2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

[UMDBulldogHockeyIsKing]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

Good. You live in Oberstar's district. And prove what we all know about UMD alums, and get a $100 fine for the effort.

People from Hicksville, Minnesota ought not be throwing stones.

And no, there will be no fine.

 

[UCBadger]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

They used to send the long form to about 20% of the population and extrapolate from that based on the short form that everyone receives.

Now, they've scrapped the long form entirely, and instead gather all that deeper information through the American Community Survey. The ACS still only goes to a smaller selection of households, but it happens every year and they released the data on a rolling basis.

We were (well, actually, our house was) chosen for that 2 years ago. They call you every month with new questions that one would need to be warned about in order to give a good number. (How many hours did you work last week, how much did you spend eating out last week, how much did you spend on groceries last week?) What a pain. This went on for 18 months! Once you start with the questions, you really aren't allowed to stop. Ended up my wife worked with a 2nd person at the CB, as I got very frustrated with the whole thing and the first person assigned to us.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

My questionnaire wants to know who is living in my house as of April 1st. If I mail it in now, does that mean no one else can move in until then?

 

[St. Clown]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

People from Hicksville, Minnesota ought not be throwing stones.

And no, there will be no fine.

Good thing I'm in Farmington and not Hicksville, then.

How's the masking tape working for you while you "de-shred" the document?

 

[dropthatpuck]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

Scooby's gone deep left. The money they spent sending the "pre" letters could have funded NCLB.

 

[Tundra]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

I'm not sure why they are wasting our money with this when they already have accurate information on the population. via tax records, ss, birthcertificate etc...

If they are going to force you to dilvuge information at gun point, might as well do it cheaper/faster with accuracy by data mining government sources and public sources ... credit bureau, phone records etc.

And yes they are going to hound you, I remember throwing out a "questionaire" from the census and next thing I know they are calling me at home and work constantly... they know my name, phone number, where I work but they want that same information via paper, phone or in person. And most of the questions were stupid. since a sample polling would have been more accurate or they could look up crime statistics in my neighborhood that FBI publishes.

 

[legal_hit]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

I'm not sure why they are wasting our money with this when they already have accurate information on the population. via tax records, ss, birthcertificate etc...

Well, one reason might be... because the US Constitution requires it.

Plus, not everyone is traceable to their correct place of residence.

 

[blockski]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

Got my form in the mail today. Already shredded it.

Why do you hate the Constitution of the United States, sir?

I'm not sure why they are wasting our money with this when they already have accurate information on the population. via tax records, ss, birthcertificate etc...

If they are going to force you to dilvuge information at gun point, might as well do it cheaper/faster with accuracy by data mining government sources and public sources ... credit bureau, phone records etc.

And yes they are going to hound you, I remember throwing out a "questionaire" from the census and next thing I know they are calling me at home and work constantly... they know my name, phone number, where I work but they want that same information via paper, phone or in person. And most of the questions were stupid. since a sample polling would have been more accurate or they could look up crime statistics in my neighborhood that FBI publishes.

1. The Constitution requires a full count of everyone in the US. None of the data sources you list are complete, though the Census Bureau does indeed cooperate with many actors in order to build the most complete address database they can - which is then the basis for the mailed census.

2. I'm not sure you can do it much cheaper given the requirements. Past court challenges for using statistical sampling and other methods have been rejected.

3. The easiest way to get the Census Bureau to leave you alone is to fill out the **** form and mail it back.

4. Polling is accurate because the poll samples can be easily and accurately calibrated to the population at large to make sure that the sample mirrors the overall population. And how do they make sure they have a representative sample? With census data.

 

[Tundra]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

Why do you hate the Constitution of the United States, sir?



1. The Constitution requires a full count of everyone in the US. None of the data sources you list are complete, though the Census Bureau does indeed cooperate with many actors in order to build the most complete address database they can - which is then the basis for the mailed census.

2. I'm not sure you can do it much cheaper given the requirements. Past court challenges for using statistical sampling and other methods have been rejected.

3. The easiest way to get the Census Bureau to leave you alone is to fill out the **** form and mail it back.

4. Polling is accurate because the poll samples can be easily and accurately calibrated to the population at large to make sure that the sample mirrors the overall population. And how do they make sure they have a representative sample? With census data.

They are worst than telemarketers. If I was a red-neck living in Vermont I would take some pot-shots myself. Too bad telemarkters don't go door2door.

Seriously, the constitution should be amended, it's a total waste of money. If my privacy is going to be invaded and government is going to collect data on it's citizens then they should do it easily, accurately, timely, and fiscally responsible way.

Plus didn't they say census data was inaccurate because 1 in 5 didn't respond especially in the south and poor neighborhood.

Yeah I hate the census and every ****** bag that works in this field (except hockey fans on this forum) and I'll fill the form "supposedly" to save uncle sam few bucks and not get hassled. hmm more than 0 ... less then 10. I guess safe number would be 2.5 or maybe not.

 

[SPIN CONTROL]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

If my privacy is going to be invaded and government is going to collect data on it's citizens then they should do it easily, accurately, timely, and fiscally responsible way.

