Census~required by law??

[mking624]

Yep. The government already has that information. They also know her social security number, but that doesn't mean that I had to provide it to the school when they asked for it.

The purpose of the census is to count how many people for purposes of congressional representation. Does them knowing that her birthday is June 5th rather than November 2nd change anything at all about how many congressmen we need?

The census also asks if the children are 'natural born' or 'adopted' or something like that. Again? Whats the point of that?

There's a lot more to what the census is used for than just a simple head count...and some of those reasons have already been stated. I think if people realized the importance and actually took the time to accurately learn why these things are asked, it wouldn't as big of a deal. As far as natural born vs. adopted...it's a matter of citizenship. If you did an international adoption and brought the child home, he or she is not automatically a U.S. citizen. There's a process you'd need to go through.

For those saying that if they already have it, then why do they ask again... Well, if you know they already have it, why are you fighting against them asking for it? I mean going by that logic, if they already have my birth record, why bother doing a count at all? Why not just count the number of death records and subtract it from the number of birth records, right? And why be so against filling that part out if anyone could find out that information about you and your family via public records? When something is that readily available for anyone to know, I really don't see why there is such a fuss over it.

 

[npmommie]

There's a lot more to what the census is used for than just a simple head count...and some of those reasons have already been stated. I think if people realized the importance, it wouldn't as big of a deal. As far as natural born vs. adopted...it's a matter of citizenship. If you did an international adoption and brought the child home, he or she is not automatically a U.S. citizen. There's a process you'd need to go through.

For those saying that if they already have it, then why do they ask again... Well, if you know they already have it, why are you fighting against them asking for it? I mean going by that logic, if they already have my birth record, why bother doing a count at all? Why not just count the number of death records and subtract it from the number of birth records, right? And why be so against filling that part out if anyone could find out that information about you and your family via public records? When something is that readily available for anyone to know, I really don't see why there is such a fuss over it.

well thats the beauty of it all, we don't always have to agree, we don't all think the same.
would be a pretty boring world if we did wouldn't it?

 

[mking624]

well thats the beauty of it all, we don't always have to agree, we don't all think the same.
would be a pretty boring world if we did wouldn't it?

True. I guess I'm just one to look for consistency when people say they won't do or believe in something...and for accuracy on the information they provide. I'm this way with everything.

 

[mhsjax]

There's a lot more to what the census is used for than just a simple head count...and some of those reasons have already been stated. I think if people realized the importance and actually took the time to accurately learn why these things are asked, it wouldn't as big of a deal. As far as natural born vs. adopted...it's a matter of citizenship. If you did an international adoption and brought the child home, he or she is not automatically a U.S. citizen. There's a process you'd need to go through.

For those saying that if they already have it, then why do they ask again... Well, if you know they already have it, why are you fighting against them asking for it? I mean going by that logic, if they already have my birth record, why bother doing a count at all? Why not just count the number of death records and subtract it from the number of birth records, right? And why be so against filling that part out if anyone could find out that information about you and your family via public records? When something is that readily available for anyone to know, I really don't see why there is such a fuss over it.

To each his own. I will gladly give info out about me, but my kids, I DON"T THINK SO. I will tell them how many of us live here, but they don't need my kids names and birthdays. SORRY. It didn't happen, they got that part back blank. Just isn't happening. I also don't put my kids on my answering machine, I don't monogram anything either.

 

[Wall-E1]

To each his own. I will gladly give info out about me, but my kids, I DON"T THINK SO. I will tell them how many of us live here, but they don't need my kids names and birthdays. SORRY. It didn't happen, they got that part back blank. Just isn't happening. I also don't put my kids on my answering machine, I don't monogram anything either.

You see, this is the kind of attitude I don't understand. This fear and distrust over a simple form trying to get an accurate count of our citizens. Why the paranoia?

 

[LMC]

I'd fill it out, if they'd send me one.

Yeah, me too. Got the postcard but never got the actual census. I'd much rather fill out the paper than have a stranger come to my house!!!

 

[freckles and boo]

To each his own. I will gladly give info out about me, but my kids, I DON"T THINK SO. I will tell them how many of us live here, but they don't need my kids names and birthdays. SORRY. It didn't happen, they got that part back blank. Just isn't happening. I also don't put my kids on my answering machine, I don't monogram anything either.

OP -

This is why they have to remind people that it is required by law to fill out your form. Some people don't believe that the law applies to them.

 

[npmommie]

OP -

This is why they have to remind people that it is required by law to fill out your form. Some people don't believe that the law applies to them.

the law only requires the count.

oh my mailman just came and brought me another census! LOL, I did send mine back, so I am just putting this one in the recycling bin.

 

[mking624]

the law only requires the count.

oh my mailman just came and brought me another census! LOL, I did send mine back, so I am just putting this one in the recycling bin.

The law isn't only regarding the count. It also includes the refusal or neglect to answer questions as well as false answers. (Title 13, Chapter 7, Subchapter II)

Anyway, I wonder how many people wound up receiving duplicates when they already completed them? Sheesh.

 

[disney1990]

Yep. The government already has that information. They also know her social security number, but that doesn't mean that I had to provide it to the school when they asked for it.

