Meet Obama’s newest Census collectors: Your kids!
If Team Obama could send their ACORN foot soldiers into taxpayer-funded schools to collect Census data, they would.
Instead, they’re turning your own children into proxy Census collectors. Specifically targeted: Bilingual children whom the government is relying on to reach non-English-speaking parents. (See my April 3, 2009 column: Obama Census – No Illegal Alien Left Behind.)
The White House is also joining with Sesame Street to help preschoolers evangelize about the Census to their parents.
Via USA Today:
Anyone tempted to ignore the 2010 Census will have a tough time doing it — especially if they have kids in school.
The government has launched Census in Schools, an all-out campaign targeting superintendents, principals, teachers, students and, indirectly, parents, as schools open across the nation this month and next. The message: The Census is coming and here’s why everyone should care.
The goal is to send posters, teaching guides, maps and lesson plans to every school in the nation, Puerto Rico and U.S. island territories to encourage everyone to participate in the national count. The materials will land in more than 118,000 schools and reach 56 million students.
“It’s great to reach the children because children are such strong voices in their homes,” says Renee Jefferson-Copeland, chief of the Census schools program. “In households that are linguistically isolated, they can express the information to their parents.”
…Between January and March, the Census Bureau will help plan a week of Census education in schools. During Census Week, teachers will devote 15 minutes every day for five days to the topic by discussing such things as civic participation, confidentiality or geography.
ABC stands for Activate Barack’s Cadre!
***
And in related schoolkid exploitation news:
The United Nations is recommending that children as young as five receive mandatory sexual education that would teach even pre-kindergarteners about masturbation and topics like gender violence.
The U.N.’s Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released a 98-page report in June offering a universal lesson plan for kids ranging in age from 5-18, an
“informed approach to effective sex, relationships” and HIV education that they say is essential for “all young people.”The U.N. insists the program is “age appropriate,” but critics say it’s exposing kids to sex far too early, and offers up abstract ideas — like “transphobia” — they might not even understand.
“At that age they should be learning about … the proper name of certain parts of their bodies,” said Michelle Turner, president of Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, “certainly not about masturbation.”
Turner was disturbed by UNESCO’s plans to explain to children as young as nine about the safety of legal abortions, and to advocate and “promote the right to and access to safe abortion” for everyone over the age of 15.
“This is absurd,” she told FOXNews.com.
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Impeachment – that’s what is on talk radio down here in Texas.
Okay. I guess I just have a hard time comprehending why you object to teaching our children about a constitutionally mandated process.
This census as opposed to all the others before it? Because I go back and look at the census data for other years and I see a whole lot more information than merely raw population. Hell, even the 1790 census had basic age and race breakdowns. You keep saying this one is political without saying why.
Rob Roy said (#13):
You’re projecting. The census form is not self incrimination.
Help me out, is this person nuts? Sending a note about the census is the same as using children to put parents in jail?
Why the MM anger on this issue? It seems to be that people don’t want the census to be accurate. An accurate census helps Democrats, so anything that makes the census more accurate is a communist plot.
You are using typical liberal logic to ridicule our questioning of this process. We will not be deterred. If there is something going on that is an insidious attempt to indoctrinate our children, then WE THE PEOPLE will find out. And if there is nothing to it, great. The POINT is, we are no longer going to sit back and just accept the things that are going on in our public, government-run schools. Not.any.more. This radical government has awakened us and there is no going back to sleep.
Chap, I have seen several of your post and you’re very bright person. I can’t believe you aren’t seeing the implications of this census. I don’t object to teaching the constitution to children (they don’t do enough). Age & Race aren’t a problem it’s the other questions did you read the questions they’re asking? Also, they can’t include another survey with the census such as the ACS which in itself is unconstitutional. Census is for enumeration only not anything else like what time do you go to work to the minute and do you have a flushing toilet, tax information and many more!
Of course we are hearing from lgm. Forget about it, lgm. We are not going to be fooled by liberal rhetoric and talking points. You can call us names. That is fine. Name-calling means nothing any more, especially coming from the likes of you.
I would argue that many here are using typical right wing hyperbole.
Super. Maybe everyone then should actually get a look a the teaching materials before jumping to all sorts of unsubstantiated conclusions and comparisons.
Please point them out using actual examples and differentiation from past censuses. What is being asked now that wasn’t in the past? And can you think of any non-political reason why such information could be useful?
