Does anyone remember the last census and how bent out of shape we all were because it was so invasive? I wonder what the next one will be like. Do you know who was the only ‘government’ rep to bother to stand up and say something about it?
Duncan Hunter.
HUNTER INTRODUCES CENSUS REFORM BILL
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA-52) introduced legislation in the House of Representatives today that will reform the census-taking procedure to become less invasive. Currently, the U.S. Census Bureau utilizes two types of questionnaires as a means of collecting information for their decennial count, a “short form” consisting of seven questions, and a “long form” consisting of 52 questions. Many have complained about the intrusiveness of the questions contained in the long form which is sent to approximately one in every six households.
“I have been contacted by many people who feel their privacy is being violated with the questions contained in the long form version,” said Hunter. “I have not heard one good explanation as to why the federal government needs to know how many bathrooms you have in your home, or what time you leave for work.”
Congressman Hunter’s legislation, the Common Sense Census Act of 2000, will require people to answer only the seven standardized questions contained in both the short and long form. Providing any additional information would become optional. The legislation also removes the $100 per question penalty for refusing to answer any non-standardized questions.
“This legislation will bring common sense back to the census process by returning it to its original purpose, to count,” stated Hunter. “If people would like to provide additional information, they can do so, but they shouldn’t be forced to pay a penalty if they don’t feel comfortable answering some of the questions.”
http://www.house.gov/hunter/news_prior_2006/censusreform.htm
Hunter....right again.
The penalty is never enforced, actually.
The total number of questions has actually been reduced for several decades.
The latter goes into traffic analysis and road-building plans.
If you want your local road planning based on pure guesswork, be my guest.
Now that, I didn’t know.
Thank you.