[Defiant]

Well, didn't the census records go to Washington in prior censuses (censi?). Someone had to tabulate the results and come up with population figures. The main difference now is computers to sort the data, but the information itself is no more scary to give the government now than it was in 1790. Name, age, occupation, state of birth, birthplace of parents. If they gave it in 1790, and every decade since then (and they did) I don't mind giving it. I do mind giving the amount of my mortgage and my actual birthdate and info like that which the government does not need.

Also, they always have recorded the race of the person. It may have been considered important in an era when there were really only two races (except for a few Indians) and when there were lots of governmental policies that related to race. Now, racial distinctions should be eliminated by the government, not perpetuated. I think that statistic should not be collected.

[Terry Mross]

The number of people in the household was to determine the number of legislators to send to D.C. Blacks didn’t count as whole people so they needed to know the race. Now they want to know the race so they can determine where to send the most tax dollars for the entitlement programs. I say we all should say we’re black. Then the money would be evenly shelled out.