So why did you say you would only answer the question regarding how many members of the family there are? Were you lying then or now?
Why can’t they? What law is it breaking? It may be unconstitutional to FORCE someone to answer those questions (though I think this is a more fundamental question) but I’d like to know what your basis is for saying that it is unconstitutional to merely ask?
Wow…good memory! Yes, I did try it. And I was successful!! I just left it alone all winter. In the spring, I took the domes off and there were sprouts. I planted them in pots. The only plants that ended up surviving were 3 lavendar plants, but oh, do they smell great!! I’m not sure I can winter them over, so I am keeping them in pots and will take them inside when it turns cold. Lavendar doesn’t grow well in Minnesota, but these seeds grew in a pile of snow in a milk carton…so I think they are tough little guys. There is a lesson here…something similar to our democratic republic and it’s tough beginnings. I like it!
Chap, you are being purposely obtuse. Whatever. Bye.
Chap I give up!!!!!! Have a nice day
Obtuse to what?
Obtuse to bizarre objections that their children are learning about civic duties in school? And we are not talking about mushy, feel good concepts of civic duty. We are talking about ACTUAL civic duties.
Obtuse to silly hyperbole and unsubstantiated claims?
I will. And I will gladly fill out my census form when it comes.
Chap, lgm,
Let me put this is the simplest of terms.
We all learned acbout the census in school. Yes, it is core to any lesson in government and civics and needs to be taught.
However, the STATE has no business encouraging children to do or say anything to get their parents to do something the government wants.
This is not education. It is promotion. And it does open the door for other more heinous things in the future. If the government wants to promote the Census with me, fine. However, don’t use my children to serve as their messenger.
CHAP NO ONE IS OBJECTING THAT KIDS LEARN ABOUT THE CENSUS! YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY MISSED THE POINT OF USING CHILDREN TO PROMOTE A PURELY POLITICAL CENSUS THAT BY THE WAY THEY’RE THREATENING PEOPLE TO FORCE THEM TO TAKE IT W/FINES THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CENSUS ONLY THE ACS.
Notice how tyranical governments always go after the kids first? Gotta mold those little clumps of clay…
Image how many more domestic soldiers they could have had, had the Democrat Party not supported a policy of infanticide. Well, maybe they just wanted a certain “kind” of footsoldier…ya think?
Commandant Pelosi has repeated leftist propaganda, disguised as affection:
“It’s for the children.”
and,
“Our children are our future.”
Yet, she not only supports abortion, but also the most egregious type of infanticide, partial-birth abortion (as does comrade Premier Obama)!
We should judge them not by their words, but by their deeds and actions. Especially now when our country’s future, and our freedoms are at risk of disappearing.
Forcing the citizens of this country to comply with insane directives is NOT leadership, it’s tyranny!
Excellent point! Education is used by the Left as a conduit to affect the political opinions of parents through their children all the time – even when it causes family disharmony over clashing viewpoints between the parents and their kids!
All I am asking is for someone to explain to me how this census is entirely political.
I mean you people REALLY can’t think of ANY non-political reason why more specific demographic information might, just might be useful to policymakers?
Also included will be several sections on how genital mutilation of young girls can protect them from certain forms of molestation (hey if you ain’t got ‘em, they can’t be touched!), the beauty of honor killing of young women safeguarding family virtues and reducing abortions (we want to make them rare), and 666 ways to kill Jews (Hey kids! Those hooked nosed, baby eating Jews can’t even hide behind a rock.) A special dedication to the Lockerbie bomber is included to teach about the need for prostate cancer screening. The UN Census group tells ABC News its goal: That in 2015 the World Jewish census will be ZERO!
President BO today honored France for being the only country to turn its Jewish citizens over to the Nazis to be murdered and criticized Italy for not doing the same even though Italy and its dictator Mussollini, were allies in WW II. The President again bowed to what he thought were a group of Saudi’s but turned out to be gypsies. After discovering his mistake, the president was overheard to say, “Someone ought to gas them!” Later his spokesperson clarified the President’s words, stating the President actually said, “I’ve got gas.”
ok chapoutier–should little illegal johnny get it completed?
Chap why is the census being move to the WH to control?
In the current Healthcare Bill page 324 will use the Census Data for any “Capacity Increase” of a hospital or health facility!
Good to hear! I’m trying it with rose cuttings and Mason jars this fall – thanks to your “planting” the idea in my head – and am hoping for results equal to yours.
