have you got your Census form yet? know your rights!

sym16 · 03-11-2010, 12:49 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsDhkPym01k

MCS · 03-11-2010, 10:22 AM

Why such opposition to the Census?!?

I just got the pre-mailer informing me that the form is coming next week...

I'll fill it out and send it back in. No reason to get all worked up about the Census...

If you don't sent it back in, you're likely to get a phonecall or a person knocking on the door - more of an annoyance than anything else, but they're just doing their job

NYCGarbagePrince · 03-11-2010, 12:29 PM

what a crazy zealot....

Fill out the info and send it in. This happens every 10 years, get over it. This is not big brother this is so that they can prepare for you and your children's future. Not filling it out is doing a disservice to yourself and the people of your town, county, state, and country. The only reason you wouldn't want to give the information they are requesting is if you feel as if this threatens your ability to hide something.

PINeely · 03-11-2010, 03:18 PM

I hate this anti-census bullshit.

It's not hurting anyone, or encroaching on your rights at all. The ONLY reason you wouldn't participate is simply for the sake of doing it, so that you can fight "the man" or whatever.

It's ridiculous that people won't even let the government count them. Honestly, they could get any info that they wanted on you anyway. The Census is just formal. ZOMG The government is going to count us!

lkw15 · 03-11-2010, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCS

Why such opposition to the Census?!?

I just got the pre-mailer informing me that the form is coming next week...

I'll fill it out and send it back in. No reason to get all worked up about the Census...

If you don't sent it back in, you're likely to get a phonecall or a person knocking on the door - more of an annoyance than anything else, but they're just doing their job

Yeah, I agree - just fill it out and send it back. No biggie.

Couch · 03-12-2010, 12:15 PM

Not sure about elsewhere, but the news around Houston and the "Cencus" is blacks are mad because for race it says "Negro".

The older blacks apparently don't care, the younger ones are all bent out of shape.

EDK99 · 03-12-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Couch

Not sure about elsewhere, but the news around Houston and the "Cencus" is blacks are mad because for race it says "Negro".

The older blacks apparently don't care, the younger ones are all bent out of shape.

I'm just checking OTHER and putting AMERICAN.

Hawkeye · 03-12-2010, 12:59 PM

Wow, didn't realize the census was a big deal... Seems kind of like a stupid thing to get worked up over to me.

Now Net Neutrality and Obamacare on the other hand...

H2 · 03-12-2010, 08:55 PM

I worked for the Census before during grad school. I don't see what the big deal is. Besides, if you don't (or will not) fill out the form, the census taker is authorized to go to your neighbor and get the info from them to fill out your form. Another tidbit, not all questions are required to be answered in order for the form to be considered "complete;" only certain questions are required to be answered. At least they only have 10 questions this time. There used to be two versions, a 7 question "short" version and a 32 question "long" version.

sym16 · 03-13-2010, 03:55 AM

they sent me a letter saying I was going to recieve a letter in a week. how much does that cost?

The Government Accountability Office estimated in 2004 that the cost of the 2010 Census would be over $11 billion.[5] In a detailed report to Congress, it called on the Census Bureau to address cost and design issues.[6]

The term "Negro", will be used in the questionnaire, alongside "African American" and "Black" to describe one's race, because some older African Americans still identify with the term, while others find it "outdated" and "offensive". Census Bureau spokesman Jack Martin stated that, "Many older African-Americans identified themselves that way, and many still do. Those who identify themselves as Negroes need to be included".[20][21] The word was also used in the 2000 Census, with over 56,000 people identifying themselves as "negro."[22]

The Census Bureau website states it will no longer use a long form for the 2010 Census
that a releive - they used to ask, how much do you make? when do you leave for work? are you disabled? how many toilets do you have? what is the GPS coordinates of your front door.

SORRY. my medical and financial info is private.

MCS · 03-17-2010, 08:17 AM

I agree partially with you in regards to privacy.

I just received my form yesterday, filled it in (took about 3 minutes) and its in the outgoing mail today. There's absolutely no questions in regards to financial or medical information. Only number of people in the household, whether you own(with or without mortgage), rent, or live for free in the house as well as ethnic background.

