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Comments

1. #1
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:29 am, b-cat said:

   Overzealous Census partners such as the National Association of Latino Elected Officials have distributed recruitment propaganda urging constituents to participate because “Joseph and Mary participated in the Census.”

   Mary and Joseph (I assume they mean the Lord’s earthly parents) also went back to their hometown to be counted. Oh, irony.

2. #2
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:32 am, Flyoverman said:

   Where is H.R. Gross when we need him?

3. #3
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:32 am, J S Ragman said:

   But not to worry: The eco-racketeers of an Al Gore-endorsed carbon offset firm called “Carbonfund.org” have become official government “partners” with the Census to offset all the vehicle emissions – and surf off the free publicity to garner more shady business.

   Clearly a racket to us, but as I have learned in my years in business, you can go broke underestimating the gullibility of the average person.

4. #4
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:34 am, sbw999 said:

   Our elected representatives throw away hundreds of millions of dollars like its monopoly money. I think the animal known as a “fiscal conservative” is extinct, or a myth like a unicorn. You could probably cut 30% of our US budget and not adversely effect critical services to anybody. All pork, and payoffs. Makes me sick.

5. #5
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:35 am, granite said:

   Taxpayers should start crying foul.

   A lot more than that should be, and needs to be, done.

6. #6
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:35 am, zyzzyg said:

   Yes, advertising for the census could be a great less.

7. #7
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:41 am, Dexter Alarius said:

   “When times are tough, you tighten your belts,” President Obana lectured us. “You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas crony rewarding and vote buying projects disguised as ‘Stimulus’.”

   FIFY, Barry.

8. #8
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:45 am, Flyoverman said:

   Personally, I cannot wait to place my unopened Census form in the recycle box.

9. #9
   On February 5th, 2010 at 10:46 am, TigerLady said:

   “When times are tough, you tighten your belts,” President Obana lectured us.

   Notice Duh One said “you” tighten your belts. I’m definitely going to stop having chefs make my meals, stop taking my jet to Broadway and around the world, stop wearing $600 tennis shoes, etc.

   The Nit Wit in Chief is so out of touch with reality it’s funny. But I’m not laughing, how about you guys?

10. #10
    On February 5th, 2010 at 10:47 am, zyzzyg said:

    Yes, advertising for the census could be a great deal less.

11. #11
    On February 5th, 2010 at 10:51 am, swede said:

    – and shaping the electoral landscape.

    A compelling piece from MM, as usual, but this little nugget seems to be an after thought, when IMHO it should have a prominent place in the discussion.

    After reading this the obvious question that comes to mind is – Why?? Billions of (deficit) dollars spent to promote awareness of something that will “show up in our mailboxes” anyway? The obvious answer is using (manipulating?) the data to reshape electoral districts to favor Democrats.

    This is the only answer that comes to my admittedly limited mind. If someone knows of another reason for this insanity, please enlighten me.

12. #12
    On February 5th, 2010 at 10:53 am, DBNinKY said:

    The U.S. census is a decennial census mandated by our constitution. Should Americans know about it?

    Public schools begin teaching the Constitution as a part of US/American History in about fourth grade; Americans already know a mandated census exists – this ad blitz is nothing but a crony-based waste of taxpayer money!

13. #13
    On February 5th, 2010 at 10:58 am, Truesoldier said:

    Speaking of wasted money how about these created jobs of the so called stimulous:

    233,000 to the University of California at San Diego to study why Africans vote. Jobs created: 12, but seven of those are Africans in Africa.

    – In Nevada, $2 million in stimulus money built a new fire station, but because of budget cuts, the county can’t afford to hire firefighters to work there.

    – Penn State University got $1.5 million to study plant fossils in Argentina. Of 5 jobs created, 2 belong to Argentines.

    – Researchers the State University of New York at Buffalo got $389,000 to pay 100 Buffalonians $45 each to record how much malt liquor they drink — and how much pot smoke each day. Consumption is then reported via an automated phone hotline. Cost per job: almost $200,000.