Although we’ve raised vegetable gardens our whole lives, we’re only now getting into landscaping (much to the delight of our highbrow/critical neighbors!) and can use any and all advice on propagating flowers and shrubs.
Chap it’s not about useful policy makers! It’s about redistricting a more democratic base, power & money!
If they were to ask you for copies of your past five years’ tax returns so they could see income trends and marital patterns, would you provide them?
It’s not a matter of finding a non-political reason, it’s a matter of not providing a political reason.
And for the record, I do agree that people tend to get carried away with conspiracy, but painting everything as rosy when it has the potential to be much more is disingenuous.
Educating about the census is different than getting children involved, especially where potential privacy issues may arise of which children may not be aware.
I’m from the census. You heard about us in school, right? Can you give me Mommy’s credit card number?
Don’t forget Hillary’s “It takes a village”. Ugh.
Good luck! I hope it works for you!
John it’s not a conspiracy at all it is fact what they’re using this for and that the WH is now in control of a census that in it’s essence is not suppose to be political. Again, why does the WH want to control the census now?
Good arguments, non-political, for and against.
Bit of an overstatement. The issue, I believe, was that the Census director would have to report to senior White House staff. One can agree or disagree with that, but the Census is still undertaken in the Commerce Department, under that Secretary’s purview and still subject to all the same Congressional oversight it was in the past.
Do you see how you just contradicted yourself there?
ENOUGH SAID
Chap, you can’t be serious. Were you asleep when this occurred?
Where the 2010 Census will be Conducted
Translation: The data will be parsed and manipulated by political appointees and not professional, career, non-political employees of the Department of Commerce.
Now “CASH FOR APPLIANCES”
Just heard of it.
What Chapoutier fails to note is that the Census was designed ONLY to count heads. No info on what you do for a living, how much you make, what race you belong to, blah blah blah.
They will get a number from me. And that is all. That’s the only CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO.
Chap that’s not a contradiction the census is not to be used for HC facility capacity it is to be used for representation. HC facilities do not report to the federal government to build more space.
Why would I have to? They already have my tax returns.
I never said that census information could not be used in a political way. But that does not justify not collecting the information when it is is at least useful and at most vital to policy making decisions. If you want to control unintended consequences, punish the unintended consequences.
Also, Chap the fact that it is being used in the HC bill shows they have EVERY intention of creating a gov run HC and that hospitals and insurance will be CONTROLLED by the federal government!
Have you ever read some of the questionnaires from the first censuses? They ask for more than a simple headcount, sweetheart. As early as 1820, they were asking for breakdown of agricultural, commerce and industrial workers.
We must protect our children and our rights as parents.
Please visit: Parental Rights Amendment
114 Congressmen and 4 Senators are Cosponsoring this Amendment
…IS YOURS?
Uncanny logic.
The best way to prevent a crime is to punish it after the crime has ocurred.
Sounds like advice from Marion Barry.
And by the way Chap, who will do the punishing? I know, our Attorney General who was instrumental in the pardons of Marc Rich and FALN bombers. The same crime fighter who also dropped charges agains the NBPL Party thugs in Philly and dropped the investigation of Elliot Richardson.
Oh ya, I am feeling real warm and fuzzy right now.
Ohhhh….
In 1830 those Commie Fascist librul bastards asked on the Census for information on who was deaf dumb or blind! What does that have to do with representation!!!!
I guess I am not ready to punish crimes before they are committed. By your logic, cars should be outlawed because they could be used as a getaway in a bank robbery.
xler8bmw said (#122):
… proving that people know what its really about. Forget the code words.
This will teach kids civic responsibility by encouraging parents to complete census forms. Nobody gets hurt. Nazis encouraged kids to report Jews hiding from authorities. Can you spot the difference? If not, please respond in all caps.
More disingenuousness from Chapoutier:
Here is what the First Census consisted of:
A name. A number. That’s all it involved in the first Census survey in 1790. Nice try, Chapoutier. Liar.
Kapo lgm talking about Nazis encouraging kids to report on Jews… thanks for the supreme irony, you traitor to your own people.
The difference is that todays socialist are better at couching their language to appear less threatening.
For now.
No it didn’t, my darling. It also had basic age and race breakdowns. See…I looked at the actual census rather than relying on third hand tripe.
