Thread: A headsup on the 2010 census that I could have done without.

Originally Posted by Allen

I just got mine today.

The usual: Number of people in the household; ages; dates of birth; race; etc.

Nothing strange or conspiratorial about it.

I received two separate, identical census forms yesterday. I knew what they were because they were addressed to: "current conspiratee" (one against whom a conspiracy is being conspired)

For those who are interested, you can see the form here: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/pd...naire_Info.pdf

I really don't remember much about previous censuses. Heck, the only reason I remember what I had for breakfast is I have about the same breakfast every morning. I know we filled out a form in 2000, but can't remember if we got a mailing beforehand telling us it was coming.

Personally, I think the Census Bureau decided they had to plan for any contingency. Keep in mind that those letters had to be prepared in advance, probably a few months ahead of time, and the planning for how the census would be conducted had to be done much earlier. If I were involved in the planning, I would be thinking about such factors as:

• the possibility that some recipients would toss the form as junk mail

• the mistrust of the whole process among many recent and undocumented immigrants, as well as other people (as we've seen here)

• the possibility that misinformation about the census would be deliberately and systematically directed to some groups in order to make sure that those groups are underrepresented. As far as I know this last hasn't actually happened, but I wouldn't have been terribly surprised to have seen it.

~Rich

Originally Posted by rastewart

• the possibility that misinformation about the census would be deliberately and systematically directed to some groups in order to make sure that those groups are underrepresented. As far as I know this last hasn't actually happened, but I wouldn't have been terribly surprised to have seen it.

whatcha talkin' 'bout willis, haven't you read this thread??? it's a plot to keep SRP members from getting their fair share of the government handouts!

A couple of points.

Unless the US census is vastly different to others I have looked at, I fail to see how it has anything to do with the current administration. Most countries who run a census do so from a central agency - in Australia it is called the Australian Bureau of Statistics - which, while it is certainly a Government agency, is in fact nothing to do with the political party in power at the time. The current Government may request additional or different questions be included, but the Bureau has veto powers and will not include such changes unless the information collected by doing so fits into their remit.

Again, unless things are done differently in the US, census data is aggregated and de-identified before being used by the Government of the day for various purposes, the main of which is to allocate resources. This is law in Australia. Someone, somewhere could most probably lay their hands on your raw data and get your exact personal details, but to release that information to anyone would put them in gaol for a very long time. Besides that, the processes in place to obtain that personal level information are so stringent that it would be near impossible to do so without being caught. The weakest link in this chain is of course the data collectors, but in all honesty one or two stolen census forms are not going to get that kind of person any kind of money from marketers, who already know more about you than a census will ever reveal (store cards, reward cards, credit card purchases...)

Census data is vital information. There is a whole section of the Royal Statistical Society that deals solely with this kind of information and how to get the best out of it. Would you prefer the Government to allocate funding and services by anecdotal information provided to them by the states or local authorities, or would you prefer it to be allocated based upon empirical evidence collected independently and regularly? I realise that certain sections of the US have a different view on certain kinds of Government services and funding than we do in Australia, but in all honesty those of you who deliberately provide misinformation or omit information are really just shooting yourselves in the foot when all is said and done. I agree that some information collected seems to have no rhyme or reason other than historical holdover (religion, for example), but most of it is important.

A misinformed census is a misinformed Government - they will base many of their decisions upon this data for the next 10 years, so that also includes Governments of other political persuasions (potentially). You have to fill it in anyway, so why not do it right and with good grace, and console yourself with the knowledge that you have played your part in creating a well-informed Government who can use quality information to plan for the future of your country in a well-informed way? Hell, they might even make some correct decisions for once.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I agree that some information collected seems to have no rhyme or reason other than historical holdover (religion, for example), but most of it is important.

I received my form just the other day, and I'm curious which of these are important. Please advise, advisor

Thanks!

1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010? We ask this question to help get an accurate count of the number of people in the household on Census Day, April 1, 2010. The answer should be based on the guidelines in the 'Start here' section. We use the information to ensure response accuracy and completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.
2. Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1? Asked since 1880. We ask this question to help identify people who may have been excluded in the count provided in Question 1. We use the information to ensure response accuracy and completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.
3. Is this house, apartment, or mobile home: owned with mortgage, owned without mortgage, rented, occupied without rent? Asked since 1890. Homeownership rates serve as an indicator of the nation's economy. The data are also used to administer housing programs and to inform planning decisions.
4. What is your telephone number? We ask for a phone number in case we need to contact a respondent when a form is returned with incomplete or missing information.
5. Please provide information for each person living here. Start with a person here who owns or rents this house, apartment, or mobile home. If the owner or renter lives somewhere else, start with any adult living here. This will be Person 1. What is Person 1's name? Listing the name of each person in the household helps the respondent to include all members, particularly in large households where a respondent may forget who was counted and who was not. Also, names are needed if additional information about an individual must be obtained to complete the census form. Federal law protects the confidentiality of personal information, including names.
6. What is Person 1's sex? Asked since 1790. Census data about sex are important because many federal programs must differentiate between males and females for funding, implementing and evaluating their programs. For instance, laws promoting equal employment opportunity for women require census data on sex. Also, sociologists, economists, and other researchers who analyze social and economic trends use the data.
7. What is Person 1's age and Date of Birth? Asked since 1800. Federal, state, and local governments need data about age to interpret most social and economic characteristics, such as forecasting the number of people eligible for Social Security or Medicare benefits. The data are widely used in planning and evaluating government programs and policies that provide funds or services for children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age, or the older population.
8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin? Asked since 1970. The data collected in this question are needed by federal agencies to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as under the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State and local governments may use the data to help plan and administer bilingual programs for people of Hispanic origin.
9. What is Person 1's race? Asked since 1790. Race is key to implementing many federal laws and is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State governments use the data to determine congressional, state and local voting districts. Race data are also used to assess fairness of employment practices, to monitor racial disparities in characteristics such as health and education and to plan and obtain funds for public services.
10. Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else? This is another question we ask in order to ensure response accuracy and completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.

This sequence of questions is repeated for every person living at that residence. Imagine if you had 10 kids and two or three wives, that would potentially amount to having to answer hundreds of invasive questions!

Originally Posted by Hydaral

You found out their secret plan, they want to find every location that has a lot of whites/blacks/mexicans/asians/europeans/etc (take your pick) and nuke it. /sarcasm

There are a lot of paranoid people here. Censuses have been going on for over 100 years, they are used for national planning and general statistics. They even introduce random errors.

No paranoia at all, just sheer interest in the need to register race. Gender and age, I can see something there, but I don't see the need for race. It would be interesting to see that explained.


edit: Missed the explanation above. Still, it seems somewhat outdated. Or perhaps I am too much living in an equality dream?

Originally Posted by Hillie

I don't see the need for race. It would be interesting to see that explained.

Race is key to implementing many federal laws and is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State governments use the data to determine congressional, state and local voting districts. Race data are also used to assess fairness of employment practices, to monitor racial disparities in characteristics such as health and education and to plan and obtain funds for public services.

Translation: We gonna get you one way or another!

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Race is key to implementing many federal laws and is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State governments use the data to determine congressional, state and local voting districts. Race data are also used to assess fairness of employment practices, to monitor racial disparities in characteristics such as health and education and to plan and obtain funds for public services.

Translation: We gonna get you one way or another!

This is one of the most important reasons to comply with the census. The more people that do the better off your individual community will fare.