Mandatory Census from the U.S. Census Bureau

[flordehinojos]

The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel has posted an article this morning,
(the link to which is,
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-scensus13jan14,0,3075969.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

stating that, "If you find a 24-page questionnaire in your mailbox this month, don't throw it away! It could be the new U.S. Census Bureau survey, and tossing it out could result in a $100 fine." (snip)

"Instead of polling once every 10 years, the Census Bureau each month from now on will mail the mandatory survey to 250,000 households in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The new survey will reach 3 million randomly chosen homes each year.The census short form, which goes to every U.S. household, will continue to be sent every decade as required for congressional apportionment. That form, which comes out April 1, 2010, also must be returned."

.

[Walt Starr]

1. I've filled one of these out before

Under race, I always check "other" and write in "human".

ALWAYS.

[flordehinojos]

2. Good Point to Keep in Mid when my turn for the form comes around.

A couple of years ago I refused to fill one out and did not send it in. At the time we were not under threat of a fine if we did not comply.

[gjb]

11. We have had mandatory census filings in Canada for forty years...

....the fine is even higher here. I haven't filled one out since 1970. It just provides data fodder for bureaucrats who have nothing better to do and who will skew the data to take away government entitlements. It's not about information it's about surveillance. (tinfoil-free opinion)

[rockedthevoteinMA]

13. They literally chased my boyfriend down a few years ago...

and filled it out for him. They decided because he was born in Hawaii (though he is actually English) he would be qualified as a Pacific Islander. Go figure.

The woman chased him down - staked out his work, called him repeatedly, and then went to his house at like 8 AM on a Sunday, finally cornering him.

[FlaGranny]

3. Census forms

The census has helped me find my ancestors all the way back to the 1700's. I don't know if everyone is aware of it, but the census returns determine the amount of money your community gets from the federal government for things such as roads, libraries, Medicaid, and all manner of things. If a community has residents who don't fill out the forms, your community's federal funds are cut accordingly. Your taxes then go to benefit the high-reporting areas, which are usually the wealthier communities who don't need the federal funds.

[flordehinojos]

4. another good point. thanks.

[ieoeja]

6. Just as importantly

They use it to determine congressional representation and, therefore, electoral votes for each state. Blue areas tend to be under represented in proportion to red because a higher percent of blues fail to return their census. We might well own the House right now were it not for this fact.

[flordehinojos]

7. do they also use it to jerrymander the districts, you know... change them

to favor republicants?

[FlaGranny]

9. Unfortunately, yes, they do. n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. Hi FlaGranny...

Us too, my Mom runs her county GenWeb site in CO, greatest links to census online!

[Swede Atlanta]

5. Census

Because they use this to determine allocation of resources and ultimately also apportionment in Congress I always complete it but only for the purpose of having one resident counted. For all of the "none of your business" questions I make things up.

[flordehinojos]

8. that's the thing ... the "none of your business questions".

[Walt Starr]

10. Race - Other - HUMAN

That's how that one needs to be answered by EVERYBODY!!!!!