Talk about stacking the political deck

[manning]

Census taking has always been done by the Commerce Dept. Now it is being transferred to the White House.

I guess Pres. Obama doesn't trust the new guy at commerce.

 

[breezy1077]

Maybe Obama wants the math done his way?

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Watch what they do with the redistricting now.

 

[breezy1077]

Watch what they do with the redistricting now.

MTE! But is it shocking really? Why rely on ACORN when you can take matters into your own hands.

 

[breezy1077]

I think someone should keep a close eye on this one.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Census taking has always been done by the Commerce Dept. Now it is being transferred to the White House.

I guess Pres. Obama doesn't trust the new guy at commerce.

Always is a long time . . . where was it done before the Commerce Dept was established?

 

[breezy1077]

Always is a long time . . . where was it done before the Commerce Dept was established?

Why is it being changed now?

 

[Goofycampers]

MTE! But is it shocking really? Why rely on ACORN when you can take matters into your own hands.

Exactly

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Why is it being changed now?

It's quite clever actually. Obama nominated Gregg and it got some feathers ruffled, which I'm sure came as a complete shock to Obama (wink, wink, nudge, nudge), because Gregg had tried to cut Census funding in the past. So magically Obama decided the solution was to move the jurisdiction of the Census Bureau from the Commerce Dept, and transfer it over to the White House into the hands of Rahm Emanuel, which is the equivalent of putting PETA in charge of issuing hunting permits. Yep, buckle up for redistricting Chicago style.

 

[Chuck S]

Exactly

Why was it done by the commerce department in the first place? If the constitutional purpose of the census is congressional districts, what does that have to do with commerce? Of course, either way, don't the department heads answer to the white house? I just don't see any big significance to this change.

 

[JessR]

Maybe Obama wants the math done his way?

 

[ConcKahuna]

Why was it done by the commerce department in the first place? If the constitutional purpose of the census is congressional districts, what does that have to do with commerce? Of course, either way, don't the department heads answer to the white house?

Well, the census was under the control of the Judiciary branch from 1790 (the frist year) until Ulysses S. Grant had it moved to the Executive branch to prevent the Democrats from taking control of government (ironic, isnt it?), in 1870.

The US Department of Commerce and Labor was created in 1903, and renamed the Department of Commerce in 1913.

The Census is used to help create federal budets, and falls under the Economics and Statistics Administration. My question is; will the entire ESA be moved under direct White House control, or just the Bureau of the Census?

 

[chicagoshannon]

THe census is used to distribute government funds. It's supposed to be done by a nuetral party. Putting it in Obama's (or any other President) hands can lead to only giving money to districts that support him ect. ect. Not a good idea.

 

[Chuck S]

THe census is used to distribute government funds. It's supposed to be done by a nuetral party. Putting it in Obama's (or any other President) hands can lead to only giving money to districts that support him ect. ect. Not a good idea.

I realize the census is NOW used to distribute funds, but that is not, under the constitution, the primary reason for the census. I think the original Judiciary brach is probably the best place for it. Darn, that Republican that transferred it to White House jurisduriction for political reasons.

 

[breezy1077]

It's quite clever actually. Obama nominated Gregg and it got some feathers ruffled, which I'm sure came as a complete shock to Obama (wink, wink, nudge, nudge), because Gregg had tried to cut Census funding in the past. So magically Obama decided the solution was to move the jurisdiction of the Census Bureau from the Commerce Dept, and transfer it over to the White House into the hands of Rahm Emanuel, which is the equivalent of putting PETA in charge of issuing hunting permits. Yep, buckle up for redistricting Chicago style.

Sickening and corrupt. Again, someone needs to keep close tabs on this one.

 

[CPT Tripss]

The census does not tell states how to draw their districts . . . only how many districts to draw.

If you are concerned about "honest" redistricting, then you need to be concerned that there is not a repeat of the most recent Texas redistricting.

 

[Chuck S]

The census does not tell states how to draw their districts . . . only how many districts to draw.

If you are concerned about "honest" redistricting, then you need to be concerned that there is not a repeat of the most recent Texas redistricting.

It was/is an absolute mess here. Along with our stupid primary voting, where we vote, and then caucus, and then go to county conventions.

 

[manning]

Always is a long time . . . where was it done before the Commerce Dept was established?

The Bureau of Census was a temporary agency operating under at various times under Secretary of State, the judiciary branch, and Department of Interior until 1902 when it became a permanent agency under the Department of Commerce until present.

Some have asked what is the problem of it coming under the White House.

Well, the number of electoral college votes each state gets are determined by population. Control how they are distributed goes a long way in controlling elections.

 

[Chuck S]

The Bureau of Census was a temporary agency operating under at various times under Secretary of State, the judiciary branch, and Department of Interior until 1902 when it became a permanent agency under the Department of Commerce until present.

Some have asked what is the problem of it coming under the White House.

Well, the number of electoral college votes each state gets are determined by population. Control how they are distributed goes a long way in controlling elections.

But doesn't the Commerce Department ALSO answer to the White House, so really this isn't much of a change?

 

["Got Disney"]

Maybe Obama wants the math done his way?

no doubt....after all he won