Sigh. Chap, the difference between you and me is that you think big brother has a right to intrude in our lives in many many ways. And I think they need to get the he11 out of my face. That is why we will never agree on this issue.
You are right about something though…the census has always asked for name, age, number in household, occupation and race. I know that because, as a genealogist, I have seen old census information. I don’t mind giving that information. Anything else, I DO mind!
Oh, and I don’t care what reason they come up with for wanting the information, they are not getting it.
Well once you concede that, you concede that Congress is, and always has had, an interest in the census above and beyond a simple head count.
Once that concession is made, like the old joke goes, aren’t we just haggling about the price?
The only reason why the first Census counted “whites” and “blacks” was to ascertain how many slaves and freemen existed. Since we no longer have slavery, the question is moot.
Again, I am not giving them any more than a name and a count of my household. They can kiss my ass if they want any more than that.
Chap – When you use “sweatheart” and “darling” in your replies you lose whatever credibility you wish to have for that reply.
So….you were wrong. It’s okay baby. Don’t cry. Chap is here to wipe away your tears.
And what about age? Why did that matter to a basic headcount. Representation is based on population, not on age.
And what about subsequent censuses around the time of our founding fathers that asked for more specific information, like handicaps? Dare I even bring up the 1810 census that asked for ALL types of information on manufacturing agriculture and commerce?
I save those gems for my favorite girl, atheling. Believe me, its a lot nicer than what she calls me.
I certainly agree. My point is I am not ready to provide the opportunity for crimes to be comitted by political appointees by handing over to them the means and the temptation to do so.
Chap, take a stroll through history and pick a President; any President, Republican or Democrat from FDR to today. If there was wrong doing, if there were breaches of liberty, if there were crimes within the Executive branch, where have they mostly eminated from?
The White House staff.
I have spent over 30 years in the corporate world and the military. Show me abuse, show me shady things, show me corruption and the vast majority of time they come from the staff. From H.R. Haldeman to Rahm, they are people who will sell their souls to serve and protect The Boss in ways that not even the boss would ever dream of.
No White House Staff, Republican or Democrat has any business having access to or having the means to manipulate the details of the Census.
If they get the data so will their Party and their policitcal cronies and their political opposition will not. Information is power.
And I think this is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Like banning cars so they can’t be used in the commission of a crime.
I think the issue with the Census director reporting to the WH is a different issue. And actually one that there is a good argument against. I know all this broke out when Judd was going to be commerce secretary. I wonder if it is still happening now that it is Locke.
Taking matters into our own hands:
My town hall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWyWe53VGZ8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Erepublicanproject%2Eorg%2Fnews%2F08%2D26%2D09%2Fsecond%2Ddistrict%2Dspeaks%2Dvideos&feature=player_embedded
You know better than that, Chap! Have you seen the other questions? A bit more than just intrusive. There may be legitimate reasons for asking, but that doesn’t mean we have to answer. I plead the fifth amendment right of refusal.
My take on this is that after reading the phrasing in the Constitution (…and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct…) what is allowed to be included in the information gathered by the government is pretty much anything they want to ask.
I am against that and think it should be limited to the number of citizens living in the household, period. But it is what it is.
The problem, for me, is that I do not trust the government, at all. I didn’t trust it under Bush, and I sure as heck don’t trust it under Obama.
Maybe you don’t have to answer. But that also doesn’t mean we have to get up in histrionics just because they do ask.
Of course, the point is to get the illegal aliens counted. Their children in school usually speak better English than their parents and have no reason to hide from authorities (or census takers). Unfortunately, our founding fathers did not anticipate this type of situation where non-citizens would be deliberately used to boost the number of representatives for a particular party.
No histrionics, Chap. Just caution. And with all the proof of the kinds of radicals who are running the country right now, caution is imperative.
Oh. Okay.
Fair enough, Chap, but why stop with the census? Why aren’t our children being taught about the rest of the Constitution, the Declaration, the Federalist papers, the conditions under which our nation was formed, why we fought our war of independence, the intentions of the Founders, biographies of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin?
The only parts of the Constitution that the Federal government cares to tell our children are the parts they think will help them expand their role in our everyday lives.
You seem to be beyond help.
Fine, then you can explain to me IN DETAIL why political appointees in the White House, for the first time in the 22 censuses over 220 years from the George Washingtom Administration to today suddenly need access to the detailed findings of the Census.