Look out!!!!

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[state of hockey]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

Wow...

 

[gojackets]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

2. I'm not sure you can do it much cheaper given the requirements. Past court challenges for using statistical sampling and other methods have been rejected.

I did find it funny that I got a letter in the mail last week telling me my census form would be coming this week. Couldn't they save that postage??

 

[leswp1]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

They are worst than telemarketers. If I was a red-neck living in Vermont I would take some pot-shots myself. Too bad telemarkters don't go door2door.

Seriously, the constitution should be amended, it's a total waste of money. If my privacy is going to be invaded and government is going to collect data on it's citizens then they should do it easily, accurately, timely, and fiscally responsible way.

Plus didn't they say census data was inaccurate because 1 in 5 didn't respond especially in the south and poor neighborhood.

Yeah I hate the census and every ****** bag that works in this field (except hockey fans on this forum) and I'll fill the form "supposedly" to save uncle sam few bucks and not get hassled. hmm more than 0 ... less then 10. I guess safe number would be 2.5 or maybe not.

It would be more fiscally responsible if people just cooperated the first time thru. Read back in the thread- research shows response rates are better with a reminder letter first. This means less $ outlay to pay for man hours hunting people down who don't cooperate.

This has been happening for hundred + yrs. This is the least info they have asked since probably the 1840-50 censuses. (I do family research and have looked at everything available so far). Why, suddenly, do people have their knickers in a twist? Has anyone done anything nefarious with the data? I have never heard anything but maybe I missed it. I just don't get the paranoid attitude about giving minimal info.

I did find it funny that I got a letter in the mail last week telling me my census form would be coming this week. Couldn't they save that postage??

See bloski's post earlier in the thread.

 

[MattS]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

This has been happening for hundred + yrs. This is the least info they have asked since probably the 1840-50 censuses. (I do family research and have looked at everything available so far). Why, suddenly, do people have their knickers in a twist? Has anyone done anything nefarious with the data? I have never heard anything but maybe I missed it. I just don't get the paranoid attitude about giving minimal info.

I think two things answer this. First, is that with all the commercials and other "advertising" about the census people are more aware of it. So, that increases the anti-government contingent and we all know they are vocal so we get a lot of complaining. Second, for the paranoid attitude it's just a simple distrust of the Government. Doesn't matter if the census was asking one question or 100 questions.

 

[unofan]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

They are worst than telemarketers. If I was a red-neck living in Vermont I would take some pot-shots myself. Too bad telemarkters don't go door2door.

Seriously, the constitution should be amended, it's a total waste of money. If my privacy is going to be invaded and government is going to collect data on it's citizens then they should do it easily, accurately, timely, and fiscally responsible way.

Plus didn't they say census data was inaccurate because 1 in 5 didn't respond especially in the south and poor neighborhood.

Yeah I hate the census and every ****** bag that works in this field (except hockey fans on this forum) and I'll fill the form "supposedly" to save uncle sam few bucks and not get hassled. hmm more than 0 ... less then 10. I guess safe number would be 2.5 or maybe not.

 

[blockski]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

I think two things answer this. First, is that with all the commercials and other "advertising" about the census people are more aware of it. So, that increases the anti-government contingent and we all know they are vocal so we get a lot of complaining. Second, for the paranoid attitude it's just a simple distrust of the Government. Doesn't matter if the census was asking one question or 100 questions.

The advertising, of course, increases awareness and response rates, and ends up saving money. There's a reason why private businesses advertise, and it's not just charity for the ad men. So, I don't want to ever hear the census complainers say that government 'should be run like a business' ever again...

The distrust of government is very real, however - and it's quite sad. Particularly for something as benign as the Census. Good decisions must be based on good information.

 

[ScottM]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

Seriously, the constitution should be amended, it's a total waste of money. If my privacy is going to be invaded and government is going to collect data on it's citizens then they should do it easily, accurately, timely, and fiscally responsible way.

I agree. Much as they did in the time of the Caesars, we should all make a pilgrimage to Washington DC "to be counted". And if they could get me some Caps tickets while I'm there that would be great.

On a related note, I got my census form yesterday and will probably send it back this weekend. Right after I buy some tinfoil for my new hat.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

So what exactly are you saying about yourself since you started the thread, and you are one of the major contributors??

I like to create and partake in threads that draw out USCHO's most mentally challenged posters?

 

[legal_hit]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

I agree. Much as they did in the time of the Caesars, we should all make a pilgrimage to Washington DC "to be counted". And if they could get me some Caps tickets while I'm there that would be great.

On a related note, I got my census form yesterday and will probably send it back this weekend. Right after I buy some tinfoil for my new hat.

Actually, wasn't the pilgrimage to the head of the household's place of birth?

 

[Hammer]

Re: 2010 Census - Fill it out, send it back

I like to create and partake in threads that draw out USCHO's most mentally challenged posters?

You're going to have your hands full over the next month.

Got mine last night. Filled it out and sent it out this morning on the way to the office.