    – The Obama administration is spending $5 billion to weatherize homes. But one Texas county spent $4 million to weatherize just 47 homes. That’s $78,000 per house. Each retrofit is supposed to save homeowners $500 a year in energy costs. That means taxpayers will recoup their investment in 156 years, long after the home is probably torn down.

    – Two Arizona universities got almost $1 million dollars so 3 grad students can study how ants work. That’s more than $300,000 per job.

    – Companies that raise tropical fish, shellfish, catfish, alligators and even turtles qualify for $50 million in tax money to buy fish food.

    – North Carolina public schools received $4.4 million to hire math and literacy coaches, not for students, but teachers. That’s 64 people paid $70,000 each to teach teachers how to teach reading and math.

14. #14
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:03 am, babiesgrandma said:

    I’ve mentioned it before: our family was “flagged” 10 years ago by the census to participate in a more probing question-and-answer session. We refused, saying we did not have to give any other information other than how many were here in our household on a particular given date. They insisted on coming back 2 more times – we kept refusing.

15. #15
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:07 am, nail49 said:

    “Joseph and Mary participated in the Census.”

    They went to Bethlehem (their home town) to be taxed — a part of the Roman’s census process.

    Maybe we should require everyone to go to their hometown for the census in 2010 and, when they try to re-enter the country illegally for the second time, keep them out this time.

16. #16
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:08 am, rocketman said:

    ***
    It’s always easy to waste Other People’s Money. I bet our CorrupticRATS and Corrupticans are a lot more careful when they spend their own bucks!
    ***
    One postage stamp per family sounds pretty good to me. Along with some T.V. and radio ads giving a website and a phone number the Census Bureau can use to send workers to for interviewing and counting the small percentage of people who can’t be handled by mail.
    ***
    And I think anyone counted this way should have to provide a driver’s license, green card, or other valid acceptable photo I.D. before being allowed to be counted.
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

17. #17
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:20 am, ex-expat said:

    To add a dissenting voice here, The money spent on the Super Bowl ad may seem over the top, but considering the aggregate costs to send out counters(enumerators) nation-wide @ $20 an hour plus mileage, to follow up on households which don’t respond, my sense is that its a bargin.

18. #18
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:35 am, Flyoverman said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:20 am, ex-expat said:

    To add a dissenting voice here, The money spent on the Super Bowl ad may seem over the top, but considering the aggregate costs to send out counters(enumerators) nation-wide @ $20 an hour plus mileage, to follow up on households which don’t respond, my sense is that its a bargin.

    Will the three people who learn from these adds that they need to fill out their Census form please raise your hand.

19. #19
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:47 am, sbw999 said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:08 am, rocketman said:

    ***
    It’s always easy to waste Other People’s Money. I bet our CorrupticRATS and Corrupticans are a lot more careful when they spend their own bucks!

    When do they do this? Like piggish leeches they seem to party on the public dime 24/7/365.

20. #20
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:47 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Some $80 million will be poured into multi-lingual ads in 28 languages from Arabic to Yiddish.

    Here’s another budget cutting measure that will save hundreds of millions:
    Pass legislation designating ‘American English’ as the official language. No more printing government documents, forms and election ballots in multiple languages. No need to hire people to translate said documents and ballots into Farsi, Urdu, Tagalog, Mandarin, etc…

21. #21
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:55 am, DBNinKY said:

    In all, the Census will triple its total budget from 2000 to $15 billion.

    Kinda O/T but relevant to fiscal responsibility:

    Have any of you noticed how most of the once hostile media have taken to referring to Tea Party protesters as the Tea Party Movement, and not by that expletive (tea b*gg*rs) which used to give them such delight?

    This shows that the Democrats and their friends in the media want to create a cleavage between the GOP and Tea Partiers that leads to the latter becoming a third party and results in Democrats winning elections by default.