The White House will not explain it nor can you. Why is the White House silent, dead silent on this topic? Oh do tell me Chap, why they cannot explain it or even better WON’T explain it.
We have already seen Axelrod with e-mail addresses that could only have been shared with him. The Obamacare Bill allows your IRS data to be shared without a criminal warrant. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/26/taking_liberties/entry5268079.shtml
And you trust this bunch with the details of the U.S. Census? You assume they will not share it with their politcal allies?
The Fourth Great Lie. “We will not share the Census data selectively for political purposes.”
I intend to answer only 1 question. Not giving my name or any other questions. I have already had the ACS and didn’t answer any of it. The CB is an over grown, over funded monstrosity which hasn’t gotten through one modern census without being sued for inaccurate counts. If they can’t get the counts right, why should they get to do anything else on our dime?
Maybe the solution to all this is when the Census taker comes to your door, greet him with some fava beans and a fine Chianti……..
He may cut the interview short.
First, I have no clue as to whether or not previous administrations have had access to the detailed data. And second, even if it is true, is that what is going on here? If you can provide some clarification and/or references, that would be appreciated.
The IRS can already share your data without a warrant for any number of reasons, including statistical use in relation to the Census. IRC 6103(j)(1)(A).
Nice. In the book, by the way Lecter drinks a “big Amarone” rather than a Chianti. The moviemakers changed it because they thought that no one would have a clue what an Amarone wine is. But it would definitely pair better with liver.
check out the big brain on chap–knowing what Thos. Harris wrote in the book (I own all of them btw).
And—boohoo–I thought I was your favorite girl.
Well, not exactly like being able to quote Kant off the cuff.
You would be, but you are too high maintenance. It would be knockoff pleather handbags and Payless shoes with me.
Let me chime in here as both a teacher and prospective parent:
I’ve had to NEVER teach the Census to my students. NEVERRRRRR!!! I’ve taught the Constitution and the Bill of Rights but never did any administration, and I mean any administration, push me to become some intermediary between the government and the student/parents.
Do you lgm/Chap understand what that feels like? The state/federal government has already been heavily involved in what I can/cannot teach children as a History/Social Studies teacher. Most of the time, when I’m teaching Civics, US government, or the Constitution, I have to tread a fine line and stick to curriculum standards set up by whatever state I taught in.
This Census nonsense, like the UN agenda, are blatant interference. Since you, lgm, are not a secondary/primary teacher, and neither are you Chaps, you’re seeing it through your separate viewpoints. You’re not seeing it through the viewpoints of teachers and parents/students and that’s what really bugs me.
The Census may be a constitutionally mandated activity, but the government has no RIGHT to tell me or my students how to participate in ir. It doesn’t make you a better citizen for participating in it or even more involved. I’ve never taken the Census. The Census is directed more toward Urban and minority areas.
And, if the federal government is counting illegal aliens as US citizens, then how is that an accurate count? How is that fair to natural born citizens? If they want an accurate count, then why not do it the right way instead of going through kids?
As a teacher, I’m particularly defensive and irritated at further intrusions by the State. NCLB, which I iniatially supported, has turned into another well-meaning education iniative that pushes constant performance-based testing, is a good example of why kids and teachers are under constant pressure.
I’m sorry, but I call BS. Teachers are fine teaching the Census all by themselves without the unique “learning opportunity” the Obummer administration is giving them. I’ve had trouble in the past getting teenagers just to do their work and to trust me and this will make my job (if I go back into teaching) and those of many other hard-working teachers more difficult.
Yet, that’s besides the point. Because I should now trust the government isn’t using personal information to gerrymander more congressional districts to favor Dems. No, no worries there. I don’t know what I was thinking.
LOL–
You can keep the Kant.
I’ll take Dominic Dunne.
Chap, I feel the need to repeat the bottom line…BIG BROTHER GET OUT OF MY FACE! PERIOD. The government is of the people, by the people and for the people. They are there to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. They are not only failing, they are purposly destroying it. I don’t trust them AT.ALL. I want them all in prison. Do you understand me??? Yes, histrionics. I have had it with the corruption, the treason, the bob and weave, the Chicago mafia intimidation tactics. These thugs have to go directly to jail. They are destroying us, and for some reason, you can’t see that.
Not sure if you are still actively teaching, but is the government REQUIRING you, or any teacher to teach this material?
If you were a teacher, don’t you think it could be a useful springboard to not only teach about the census but also to put your own spin on with discussions about constraints on federal power and privacy issues?
