Census

I'm a little annoyed with the scope of the questions on the Census this year, and not particularly in the mood. I was most annoyed that I got a letter telling me that they're going to send me the Census next week.

Helloooo??? How much money did they just waste sending out a letter telling me that they're going to send a letter? And how much do you want to make a bet the Census contains a letter worded almost identically?

grrr...

But politics is not usually in the domain here. Go to the Soccer Mom blog for that, if you're in the mood.

However, I do know that homeschoolers are probably a bit concerned with the Census. I mean, there are ads telling us that they need to count our children so they know how many schools to build. Honestly, it'd be more interesting if they also included a box asking if they are IN public school. I'd mark that they're in private school. Because they are. I happen to be the head teacher, and to keep my kids in, I sleep with their principal. 'Cuz he's my husband.

Come on, spicy comments like that might drive up my readership. Or scandalize people and drive it down. But I don't know why you'd be scandalized by my sleeping with my husband.

Anyway...

HSLDA, who is never prone to advising homeschoolers to dole out unnecessary information to the government, has an FAQ up about the Census. Here's a snippet:

Do I Have to Fill out the Whole Form?

The most frequent question we receive from member families is, “Am I required by law to answer the census form?”

The U.S. Census is mandatory by federal law. There is clear federal warning in the code about refusing to give the required information to the Census Bureau. U.S. Code, Title 13 states that citizens must comply with the census or face a $100 fine. There is a $500 penalty for giving false information.

Are the Census Questions Constitutional?

Article I, Section 2(3) of the U.S. Constitution is the provision that authorizes a census. “The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such a manner as they shall by law direct.”

The last phrase, “in such a manner as they shall by law direct,” gives Congress broad authority to determine the scope and process for collecting the census. Congress used this authority to define the parameters of the census in Title 13 of the U.S. Code.

More information is found on the site for members. But it seems that these Right Wingers who are FREAKING OUT and refusing to fill out the Census are a bit off-base. The government is supposed to count us. Congress can set the rules as to what they ask us. So answer your Census, people. It's what the Founders asked of us.

Now that doesn't mean you can't be creative. I mean, in the last Census, "American" was a race box you could check. (I think that's what I selected. How else would you categorize someone who is English, German, French, Irish, Puerto-Rican-by-way-of-Castillian-Spanish, and Dutch?)

It's not an option this year, but you can check "Other" and write it in. That's totally okay, you know. And it might send a message to Washington. One that says we are sick and tired of being boxed in racial categories. You want to banish racism? Start being colorblind, and that means stop asking me incessantly if I'm of Hispanic origins.