Filling in a paper mailed form seems a bit archaic in today's world. They could save a lot of money by allowing ppl to completed the form over the internet, perhaps mailing a postcard to you with a pin number and a Secure site to log in.

Where I think the cost of the census gets ridiculous is for the lousy 20-30% of the population who dont' return the forms, in that case, a you'll get a phone call and/or a knock at the door.

Any commercial demographic marketing company will have a better idea of who you are and your financial situation in their database than the Census. Google the site - "you are where you live" and plug in your zip code...

742 · 03-17-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCS

Any commercial demographic marketing company will have a better idea of who you are and your financial situation in their database than the Census. Google the site - "you are where you live" and plug in your zip code...

They pretty much failed at describing my zip code. For some reason this makes me feel better.

fdsasdasdf · 03-17-2010, 07:32 PM

The census questions are designed to help make decisions in the future about things. It's really really really no big deal. It's quite simply statistical analysis of various things and looking at trends. In the end, it's a good thing. People need to stop freaking out about their privacy. It's a form. It doesn't hurt you. Get over it. The government knows LOADS of information about you anyway from tax records, etc.; this is just a much easier way for them to see all of those things in one form rather than having to delve into all of the pertinent information that they'd like to know. Mathematicians/statisticians need to analyze this data so that the proper people in the government can better understand the population. What's the WORST that they can do with your info, anyway? So fill it out honestly and send it in. The data will help improve future political decisions.

I actually applied to do mathematical/statistical analysis for the Census Bureau. Didn't hear back from them, but the job description was pretty cool. You get to analyze all sortsa trends and compound lots of data.

UncleWede · 03-18-2010, 12:19 PM

The thing that took the longest was to decide what RACE to put down for my Hispanic wife/kids. I picked Hispanic on Q5, but didn't know what to put for their race in Q6. I think we ended up with white, because they aren't black, Korean, Indian, Chinese. . . There are gonna b a LOT more white people in the census this decade

MadDog · 03-18-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

The thing that took the longest was to decide what RACE to put down for my Hispanic wife/kids. I picked Hispanic on Q5, but didn't know what to put for their race in Q6. I think we ended up with white, because they aren't black, Korean, Indian, Chinese. . . There are gonna b a LOT more white people in the census this decade

Why choose white ?? Doesn't the census have a "Some other race" block and a space for you to write something ?? Also, you can check more than one block.

UncleWede · 03-18-2010, 06:49 PM

"Hispanic (Mexican, Spanish, something else) is NOT a Race for this questionaire" was the rough approximation of what it stated. I asked my wife what she wanted me to write in, and we couldn't come up with anything else. We checked Yes to Hispanic on Q5.

BMW F22 · 03-18-2010, 07:17 PM

Did anyone fill out their birth dates?

UncleWede · 03-19-2010, 10:16 AM

Filled it all out, even my phone number (in case they can't figure out why my wife is hispanic/white)

BMW F22 · 03-19-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Filled it all out, even my phone number (in case they can't figure out why my wife is hispanic/white)

¿Qué?

Yearofthe1 · 03-22-2010, 05:28 PM

This reminds me of something a relative of mine once said to me about getting his tax return - "I'm not going to get a direct-deposit from the IRS, I'm having them mail me a check. The only reason they do that direct-deposit stuff is so they can get your bank account number. Then you're really screwed."

Punch Line - this man is a salaried federal employee. And yes, his paychecks are direct-deposit.

solefald · 03-22-2010, 07:25 PM

someone forgot his tinfoil hat at home...

number335 · 03-22-2010, 07:58 PM

i filled mine out a few days ago. pretty painless process. it seemed pretty generic as it didn't ask for anything identifying me except my name and phone number. if i didn't complete the census, how would the census bureau know that i didn't? what if my name was joe smith or if i used a fake name?