That is actually a good point, Chap.
They are not counting through the kids. They are hoping the kids will go home and share with their parents what they learned so that parents will voluntarily participate and fill out the damned form. Not doing so costs the Census time and money having to knock on doors.
Chap on this we agree. Amarone would be much better choice for liver. Chianti would be way to light to blend with an organ meat.
I have never had a census taker knock on my door. I have received the census in the mail. Has anyone else? Also, I don’t remember having to answer a lot of invasive questions in the past, but then, I wasn’t as mistrustful of the government before either. Maybe I just didn’t notice that the questions have always been somewhat invasive. I know I have gotten more “radical” since the communists took hold of my country.
And another thing, if people think this Census is all about the kids, think again. I’m a teacher and I’ve seen so many so-called “kid-centered” curriculum trends that fizzled out because frankly they were more about social engineering than teaching our kids how to critically think.
The Census used to be a “safe” way to count people. However, in the wrong hands, it can unfairly concentrate power in areas of the country that already have too much representation and tax dollars (think California). I’m a social scientist and I can see this Census for what it is: a power grab.
Again, can lgm or Chap tell me why the Census is no longer being done by a separate agency but directly out of the White House? It either indicates a lacking sense of overall awareness or an absolute trust in government that has screwed up everything it’s touched.
Let’s get back to actually educating kids not putting thoughts in their head like:
“If I don’t tell my Mommy and Daddy how to fill out the Census we may lose our food stamps, welfare, or other freebies we’re getting.”
I’ve taught, already in my short career, many illegals’ kids (you can tell), as well as transient kids, and others on the poverty line, so I get the gist of why this Census is so important to Dems. It isn’t about accuracy, civics, or doing the right thing. It’s about exploiting kids (and their parents) and using them to maintain and concentrate/increase power.
I’ve already seen, on a first-hand level, how the federal and state governments have screwed up schools and how the constant tug of war between the two has lead to a lack of cohesive strategy and communication regarding education. This Census could be implemented for all the right reasons and, in the wrong hands, just make matters worse.
Thank you for your insight.
Chap, I will certainly defer to your expertise on that one.
If it can make liver worth eating, it must be special.
Absolutely. Give the lesson. Tell them how the information is used. Point to the part of the Constitution that mandates it. Print out the original census report from 1790 and the compare it to the one in 2000.
Ask:
1) What doe the Constitution require from the census? Is this a minimum or a maximum? What does the increasing complexity of the census say about the complexity of our society and the scope of our government? How can liberals like chapoutier support the census, as currently administered, while at the same time droning on and on about some supposed right to privacy inherent (but unwritten) in the Constitution to justify murdering babies?
All sorts of possibilities.
I can’t tell you because it isn’t true.
I never said that. But I guess I like fois gras, so I can’t be too down on liver.
Well, the White House thinks it’s true, unless they’ve changed their minds since then.
It DEPENDS on the state curricula. The Department of Education issues guidelines at every level about what kids should be learning. When I taught I never had to specifically focus on the Census, only its function, how its set up in the Constitution, and why it’s performed.
I’ve already done that with so many things current event wise. I don’t want to solely put “my own spin” on things like the Census when I’d rather have my kids study its history and come to their own conclusions good and bad. The Socratic method can often help kids reach their own conclusions and think for themselves.
I never suggested they “counted” the kids. However, I don’t think any government should use kids as Census takers, especially young, impressionable ones. Having children do the work of a government smacks of interference and influence. It only takes some person whispering in a kid’s ear and making suggestions (including teachers) that if they don’t get Mom and Dad to fill out the Census, something (fill in the blank) might happen to the family.
Going through kids to save time and money smacks of underhanded tactics and laziness. Oh my God, we might actually have to interact with REAL people. Can’t have that. Either way, a government that uses kids to collect information or impart some message on the part of the government, should be regarded with skeptism and suspicion.
That headline is absolutely misleading considering Axelrod’s actual quotes.
It is not being administered by the White House. It is now subject to oversight by the White House directly. It is also subject to oversight by Commerce and oversight by an number of Congressional panels, as it always has been.
I think one can disagree with this move by Obama and not have to grossly overstate the case to do it.
I didn’t mean “spin” in the bad sense. I just mean adding something more to the basic lesson plan.
Sorry should have been clearer. The second I submitted and read it back, I knew that was a poor choice of words.