    Please don’t fall for it – a vote for a third party candidate is a vote for a liberal Democrat.

22. #22
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:57 am, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Perhaps they should sponsor the Mexican National Soccor team. They would get the word out at a fraction of the cost!

23. #23
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:57 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 10:47 am, zyzzyg said:
    Yes, advertising for the census could be a great deal less.

    Oh no, this is utterly insufficient! I need a three paragraph single spaced analysis, stat! More context please! You’re not Ziggy! Who the hell are you? Hey everybody, a pod person has replaced Ziggy!

24. #24
    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:59 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Please don’t fall for it – a vote for a third party candidate is a vote for a liberal Democrat.

    Time to $%^& or get off the pot.

25. #25
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:03 pm, Hannibal said:

    I am really considering not participating in the 2010 Census. The data collected will simply be transformed into total bull crap to further the agenda of some bleeding heart group of parasites in the governmental or private sectors. The following little gem appears on the civilrights.org website.

    Experts say that the Census is not meant to be a vehicle for self-expression, but a tool for government agencies. “No question is on the Census that does not have a programmatic purpose,” said Prewitt.(ie Kenneth Prewitt, Carnegie Professor of Public Affairs at Columbia University and former director of the Census Bureau.) “The primary purpose [of the collecting racial statistics] is to inform the government and the society if there are population groups that continue to suffer from past discrimination, or are today being discriminated against…”

    How the hell does the self identification of your race provide meaningful data on whether you are currently or were in the past a member of a group that was discriminated against? I do not feel any moral, ethical, or patriotic duty to allow myself to be used to further the fracturing of the United States into victim subsets.

26. #26
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:09 pm, PhredE said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:47 am, Dexter Alarius said:
    Some $80 million will be poured into multi-lingual ads in 28 languages from Arabic to Yiddish.
    Here’s another budget cutting measure that will save hundreds of millions:
    Pass legislation designating ‘American English’ as the official language. No more printing government documents, forms and election ballots in multiple languages. No need to hire people to translate said documents and ballots into Farsi, Urdu, Tagalog, Mandarin, etc

    Yup, sign me on to that as well.
    Just FYI, there’s already an attempt to at such thing. Is it: S991 “The National Language Act”.

    http://www.rallycongress.com/english-first/2882/s991a/

27. #27
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:10 pm, oregonelam said:

    While mandated, the Constitution makes clear that the sole purpose of the census is to determine the number of representatives for each state. I’m glad to give them the information on the number of people in my household, but no other information, such as my income or the number of bathrooms in my house.

    By the way, we should start a campaign to answer “other” for race on all our forms.

28. #28
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:11 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    1.1 million temp jobs to take the census….seems it might be more cost effective to use a 44 cent bulk mail stamp to have the USPS delivery the census forms…nah…wouldn’t give the administration any “jobs created” fodder now would it…

29. #29
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:15 pm, sbw999 said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:47 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Here’s another budget cutting measure that will save hundreds of millions:
    Pass legislation designating ‘American English’ as the official language. No need to hire people to translate said documents and ballots into Farsi, Urdu, Tagalog, Mandarin, etc…

    How intolerant of you!!!! Don’t you like living in the Tower of Babel?

30. #30
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:20 pm, greenfairie said:

    “The video seems to be hampered by the same problem that plagues all campaigns meant to ‘go viral.—i.e., it’s simply not that funny…[T]he joke is a chuckler at best, and dragged out to three minutes, that chuckle gets spread pretty thin.” According to independent Census watchdog Stephen Morse, the feds conducted a total of 115 focus groups in 37 markets across the country before settling on the dud of an ad.

    Perhaps the Census Bureau should have hired Carly Fiorina’s #demonsheep.

31. #31
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:23 pm, Weary Citizen said:

    By the way, we should start a campaign to answer “other” for race on all our forms.

