurate census. Won't make any further political comment.

Agree completely. I don't see anything on the form that would compromise my comfort or raise my suspicions. This is all stuff they already know anyway if they want to connect the dots.

[Mark]

This will be an unpopular reply, (and not an option in the poll) but I'll answer fully and honestly and send it back. Representative democracy functions better with an accurate census. Won't make any further political comment.

I COMPLETELY AGREE with your implications/statement that we live in a "representative democracy", and that more central information increases the ability of this sort of regime to "function".

I long for the restoration, however, of a "representative republic".

Amen. (And the government doesn't need to know how many flush toilets I have.)

[tbn.al]

I'm very happy to have a SS# because in two short years I'll start collecting checks. This is a position I never dreamed I'd be in 30 years ago. It's time for some of the money that has been flowing from my pocket to Washington since 1969 to return to pappa. I don't know how long it will last but I never dreamed I'd get even this close to seeing some green. Small price to pay for having a number on my forheard and answering a few dumb questions. Everybody's got a price. It doesn't say anything on the form about truthfullness, does it?

[tubaguy9]

I work for the census ...it's a fun job to have during the short time you have it...usually, it shouldn't take any longer than a few minutes really...and if you avoid it, we just send another person...I once ended up going to a place that no one answered, and it just got assigned to someone else to figure the place out. The hours are the most flexible that I've ever had with a job (you decide when you want to work, and if you don't want to, you don't have to for that day, really.) If you chose to live out of the dumpster when the census was being taken, then it'd make the next census that much more fun for the enumerator. And man, the places you end up going...but if it seems like they don't want you there, somehow the numbers will end up being taken.
The census currently only goes to count people right now. The government is the only ones that get the info currently, and it remains confidential until 72 years from now.
But, don't answer census questions to someone that doesn't have a census badge, and a confidentiality statement. If one of those is missing, don't answer the questions...
So, to good ol' bloke, they already know where your house is. I'm sure one of the workers have already driven by it, whether you realize it or not.

[TubaRay]

I'm very happy to have a SS# because in two short years I'll start collecting checks.

And that is exactly what the number is supposed to be about. The census is an entirely different usage.

[bearphonium]

I plan to respond with current, accurate information. I have been responding to "suspicious conditions" calls for about a year now involving census people. The people in my little town are VERY wary. There are things about my household which I wish to communicate.

[lgb&dtuba]

Rip it up, throw it in the trash, set the trash can on fire....

.....on the inside.

[DonShirer]

Got the letter today that says we will be getting Census forms next week. I'll try to keep my enthusiasm under control. It ended with a website reference in a bunch of different languages. I can read three, recognized others, but the two above the bottom one mystify me. Filipino? Katakana?

[Jeffrey Hicks]

I wasnt counted in the 2000 Census and don't have any plans to cooperate with this one...

[bort]

Got the letter today that says we will be getting Census forms next week. I'll try to keep my enthusiasm under control. It ended with a website reference in a bunch of different languages. I can read three, recognized others, but the two above the bottom one mystify me. Filipino? Katakana?

I got that letter today too, and laughed. It's like and Andy Rooney bit: "Why do they send you mail, to tell you that you're getting more mail?"

Also...
Filipino = an official language of the Philipines
Katakana = a specific type of Japanese

[windshieldbug]

I wasnt counted in the 2000 Census and don't have any plans to cooperate with this one...

Warning: You may then be counted as a viola operator!!!

[tbn.al]

I recently asked a bass player for a competent viola player recomendation. The response was, "If you can find that oxymoron, hire 'em". The reputation permeates even the string section.

[windshieldbug]

I don't tell viola jokes, because I just don't know that many tuba players (probably including some who record solos and sell c.d.'s) who could show up, week-in and week-out) and play on their tubas what viola players are expected to play.

Some blokes gotta take the fun outta everything!

[SRanney]

Bloke, this was posted on a prepper site I read. I thought of you immediately.

To be read to any census worker on your property, provided you have submitted your census form with the minimum amount of information:

DECLARATION

I hereby affirm that the provisions of Title 13 requiring me to disclose my race, personal financial data, birth date, or any other personal, private
information to the Bureau of the Census, an agency of the United States government, constitutes an unreasonable and unwarranted search of my person,
house, papers, and/or effects; and a governmental invasion of the sanctity of my home and the privacies of life. As such, these provisions violate the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, and are thus wholly void and I am not bound to obey them.

I have completed only those sections of the Census form, or will answer questions, pertaining to that which is constitutionally mandated and actually
enumerated in the US Constitution, as follows:

1. The actual number of people living at the address printed on the form, excluding untaxed Native Americans;

2. Age of each person in accordance with US Const. Amendment XIV, Section 2;

3. Sex of each person, in accordance with US Const. Amendment XIV, Section 2.

I have thus fulfilled my obligation to the attainment of the actual enumeration of the populace of the United States.

Any fine or other sanction that is levied by any office or organization stemming from the unconstitutional provisions of Title 13 in connection with my response to this or any other Census-related questioning will be challenged in a court of law.

Further: on March 28, 2000, US District Judge Melinda Harmon granted a temporary restraining order against prosecution of any American who chooses not to answer questions other than the number of people living at their address.

The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute, though having the form and name of law, is in reality no law, but is wholly void. Unconstitutional law bears no power to enforce, it purports to settle as if it never existed, for unconstitutionality dates from the enactment of such a law,
and not such time as branded in an open court of law. It confers no rights; it imposes no duties; affords no protection; it creates no office; it is in legal
contemplation, as inoperative as though it had never been passed. No courts are bound to uphold it and no persons are bound to obey it. (Source: 16 Am Jur 256.)

You are trespassing upon my property and must leave immediately or face arrest. You have no inherent right to be on my property, even though you are from the government. In Boyd v. United States (116 U.S. 616, 630), the Fourth and Fifth Amendments were described as protection against all governmental invasions “of the sanctity of a man's home and the privacies of life.” Your continued and persistent violations of my right to privacy are a violation of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments and I will bring suit against you personally for violating my civil and constitutional rights.

[Donn]

Dear Resident:

About one week from now, you will receive 2010 Census form in the mail. When you receive your form, please fill it out and mail it promptly.

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.

So, guys - don't let bloke con you into not being counted. He's just trying to get more government largesse for his neighborhood, by duping others into under-reporting theirs.

As for violas - I actually have thought fairly highly of the few players I've known. If I had to pick stereotypes for different instruments, I'd say the viola might be the instrument that women pick up if their arms aren't long enough for the trombone.