03-11-2010, 12:49 AM	#1
sym16 New Member 3 Rep 26 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	have you got your Census form yet? know your rights! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsDhkPym01k
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03-11-2010, 10:22 AM	#2
MCS e90 newbie 19 Rep 447 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 E93 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Why such opposition to the Census?!? I just got the pre-mailer informing me that the form is coming next week... I'll fill it out and send it back in. No reason to get all worked up about the Census... If you don't sent it back in, you're likely to get a phonecall or a person knocking on the door - more of an annoyance than anything else, but they're just doing their job __________________ E93 IL Blue M3 ZPP, ZCW
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03-11-2010, 12:29 PM	#3
NYCGarbagePrince Major 76 Rep 1,437 Posts Drives: X6 50i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	what a crazy zealot.... Fill out the info and send it in. This happens every 10 years, get over it. This is not big brother this is so that they can prepare for you and your children's future. Not filling it out is doing a disservice to yourself and the people of your town, county, state, and country. The only reason you wouldn't want to give the information they are requesting is if you feel as if this threatens your ability to hide something.
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03-11-2010, 03:18 PM	#4
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 174 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 N54 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	I hate this anti-census bullshit. It's not hurting anyone, or encroaching on your rights at all. The ONLY reason you wouldn't participate is simply for the sake of doing it, so that you can fight "the man" or whatever. It's ridiculous that people won't even let the government count them. Honestly, they could get any info that they wanted on you anyway. The Census is just formal. ZOMG The government is going to count us! __________________ Last edited by PINeely; 03-11-2010 at 03:33 PM.
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03-12-2010, 12:15 PM	#6
Couch Colonel 57 Rep 2,903 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	Not sure about elsewhere, but the news around Houston and the "Cencus" is blacks are mad because for race it says "Negro". The older blacks apparently don't care, the younger ones are all bent out of shape.
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03-12-2010, 12:59 PM	#8
Hawkeye Brigadier General 57 Rep 3,620 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 si Coupe, '08 R6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Nissan Titan XE [0.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [0.00]	Wow, didn't realize the census was a big deal... Seems kind of like a stupid thing to get worked up over to me. Now Net Neutrality and Obamacare on the other hand... __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP • Heated M Seats • Clutch Stop • Stubby 2008 R6 • Raven Black • GPR Steering Stabilizer • Comp Werks FE • Hotbodies Flush Mount Blinkers 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 4x4 • Mods coming...
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03-12-2010, 08:55 PM	#9
H2 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 259 Posts Drives: LSB E92 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I worked for the Census before during grad school. I don't see what the big deal is. Besides, if you don't (or will not) fill out the form, the census taker is authorized to go to your neighbor and get the info from them to fill out your form. Another tidbit, not all questions are required to be answered in order for the form to be considered "complete;" only certain questions are required to be answered. At least they only have 10 questions this time. There used to be two versions, a 7 question "short" version and a 32 question "long" version. __________________ Laguna Seca Blue E92 M3 / Individual M3 picture threads - interior, exterior
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03-13-2010, 03:55 AM	#10
sym16 New Member 3 Rep 26 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	they sent me a letter saying I was going to recieve a letter in a week. how much does that cost? The Government Accountability Office estimated in 2004 that the cost of the 2010 Census would be over $11 billion.[5] In a detailed report to Congress, it called on the Census Bureau to address cost and design issues.[6] The term "Negro", will be used in the questionnaire, alongside "African American" and "Black" to describe one's race, because some older African Americans still identify with the term, while others find it "outdated" and "offensive". Census Bureau spokesman Jack Martin stated that, "Many older African-Americans identified themselves that way, and many still do. Those who identify themselves as Negroes need to be included".[20][21] The word was also used in the 2000 Census, with over 56,000 people identifying themselves as "negro."[22] The Census Bureau website states it will no longer use a long form for the 2010 Census that a releive - they used to ask, how much do you make? when do you leave for work? are you disabled? how many toilets do you have? what is the GPS coordinates of your front door. SORRY. my medical and financial info is private.
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03-17-2010, 08:17 AM	#11
