Posted on 05/11/2010 7:33:39 AM PDT by Grunthor
Ok so I filled out my census form with the constitutionally required information (how many people live here) and sent it in. Still, I have had two different census workers show up here telling me that it is my duty to complete the form and that it is their duty to "help me" do that. Both incidents have been polite on either side however I realize that eventually the time will come when they will stop being polite.
Last night the census worker was asking for our names. I was sorely tempted to give them made up names but I understand falsifying that document might be a crime so I just smiled and repeated (to her consternation) that 3 people live here.
After I repeated the same line the third time in reponse to her pleadings, she got the point (must be a liberal) and left with the admonition that they will be back one more time.
I said, "One more time and then no more? Promise?"
Has anyone else had any issues with these people yet?
Two showed up last weekend at my house.
While one was trying to get info from me,the other was peeking into the windows of my house - which ticked off my 3 dogs.
Peeping-census woman then inquired, “Beautiful Shepherds - what do you feed them?”
“Strangers, mostly”
Guess I’ll be getting the first SWAT visit.
Yes, I live in an small upper middle class borough, I really doubt I’ll see a door to door census worker pushing for more info... but I always give number of people in my home, and if I feel like having fun fill in race question by checking other and writing in HUMAN.
That’s all I ever have or ever will give the Census, as should everyone else. Its constitutionally authorized for representative apportionment, any other question beyond how many people live in your home is irrellevant.
I never filled out the race question before this year.
This year I answered “Other: American”.
That and the number of residents (one) is all they get from me.
During the last Census they showed up 3 - 4 times and the on the last time they sent a cute college girl in her early 20’s.
I said I liked the nice touch but the answers remain the same, 4 people, 2 male 2 female, and we’re white.
This year I answered 2 people 1 female 1 male, and we’re American (kids left).
When they come this year I’ll make sure I’m sitting in my garage cleaning my bike or AR-15, drinking a beer and watching Fox news.. hopefully Glenn Beck will be on.
“When they come this year Ill make sure Im sitting in my garage cleaning my bike or AR-15, drinking a beer and watching Fox news.. hopefully Glenn Beck will be on.”
You trying to make some young socialist piss herself?
;o)
I signed up to do the census specifically to see how it was run from the inside. My concerns revolved around ACORN involvement and use of statistics to infer population patterns.
My 19yo son is also an enumerator thereby earning a better-than-average wage while he’s on break from college.
We had 4 full days of training on confidentiality, safety, specifics at to what qualifies as a housing unit etc.
We were and will be assigned to our local areas - this is SOP so just remember, the person you dis at the door is a neighbor.
We all know the constitutions requires a head count every 10 years. That’s what this is about. There are no extended questionairres related to the 10yr census. There are other studies out there that can be intrusive but you are under no obligation to participate.
We are not there to force responses - if you don’t want to answer any or all questions, we mark you as an REF and move on. If someone at the census wants to bug you from then on, it’s not our doing. We don’t invent the questions or the wording but we are obligated to read them to you as written. And yes, it seems silly to ask a person if they are male when you’re looking at them BUT them’s the rules we were given. And we try to laugh it off best as possible.
There are many houses out there that could have people in them that are not being counted - that’s what we’re paid to find out. Likewise, people either didn’t turn in forms they received or moved and missed their form or ????? - we are here to fill in the holes. We see plenty of screwups by the census bureau with respect to multiple mailings, bad maps, messed up census books but we try to work around these occasions to get the best count possible. I would much rather do that than trust some statistician in Obama’s crowd to “infer” the result of their choice.
So far I think the census folks have done a pretty good job in my area. They try to answer our questions and they try to schedule us efficiently and keep costs down. The classes I trained with were well represented by black/white/young/old/asian/male/female etc. I’ve seen no signs of bias, favoritism or fraud.
All of us MUST wear badges. On the back of the badge is the phone # for the local census board. Call them if you have a problem with the enumerator. There are undoubtedly some bad apples and I’d rather see them fired than tolerated. But give the rest of us a break OK?
It isn’t all that much fun to walk house-to-house in the sun dodging dogs. But most of us thought it important to “get it right”.
Is there any part of my post that says to you that I have treated these people any other way than politely?
THAT was hilarious!
I filled out all the information gladly. I figured that after November the newly-elected conservatives are going to need it for re-gerrymandering the districts.
Several weeks ago I got the short Census form by mail, filled in the number of residents (one) and my race (”Other: American”) and sent it in. At that point I’m done with the Census.
I live in an urban apartment building. You have to be buzzed in. A week or two ago I had a notice slipped under my door. Then a few days later, there was a knock at my door (from inside the hallway, not a buzz from downstairs). Thinking it was a neighbor needing something I opened the door to see the Census drone who immediately started asking questions. I said “I can’t help you” and shut my door.
Last Saturday I came home and the drone was in the building just sort of hovering in the hallway. Not cool. I went to my mailbox and then walked around the stairway where the drone was sitting, apparently waiting for me to go to my unit.
I asked “Do you live here?”
No.
“How did you get in the building?”
Number seven buzzed me in.
“This is private property. Please leave.”
But I need to do my job. I’m from the government. Etc.
I walked to the front door, opened it, pointed out, and said “You need to leave.”
She left saying she’d just buzz me. She didn’t. I think we’re finally done with the Census for this year.
Me too!!! I did the same thing, they only got enumeration. That’s it. Hope no one every shows up, but, if they do, they will get the same, number only.
I had no problem with your post.
I do have a problem with ranters bitching about aspects of the census that us enumerators have no control over. And as private a person as I am, I wouldn’t consider cleaning my AR during a census interview. I’ve no doubt that some locations recruited poorly but generally the enumerators had to demonstrate some ability to read maps, follow instructions and pass an FBI screen - criteria many of our respondents no doubt could not pass.
We’re the ones that got involved to make sure it was done properly. I just don’t care to see Freepers shooting the messengers.
Strangers, mostly
You owe me a new keyboard!
They do this as part of the CRA directive (you know, the act that brought down the housing market?) so that they make sure no bank is 'discriminating" God forbid, we dont lend to a minority who has no means of repaying.
Lots of ‘No Trespassing’ signs, if they get pushy the Sheriff gets invited over on the spot... no warrant, no access!
Is Carly’s look at attempt to secure the lesbian vote in California?
Mom sent ours in late, with only the number of people living there filled in. No visits yet.
If any do stop by, I’m tempted to tell them my race is “elven”. According to the census bureau’s own definition, it’s a valid answer.
LOL!!!
FUNNY! Love CW....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.