    The only problem to not answering the race identification question correctly is the racial makeup will be skewed to non-white which the race hustlers will then use to push for more affirmative action hiring. Saying, “see there is really 15% Black and 15% hispanic population so we are under-represented in the job market. We demand more diversity.” We all know the race hutslers will do everything they can to ensure their race/ethnicity answers the questions (even round up if necessary). It will become another tool to push for more concessions.

32. #32
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:24 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Very much OT:

    Live blogging the DC to Atlantic City SUPER HELL STORM 2010 here.

    50 mph, gusts over 60mph later tonight with heavy snow at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.

33. #33
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:24 pm, Teddy Kennedy said:

    Errah Demon Cockroach??!!

34. #34
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:26 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:11 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    1.1 million temp jobs to take the census

    Oh, to have a dollar for each one that is an illegal.

35. #35
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:30 pm, Ken M. said:

    From Buckner’s statement: “The Super Bowl is rare, in that viewers are just as tuned in to see the commercials as the program itself.”
    Well, not this viewer. Anyone who watches football regularly knows when they are about to break for comml., and this viewer hates comm’ls of any kind, Super Bowl or not.
    Just like lots of other useless stuff on TV, there is no point in wasting your time watching something. Whether you want to see it or not, you will be force-fed that same thing, after the fact, elsewhere and often.

36. #36
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:40 pm, pianoman said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:26 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:11 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    1.1 million temp jobs to take the census

    Oh, to have a dollar for each one that is an illegal.

    Does that mean the Census Bureau can be subject to penalties for hiring illegals?

37. #37
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:49 pm, RobM1981 said:

    The ads are bad enough, but the fact that they LIE drives me crazy.

    There’s one ad that states we wouldn’t know how many students we had in our school district if not for the census. They go on about how we wouldn’t have enough teachers, books, photos of the Premier, etc.

    It’s a lie. A bald faced lie. The census has nothing to do with monitoring school enrollment. That’s done each and every year by the school board, and anyone with a scintilla of common sense (read “Conservatives”) knows this.

38. #38
    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:53 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Great. Obama, on his endless “it’s not my fault” tour, is issuing a litany of new proposals to help the “engine of job creation, small businesses”, including a new health care bill, and a bunch of other new Republican-sounding suggestions that will never get passed but will make good fodder for campaigning later against “the party of “no”. Hey, running as a conservative but delivering nothing buy Kennedy socialism works for McCain. Why not?

39. #39
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:05 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:40 pm, pianoman said:

    Does that mean the Census Bureau can be subject to penalties for hiring illegals?

    Yes, they will use leftover TARP funds for the penalty payments.

40. #40
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:11 pm, Weary Citizen said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:53 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    Uh oh, now you went and did it. Expect Thomas to come around any minute now to defend his hero, mcamnesty.

41. #41
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:17 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    I want to respond to the Census question of race as “American”. I wonder if that will throw a wrench into the gears….I don’t think it’s the feds business to count race as I am concerned about how these corrupt bureaucrats will use the information.

42. #42
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:26 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:17 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    I want to respond to the Census question of race as “American”. I wonder if that will throw a wrench into the gears…

    No, but it will generate an automatic entry in the Homeland Security data base identifying you as a potential domestic terrorist.

43. #43
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:30 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    the anticipated Census Road Show carbon footprint, it’s an estimated 223 metric tons.

    But not to worry: The eco-racketeers of an Al Gore-endorsed carbon offset firm called “Carbonfund.org” have become official government “partners” with the Census to offset all the vehicle emissions – and surf off the free publicity to garner more shady business.

    This is amazing – Al Gore can prevent carbon emissions? Oh, he just makes money off it, but the busses spew fumes anyway? Oh yeah, Dem science…

44. #44
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:35 pm, Flyoverman said:

    But not to worry: The eco-racketeers of an Al Gore-endorsed carbon offset firm called “Carbonfund.org” have become official government “partners” with the Census to offset all the vehicle emissions –

    November is coming.

