Your point about the value of the census to amateur historians is the important thing. To be able to piece together a picture of your ancestors’ lives is a fabulous thing. When many FReepers’ descendants find out, after waiting with much anticipation for 2010 data to be released, that their great-grandparents were members of the human race, at least they will be able to deduce somethings about their political leanings.
You said it! I understand the sentiment, truly I do. But I know how valuable that information to me is and I think about my great great great grandparents giving the census worker information that is so beautiful to me! I found out that I had an interracial marriage (Irishman, black woman) just after the civil war. I wonder how much trouble they had to endure, is that where I get my nose (Ha!), etc...
Certainly since working on my family tree since 2002, I have valued the information given and when I look at the question I think about my great great grandchildren and what they would like to know about me and my life.