It’s rather hard to misquote Axelroad when he so readily admits what the White House plans to do.
I think this is just more word parsing on your part. If you seek to influence and “oversee” directly a Census that is as good as it being administered by the White House. Why the interest all of a sudden by this administration? It wouldn’t be to maximize their reach and their power, would it? How can people take the Census seriously when the White House is so interested in its findings? If the Census is just another routine obligation by the Federal government then why this incessant need to get kids involved? When you come up with more questions than answers, there is something missing.
I don’t think Jet or myself overstated anything. It is striking that an administration, that supposedly represents the people, is suddenly so concerned with how the Census is being administered. No, they’re more concerned that the Census doesn’t capture enough minorities and illegal aliens to create more districts in their favor.
It’s politics. C’mon, Chaps, you can admit. It’s nothing new. However, let’s not treat the Census like some independent activity that encourages educational enrichment, understanding, or increased civic participation.
I’ve taught certain lessons that I “had to” and they had nothing to do with educational enrichment. This Census business is a side attraction to a pattern of behavior that has been going on for some months. I see it for it is. You see at as something that might “benefit” certain sectors of our society (good or bad).
As a former teacher, I concur!!! Children are being taught that their schools, teachers, admin., gov’t. are smarter and wiser than their parents. Many within the public school system (not all) truly believe it’s the school’s responsibility to raise our children better than us: the ignorant, delusional, low-brow parents.
Their manual ~ It Takes A Village.
I was actually
forcedencouraged to FIND children to add to the Free & Reduced lunch program because the Feds. & State were threatening our special needs funding!If oversight is the only criteria for administration than Commenrce and Congress are also administering it.
Look, I think that at best this has the appearance of looking shady. I think there are legitimate concerns about this in specific and politicization of censuses in general. I do not think that this delegitimizes the real and necessary value that accurate demographic data provide to policymakers. I think, with most things, there is a tightrope between privacy and legitimate need for information. I guess I fall a little further down the spectrum than “name and number only.”
BTW ~ Those Free & Reduced Lunch recipients were NOT all ligit!
I had to gather applications from kids who were borderline, but did NOT qualify The admin. altered their forms and sent them in for approval!
Typo ~ legit. NOT ligit.
(Sorry)
emjem24 and rightwingmom,
I’m reposting my response to lgm on another thread because:
I think it’s relevant.
I posted it pretty late and probably not many if any saw it.
I worked pretty hard on it.
Rightwingmom:
I forgot about the Free and Reduced Lunch. Ughhh. Anything to bring in the bucks.
I remember the official Attendance Day every year where I had to take down an official head count to maximize as much federal funding as possible. Education has become such a farce these days. This is why I’m not sure I’ll ever teach again.
Love my subject. Loved my kids. Hated the governmental interference and bureaucratic BS that got in the way. I guess I’m not a good government tool after all.
I’ll just satisfy myself with being a military spouse and letting the military and federal government muck up my life instead. Oh, well.
Even the “appearance of looking shady” gives one extra pause and concern considering all the other things this administration is doing. Even a lib like you, Chap, can admit there are bad dudes advising the POTUS. Unless, of course, you think admitted communists are just fine for this country.
Well said, Jet!
I’m going to admit something here. My eldest daughter is going through a divorce right now and just lost her job. Quite a traumatic time. She has a five-year old son who will be starting full-day school in a couple weeks. She totally qualifies for free breakfast and lunch. She is using it. I see nothing wrong with using a legitimate government program when you are truly in need.
Thanks, hap!
I can’t believe no one is going to call me out on this comment:
And FWIW, I can’t reconcile it. Not yet, anyway.
I always had the census mailed and never had anyone come to my door until I got the ACS, which used to be the census longform. There were too many complaints about the questions on the longform during the 2000 census that it was feared that people wouldn’t fill out the forms for any future census. When a form is not returned, a census worker has to visit every residence to confirm that it still exists. Possiblely the GPS tagging has changed that. After being harassed for 90 days by the census clowns for the ACS, I have little use for them. I don’t care that this year the census is only the short form. Beyond enumeration, the CB will get no other answers even if I get more census workers on my front stoop.
I understand that, happy, and have no problem with it, unless it’s being misused. That’s when my hackles are raised. And I’ve seen it misused. Just like other programs. Just so that public schools can bring in more bucks.
Good luck to your daughter. This program was devised for this very reason.