45. #45
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:37 pm, rambler said:

    If the gov wants us to fill out the census form to comply with the Constitution, it can start by having the elected official who swore and oath to protect and defend the Constitution to live up to that oath and stop all this nanny state garbage being forced on the rest of us. I’m tired of the data collected by the census bureau being used to justify the out of control spending on useless programs for social justice and income redistribution.

46. #46
    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:50 pm, Jenn of the Jungle said:

    @ Firstskirt # 42

    I always put a check in “other” and write in American.

47. #47
    On February 5th, 2010 at 2:06 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    Rambler #46 – YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!

    Jenn of the Jungle #47 – Yes, I done this on other types of forms. My spouse put American on his application for (forced to have) Medicare application for this year–all hell broke loose! HA!

48. #48
    On February 5th, 2010 at 2:37 pm, tiredofit08 said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 12:30 pm, Ken M. said:

    From Buckner’s statement: “The Super Bowl is rare, in that viewers are just as tuned in to see the commercials as the program itself.”

    who cares its football…bring on the stanley cup!! I’ll watch football when they play 3 rounds of the best of 7 games and then the best of 7 for the championship…

49. #49
    On February 5th, 2010 at 2:41 pm, zyzzyg said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:57 am, Rogue Cheddar said: #23

    Oh no, this is utterly insufficient! I need a three paragraph single spaced analysis, stat! More context please! You’re not Ziggy! Who the hell are you? Hey everybody, a pod person has replaced Ziggy!

    LOL

    You often provide me with the opportunity to appreciate silliness and humor. Thank you.

50. #50
    On February 5th, 2010 at 3:00 pm, Hulka said:

    Post 39: Speaking of illegals and census:

    Recently completed the census “long form” (American Community Act form) that includes demographic information. Sent it in.

    Received an evening a call from someone saying they are from the Census and they are calling to verify information on the form.

    I told the heavily accented mexican woman calling that I will not discuss personal information over the phone, that if they want to verify information they can do so by coming by my address and speaking to me directly.

    She insisted I speak with her. I declined. She then said she can provide me a telephone number to call to verify she is with the census. Not my job to verify who they are, it is their job to verify that to me.

    I said, no thanks, you could have easily set-up an “toll-free” number and again, I do not discuss personal information on the phone. I refused the number, as well, because I did not want to hunt for a pen and paper. It was Sunday evening, for goodness sake.

    She said she was going to enter into my file that I am not cooperative and hung up.

    These people, who the heck are they? Besides, it was clear from her accent that English was a second language to her.

    (As a side-note, last year I was a victim of attempted identity theft and am very protective about my personal information.)

    UPDATE: After about 2-weeks, I received an evening call (again) from someone telling me they are from the Census. I said nope, not gonna talk personal details over the phone and that “I don’t believe you.”

    She said something about having three ways I can verify who she is. I cut her off, saying, nope, you have to prove to me who you are, not the other way around, that if you want t talk with me, you have my address and come by.” I hung up.

    I am going to get caller-ID so I avoid this sort of pestering (possibly) illegal call from some scam person. If not a scam person, doesn’t the government warn people about NOT giving personal details over the phone and I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to do.

51. #51
    On February 5th, 2010 at 3:14 pm, swede said:

    Hulka said:

    Yeah, this sounds pretty weird to me. I’d have done the same thing. To start with, why would they need to confirm what you have already submitted? Do they think you can’t read? Why would a government “worker” be calling on a Sunday evening? I’d definitely smell scam.

52. #52
    On February 5th, 2010 at 3:57 pm, babiesgrandma said:

    We (in our town) don’t get mail at our street address: goes to the post office.
    Haven’t gotten the census form yet — probably was mailed to the street address.. Ha. The Post Office will not bother to look up your po Box #, if someone inadvertently sends something to a street address here. They will probably get them all back marked as undeliverable. Then they will come after everyone for failing to file a census.

53. #53
    On February 5th, 2010 at 4:01 pm, happy2behere said:

    Like taxes, I will give what is required by law, no more no less.