MCS e90 newbie 19 Rep 447 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 E93 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I agree partially with you in regards to privacy. I just received my form yesterday, filled it in (took about 3 minutes) and its in the outgoing mail today. There's absolutely no questions in regards to financial or medical information. Only number of people in the household, whether you own(with or without mortgage), rent, or live for free in the house as well as ethnic background. Filling in a paper mailed form seems a bit archaic in today's world. They could save a lot of money by allowing ppl to completed the form over the internet, perhaps mailing a postcard to you with a pin number and a Secure site to log in. Where I think the cost of the census gets ridiculous is for the lousy 20-30% of the population who dont' return the forms, in that case, a you'll get a phone call and/or a knock at the door. Any commercial demographic marketing company will have a better idea of who you are and your financial situation in their database than the Census. Google the site - "you are where you live" and plug in your zip code... __________________ E93 IL Blue M3 ZPP, ZCW
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03-17-2010, 07:32 PM	#13
fdsasdasdf Captain 52 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 330Ci ZHP 6sp Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	The census questions are designed to help make decisions in the future about things. It's really really really no big deal. It's quite simply statistical analysis of various things and looking at trends. In the end, it's a good thing. People need to stop freaking out about their privacy. It's a form. It doesn't hurt you. Get over it. The government knows LOADS of information about you anyway from tax records, etc.; this is just a much easier way for them to see all of those things in one form rather than having to delve into all of the pertinent information that they'd like to know. Mathematicians/statisticians need to analyze this data so that the proper people in the government can better understand the population. What's the WORST that they can do with your info, anyway? So fill it out honestly and send it in. The data will help improve future political decisions. I actually applied to do mathematical/statistical analysis for the Census Bureau. Didn't hear back from them, but the job description was pretty cool. You get to analyze all sortsa trends and compound lots of data. Last edited by fdsasdasdf; 03-17-2010 at 07:37 PM.
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03-18-2010, 12:19 PM	#14
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 1709 Rep 3,425 Posts Drives: E90 325i Arctic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	The thing that took the longest was to decide what RACE to put down for my Hispanic wife/kids. I picked Hispanic on Q5, but didn't know what to put for their race in Q6. I think we ended up with white, because they aren't black, Korean, Indian, Chinese. . . There are gonna b a LOT more white people in the census this decade
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03-18-2010, 06:49 PM	#16
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 1709 Rep 3,425 Posts Drives: E90 325i Arctic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	"Hispanic (Mexican, Spanish, something else) is NOT a Race for this questionaire" was the rough approximation of what it stated. I asked my wife what she wanted me to write in, and we couldn't come up with anything else. We checked Yes to Hispanic on Q5.
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03-18-2010, 07:17 PM	#17
BMW F22 Major General 889 Rep 9,162 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	Did anyone fill out their birth dates?
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03-19-2010, 10:16 AM	#18
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 1709 Rep 3,425 Posts Drives: E90 325i Arctic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Filled it all out, even my phone number (in case they can't figure out why my wife is hispanic/white)
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03-22-2010, 05:28 PM	#20
Yearofthe1 An ex-addict :-( 13 Rep 691 Posts Drives: VFR1200F Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: N. Va. iTrader: (1)	This reminds me of something a relative of mine once said to me about getting his tax return - "I'm not going to get a direct-deposit from the IRS, I'm having them mail me a check. The only reason they do that direct-deposit stuff is so they can get your bank account number. Then you're really screwed." Punch Line - this man is a salaried federal employee. And yes, his paychecks are direct-deposit. __________________ 135i Montego Blue, Grey Boston Leather, MT, Sport Package, Premium Package, Navi, Premium Sound, Heated Seats, iPod. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] We search for certainty and call what we find destiny. Everything is possible, yet only one thing happens. -Michael and Ellen Kaplan
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03-22-2010, 07:25 PM	#21
solefald Nigerian Prince 125 Rep 2,172 Posts Drives: '11 F25 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List '11 BMW F25 [0.00]	someone forgot his tinfoil hat at home... __________________ http://soundcloud.com/djtchort
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03-22-2010, 07:58 PM	#22
number335 Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 254 Posts Drives: E92 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	i filled mine out a few days ago. pretty painless process. it seemed pretty generic as it didn't ask for anything identifying me except my name and phone number. if i didn't complete the census, how would the census bureau know that i didn't? what if my name was joe smith or if i used a fake name?
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