Replies

The federal government (for better or worse) doles out money to local governments. Much of this money is population based.

In the 2000 census the census people inadvertently recorded several of the dormitories at the University of Vermont as being in South Burlington instead of Burlington. This was millions of dollars in aid that would be moved from one city to another. Burlington squawked about it right away and it was corrected. I think this is what they are trying to avoid.

Is that “precise and exact” enough for you?

It’s precise and exact, I guess, but there is yet NOT a legitimate “need” for government to have that sort of precise targeting information. Thanks for playing, though. Johnny, tell Straight Vermonter what going away prizes we have.

“Well, DC, we have a nice, laser-targeted ALCM we can deliver RIGHT to ST’s house, since it’s in our database now. Or a visit from one of our pleasant FedGov Goonsquads tomorrow morning at about 0200. Thanks, ST. I guess we’ll give you BOTH going away gifts.”

#1 - the Temp employees working this phase of the Census know even less than you do about what they are doing. They are only told to mark the house.
#2 - they (the temps) do NOT know your name or anything else about you. They will only ask if the house is occupied and if there are any other living quarters on the property.
#3 - they are NOT counting your doors, they will only look to see if there are doors to additional living quarters IF no one is home to ask.
#4 - The Temps are sworn to uphold the Constitution, the same oath military, police, etc.. take. They are sworn to never release personal information of any kind. They are not even allowed to report illegal activities if they see them.
#5 - There were maps made years ago with homes marked on them. Most of the houses are already in the GPS, the workers are just confirming the data.
#6 - Most of you seem to think only ACORN is working the Census. That is patently false. Many out of work normal Americans are working this year. I ask you to treat them with a minimum of courtesy. Would you rather they be taking food stamps and welfare?
#7 - You will either be mailed a "pre-census" this year or a real census next year. If you complete even the minimum amount of information and mail it back, no one will come to your house again after this GPS mapping portion.

I'm not particularly fond of thinking the government has these maps either, but attacking the temp workers who will never see or use any of your information is just silly. The law states that no personal information can be released from census data for 72 years. Check, the newest census data with names you can get for research is 1930. Only the most general information will be released in statistical formats. You can bet those who are ACORN will make sure everyone in inner city neighborhoods get counted to affect redistricting, thus you need to make sure you are counted to offset that. I was only today looking at the 1870 census and found my family. Someday your family may be looking for you too. Sorry this is so long, but there is too much misinformation and hysteria on this thread to not speak up.