54. #54
    On February 5th, 2010 at 5:44 pm, Pasadena Phil said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 11:59 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Please don’t fall for it – a vote for a third party candidate is a vote for a liberal Democrat.

    Time to $%^& or get off the pot.

    I never vote for liberals or for 3rd party. The problem is that the Republican Party IS the 3rd party and they are determined to nominate liberals every chance they get. So I vote elsewhere… like Bob “The Builder” Barr in 2008.

55. #55
    On February 5th, 2010 at 6:44 pm, rightwingmom said:

    Just wondering ~
    is the current 9.7% unemployment rate due to the hiring of Census workers???

56. #56
    On February 5th, 2010 at 6:57 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    History shows that the more the Census spends on advertising, the lower the response rate is.

    Did you link the right article to support this claim? The article you link to supports the claim that advertising in 2000 most likely increased anticipated response rate. Further, an increase in response rate saves the government money that would be needed to door-to-door canvas non-responders.

57. #57
    On February 5th, 2010 at 7:21 pm, ScottyDog said:

    Where in the US Constitution does it allow the federal government to steal taxpayer funds to put idiotic commercials on TV featuring the has been Ed Begley Jr promoting the census?
    We need to vote out the current congress that has allowed this propaganda mess to be put on the air.
    Common sense is not any where in Wash DC and it needs to make a come back…big time!

58. #58
    On February 5th, 2010 at 7:22 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I have noticed a number of posters have said they were going to throw the census in the trash or otherwise ignore it. That would be a big mistake. We NEED people like us to be counted in the census! Otherwise the loonies will outnumber us, at least on paper and will give false results. Who knows what the consequenses of that would be? I suggest we fill out the census, as we have done every ten years. Just don’t answer anything you are uncomfortable with. We need to at least be counted!!

59. #59
    On February 5th, 2010 at 8:09 pm, swede said:

    happyscrapper said:
    We NEED people like us to be counted in the census! Otherwise the loonies will outnumber us, at least on paper and will give false results. Who knows what the consequenses of that would be?

    One possible consequence would be realigning electoral districts to favor Democrats. This is a big reason ACORN and Project Vote etc. are all over the census.

    Happy is right. Send in your census form.

60. #60
    On February 5th, 2010 at 8:18 pm, T-Bone said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 1:17 pm, FirstSkirt said:
    I want to respond to the Census question of race as “American”.

    I think I am going to put down “Mutt”

61. #61
    On February 5th, 2010 at 8:19 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Meanwhile, while we’re waiting for Thomas’s quixotic defense of McCamnesty, I give you Mental Health Break via Andrew (the beard) Sullivan.
    I find this strangely compelling, I don’t know why.

62. #62
    On February 6th, 2010 at 12:46 am, BlackFlag55 said:

    Bigger Picture

    Fascism

    Here’s the Hidden Picture you’re missing …

    The Lancet repudiating the vaccine study.

    Yes, that has to do with the Census. But you have to know the links to get it.

    The Lancet is no longer independent but as of 1991 is owned by Elsevier, a massive global publisher of medical and science ‘journals’. Elseveir was then bought out by Reed in 1992, creating a true monopoly on scientific/medical publishing.

    In February 2008, shareholders of Choicepoint voted in favor of acquisition by Reed Elsevier for $4.1 billion. Choicepoint is an American data aggregation company with personal files on more than 220 million people in the US and Latin America. The acquisition was completed in September 2008 (Wiki)

    ChoicePoint is deeply involved in census data, its acquisition, management and use. They are rumored to have been created by interests of the US Federal Government to sidestep legalities of of US agencies building database files on every US resident. US law enforcement and other agencies are prime ChoicePoint customers.

    Which include your medical files. Consumer habits. Communications records. Every file you can imagine.

    And now, apparently, they want even more data collection on us. The rumored scope and depth of personal information being ‘required’ is so preposterous that the Better Business Bureau issued this Warning …

    BBB Alerts Consumers about U.S. Census Workers:
    Be Cooperative, But Cautious!

