Responding to Census 2010

On Saturday, May 1, 2010 enumerators (census takers) will start visiting households  from whom the Census 2010questionnaire has not yet been received by  the Census Department.

In the creation of the US Constitution, Congress stated that,  beginning in 1790 and every tens years thereafter a Census would be held in the United States.  "Enumerators" would count the people  living in the USA and representation in the House of Representatives  as well as the division of tax monies collected from the states would  be based on each 10-year census.  The 2010 Census is the 23rd Census conducted in the USA.  Each Census will cover items "determined by law."  This year part of the focus of the Census is on Hispanic heritage.

In recent ABC 7 Chicago morning news program, an official from the  Census Bureau reported that each questionnaire returned to the Census  Bureau generates $19,400 in monies for the state--for roads, schools,  health facilities, and more.

It cost $.42 to send a questionnaire to a household.  For an  enumerator to go to the home to conduct or collect the survey, the cost jumps to $57.00 per questionnaire (per visit to the home).

Confidentiality of Census data--United States laws (Title 13) cover information gathered during the Census.  The Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau are not allowed to share personal information with any other governmental or nongovernmental department or agency.   The Census Bureau summarizes the data into statistical reports after stripping off the personal information originally collected as part of the Census process.

When an enumerator comes to someone's door, it is making an extra effort to be sure that that household's information can be shared for the $19,400 that will be going to the state over the next 10 years.  The service is available in 18 languages, though the person coming to the door may be monolingual.

If any questions are asked that a respondent does not want to answer, those can be skipped.  It is important to collect as much of the targeted information as accurately as possible.

See previous posts about Census 2010.

"We, the People" . . . and Health Care Reform

The preamble to the United States Constitution contains these words, "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America."

When Congress, elected by "the People" to represent them and their interests, is faced with legislation that should be "for the good of the People as a whole" (such as health care reform), it is surprising that members vote along party lines.  Regardless of political affiliation, we, "the People" are an amazing cluster of people who all need good health care.

How do members of Congress accurately reflect the needs and interests of "the People?"  How do they make their decisions in ways that are for the highest good of as many "of the People" as possible?

Legacy of Freedom--Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Martin Luther King, Jr.--More

Martin Luther King's birthday is a good time to reflect on the legacy of freedom we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.  Thomas Jefferson, primary crafter of the Declaration of Independence and James Madison, a primary crafter of the Constitution of the United States of America along with Ben Franklin, George Washington, and others created a foundation of freedom celebrated in the United States of America since its founding in 1776.  Martin Luther King, Jr. and many others helped expand this foundation of freedom to include people of more cultures and races living in this country.  Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, began writing about women's rights in 1776 and they, too, have come a long way.

Each of us today benefits from this legacy of freedom.  It is our responsibility to maintain it and to extend it.  Discrimination exists in this country for lots of reasons including economics, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, language, and many other ideas people use to distinguish one person or group from another person or group.

We have challenges to overcome--terrorists focusing on destroying American culture and values, natural disasters (such as the earthquake in Haiti) that requires authentic human response to met the needs of victims regardless of any differences we might be aware of.

President Barack Obama has been in office for almost one year.  In his oath of office, he promised to preserve, protect, and to defend the Constitution of the United States.  He is working hard to live up to his promises and to continue the legacy of freedom for his children and for all of us in the years to come.