The purpose of the census is to count how many people for purposes of congressional representation. Does them knowing that her birthday is June 5th rather than November 2nd change anything at all about how many congressmen we need?

The census also asks if the children are 'natural born' or 'adopted' or something like that. Again? Whats the point of that?

The census is used for much for than Congressional representation. The Census goal is to count every breathing person in the United States as of April 1st, regardless of whether they are U.S. citizens. If you are from another country and living here going to school as of April 1st, you are counted. And, if you are an American and living out of the country on April 1st, you are not counted. Not sure about the adopted/natural born question unless they are trying to find out if it is more acceptable in 2010 than in the past. Information is released as statistics only. As far as other agencies that might have the information, information is not shared with the Census, nor do they share with any other agency. The detailed information is held for 72 years and again only statistical information is released before then. If a certain percentage of the information is not recorded on the census form, then the form is listed as incomplete; not sure your local jurisdiction would get their funding for those incomplete forms.

Like somebody pointed out, people give this information out to other people so willingly, but yet for something that would actually help your community, people are not willing to do the same.

I agree, we don't know who will be handling these forms, I don't just any no name Joe knowing the names and birthdays of my kids. All you ever hear is don't give out detailed into on your kids, and what does our beloved govt do? They ask for it. But they won't get it from me.

Census workers are sworn in as government workers. They are fingerprinted and have background checks run on them. They are subject to heavy fines and jail terms if they release any of that information. Again, like I said, people release this information to their doctors' offices and many other individuals and those workers don't go through any background checks. I would be much more afraid of the information there getting out from one of those sources than from a census worker.

 

[dzorn]

Well if you will not give accurate information you will not get accurate representation or funding. So no complaint about congress or government spending.

I am wondering if some of the posters should be on the do you believe in conspiracys thread.

Denise in MI

 

[NewDCLGuy]

To each his own. I will gladly give info out about me, but my kids, I DON"T THINK SO. I will tell them how many of us live here, but they don't need my kids names and birthdays. SORRY. It didn't happen, they got that part back blank. Just isn't happening. I also don't put my kids on my answering machine, I don't monogram anything either.

Not arguing here - I'm genuinely curious - how far does this policy extend. Do you tell the schools your kids names? List them on your tax returns? Do you give Disney their names?

 

[disney1990]

Not arguing here - I'm genuinely curious - how far does this policy extend. Do you tell the schools your kids names? List them on your tax returns? Do you give Disney their names?

Heck, you have to even give Disney their date of birth. Now there's a need to know. You give our this information to go on a cruise.

If you really want to be paranoid, try reading the Patriot Act. That should be enough to give you nightmares. Here's just a sample.


The Act was passed by wide margins in both houses of Congress and was supported by members of both the Republican and Democratic parties. Opponents of the law have criticized its authorization of indefinite detentions of immigrants; searches through which law enforcement officers search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s permission or knowledge; the expanded use of National Security Letters, which allows the FBI to search telephone, e-mail, and financial records without a court order; and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records, including library and financial records.

 

[mhsjax]

deleted by poster

 

[mhsjax]

You see, this is the kind of attitude I don't understand. This fear and distrust over a simple form trying to get an accurate count of our citizens. Why the paranoia?

YOu don't have to understand it. They say they want a count of people. It doesn't say they want names. I gave them what they wanted, or hubby gave them what they wanted. I won't get into anything about my reasons, that is personal and I won't have that info out there. So just except it.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm surprised to see so much paranoia but I shouldn't be. I can understand why some people feel that way even if I think it's misplaced.

By the way, I gave my SSN to a doctor just yesterday. This is how my insurance company compensates.

 

[mhsjax]

I'm surprised to see so much paranoia but I shouldn't be. I can understand why some people feel that way even if I think it's misplaced.

By the way, I gave my SSN to a doctor just yesterday. This is how my insurance company compensates.

you know I wasn't paranoid, but when I see people telling me that I am and to just give the info about my kids, I dig my heals in even deeper. Accuse me of things ( and I know you didn't) and I will not change my mind.

I didn't know that insurance companies used ss# any more. I know they did when I worked but that was eons ago. Back before they invented the wheel, according to my kids.

 

[Planogirl]

Actually some still use SSN's.

It gets worse. I work for one of the credit bureaus (please don't hate me, it's not by choice) and plenty of people don't want to give their SSN to get their credit reports. I understand that people worry about ID theft but sometimes you just have to.

By the way, the IRS has everyone's!

 

[mhsjax]

Actually some still use SSN's.

It gets worse. I work for one of the credit bureaus (please don't hate me, it's not by choice) and plenty of people don't want to give their SSN to get their credit reports. I understand that people worry about ID theft but sometimes you just have to.

By the way, the IRS has everyone's!

Oh I know they do, and like I said earlier, I have no problem giving my ss# to a Dr. for billing or ID purposes. I guess I trust them more than the Govt. and I would never hate you for working for a credit bureau al long as you don't hate me for working at a credit card company for a while. lol

 

[Planogirl]

Oh I know they do, and like I said earlier, I have no problem giving my ss# to a Dr. for billing or ID purposes. I guess I trust them more than the Govt. and I would never hate you for working for a credit bureau al long as you don't hate me for working at a credit card company for a while. lol

It's hard to decide which one of those is worse.