    For years, Better Business Bureau has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the U.S. Census process beginning, BBB advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

    The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually,more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

    “Most people are rightfully cautious and won’t give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however the Census is an exception to the rule,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson.

    “Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.”
    The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year, as well as determine a State’s number of Congressional representatives. Households are required by law to respond to the Census Bureau’s request for information.

    During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers.

    Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.
    Question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

    If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.
    Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

    Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

    While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.
    Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home.
    However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail scams impersonating the Census.

    Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

    So … bottom line is, the same Interests that strong-armed the Lancet to repudiate a study linking MMR vaccine to autism now owns the repository of your Census data.

    If you think this cabal ain’t crooked, then you’re not reading widely enough …

    Merck’s Ghostwriters, Haunted Papers and Fake Elsevier Journals –
    http://laikaspoetnik.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/mercks-ghostwriters-haunted-papers-and-fake-elsevier-journals/

    Context – it’s everything …

63. #63
    On February 6th, 2010 at 4:31 am, babbledabble said:

    A quote from a liberal relative:

    “the Republicans wanted to cancel the census because they were afraid the jobs for the census would drop the unemployment rate below 10%… except that happened in January.. so maybe they will cancel the census for fear unemployment may drop below 9%”

    HUH?!?!? What will they blame on us next???

64. #64
    On February 6th, 2010 at 11:24 am, mytake said:

    PJTV is streaming the Tea Party Convention. Breitbart just spoke and was brilliant. I want him to be our next President!!!

65. #65
    On February 6th, 2010 at 12:05 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On February 6th, 2010 at 4:31 am, babbledabble said:

    A quote from a liberal relative:

    Just ask the relative how the unemplyment rate managed to go from 10% to 9.7% in the same month the number of net jobs gained or lost was 22,000 jobs lost.

    The answer you get should be priceless. Mayan math anyone?

66. #66
    On February 6th, 2010 at 6:15 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    Just ask the relative how the unemplyment rate managed to go from 10% to 9.7% in the same month the number of net jobs gained or lost was 22,000 jobs lost.

    The numbers are based on 2 different surveys: Survey of households for the former and employers for the later. No math involved.

67. #67
    On February 6th, 2010 at 6:40 pm, RetFireman said:

    All this and more, yet they cannot figure out why Odumbo reached new lows in the polls today with 44% approval and 55% disapproval…less than a week after his post-State of the Union bump.

68. #68
    On February 6th, 2010 at 7:10 pm, graysonret said:

    yet they cannot figure out why Odumbo reached new lows in the polls today

    Oh, they know. That’s why the bad stuff doesn’t take effect right now. Con the public and let it hit them after the elections.

69. #69
    On February 6th, 2010 at 7:40 pm, TX_HCG said:

    The bigger problem with this Census (short form) is that it doesn’t ask if you are a citizen. So illegals will be counted as citizens!!!!

70. #70
    On February 6th, 2010 at 8:23 pm, Dimsdale said:

    On February 5th, 2010 at 3:00 pm, Hulka said:

    Post 39: Speaking of illegals and census:

    Recently completed the census “long form” (American Community Act form) that includes demographic information. Sent it in.

    I refused to return the ACA, as it was unduly intrusive, and asked for information that extremely personal and unnecessary. They sent three copies, followed by several phone calls, all promptly ignored.

    Seriously, a kid with a computer could make up one of these forms and harvest every iota of your private and personal life. Just saying you are from the Census Bureau doesn’t cut it in these days of identity theft. I would be double suspicious of someone with a heavy accent.

    -Proud infidel and profiler

71. #71
    On February 7th, 2010 at 7:54 am, jangar said:

    “You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas.”

    In other words…”I’ll manage your disposable income for you…along with everything else”.

72. #72
    On February 7th, 2010 at 8:45 am, walterc said:

    By the way, we should start a campaign to answer “other” for race on all our forms.

    I always use “other” and put Euro-American on gpv’t forms. Except on a census form. On the census I meet the constitutional requirement of how many. Other than that, no comment.

73. #73
    On February 7th, 2010 at 9:25 am, swede said:

    walterc said:
    I always use “other” and put Euro-American on gpv’t forms.

    Except Euro-American would put me in the majority. Swedish-American puts me in a minority, which presumably should qualify me for numerous Govt entitlements. Still waiting for my stimulous check though.

74. #74
    On February 7th, 2010 at 9:57 am, graysonret said:

    Maybe I ought to use “other” too, being proud of my Celtic background. Actually, I’m Scotti-Pict, and not Anglo-Saxon; people we have fought for many centuries, along with the French (Normans). Why is it that every white person is either Anglo-American (German based) or Anglo-Saxon (German based again)? Not many know their history I guess.

75. #75
    On February 7th, 2010 at 10:06 am, happyscrapper said:

    On February 6th, 2010 at 7:40 pm, TX_HCG said:
    The bigger problem with this Census (short form) is that it doesn’t ask if you are a citizen. So illegals will be counted as citizens!!!!

    Even if they asked, who would answer “No”? They probably know that.

76. #76
    On February 7th, 2010 at 10:10 am, graysonret said:

    Even if they asked, who would answer “No”?

    Might be an interesting answer…answering “no”. Rationale could be I am a citizen of the USA, formed from our Founding Fathers, not the USSA, formed with the Pelosi/Reid/Obama coalition. Just a thought….

77. #77
    On February 7th, 2010 at 10:14 am, happyscrapper said:

    On February 7th, 2010 at 9:57 am, graysonret said:
    Maybe I ought to use “other” too, being proud of my Celtic background. Actually, I’m Scotti-Pict, and not Anglo-Saxon; people we have fought for many centuries, along with the French (Normans). Why is it that every white person is either Anglo-American (German based) or Anglo-Saxon (German based again)? Not many know their history I guess.

    I plan to include my race. That information is valuable for many reasons and I hope people will be honest. As a genealogist, I have used census data going way way back and I am so grateful for the information they give. Also, I don’t want them to make the claim that minorities are now in the majority. Don’t know why, but that bugs me, especially if it isn’t a fact, but based on faulty data, like so much of the government data is. And who is to say any of the census data will be portrayed accurately anyway? I no longer have ANY trust in government statistics. They all lie. They don’t even realize they lie because it is the norm for them.

    I am an Anglo, but not German based. I come from England and Norway, with a tiny bit of German thrown into the mix. There is a bunch of other stuff in there too! I might possibly have Scottish ancestry too, but still investigating that link! Also, American Indian from the 1600′s. Yes, a proud MUTT!!

78. #78
    On February 7th, 2010 at 10:27 am, TK-421 said:

    @85 I might would, minus I’m German/Irish/American Indian/Mongolian/possible Eastern European/Russian/or Centeral Asian. Whenever I try pointing that out they just mark white on the form. Not much point, like my daughter is half what I am, and half Chinese, Vietmanese, given her looks I suspect Asian will be wrote reguardless.

    Could be an ass and write human, some people hate that lol.

79. #79
    On February 7th, 2010 at 10:31 am, graysonret said:

    Anglos and Saxons originally came from Germany. They settled in England, pushing aside the Brits around 800 AD, if I recall, and the Danes. Imagine if all African-Americans were called Zulus? Same thing, calling all whites Anglo-Saxons.

80. #80
    On February 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm, plymouthacclaim said:

    Scottish, Irish, Welsh, English, Mexican, Native American, and *shudder* French (that’s what I know about).
    To make my wife, subtract the Mexican and French, add Cornish and German, keep the rest.

    I’m thinking about putting “Celtic.”

81. #81
    On February 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm, plymouthacclaim said:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Xv_fgPhlI

    My response to the Ed Begley Jr Census video.