Your Census boondoggle story of the week
Add this one to the mountainous, taxpayer-subsidized pile — from my home state of Colorado, via 9News:
The U.S. Census Bureau spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on promotional items used to convince more people to mail back their census forms, but a 9Wants to Know investigation found thousands of the items were dropped off, unused, at a local high school.
The leftover items, such as backpacks, cloth grocery bags, hats, pins, magnets and business card holders, were dropped off at Lakewood High School last month.
“We probably had, between the backpack style [bags] and the shopping bag style [bags], over 1,000 dropped off,” Lakewood High School Principal Ron Castagna told 9Wants to Know.
He estimates more than 1,000 posters printed in different languages were also dropped off at the school.
An unknown Census worker walked into the school in mid-April and asked the principal if she could leave the items. She did not ask the school to distribute them.
“[She] said, ‘We have extra stuff. We’re wrapping up the Census and we just want to distribute the materials,’” Castagna said.
It did not sit well with him.
“Wait a minute, times are tough and I’m sitting in a position where we’ve got a school district that’s done everything the right way and yet we’re still going to face budget cuts,” he said.
Among the many boxes of posters the Census worker left at the school, were more than 300 promotional posters printed in Farsi. Farsi is the language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan.
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
 |
Your Census dollars at work: $100,000 Vegas junket to Treasure Island, baby
September 21, 2010 10:43 AM by Michelle Malkin
45 Comments
Unemployment at 9.5%; another Obama econ adviser bails; Mrs. Obama hits the beach
August 6, 2010 08:54 AM by Michelle Malkin
77 Comments
9.9%
May 7, 2010 10:49 AM by Michelle Malkin
201 CommentsLeft-wing lawyers: Minority criminals have a right to Census boondoggle jobs, too!
April 13, 2010 01:47 PM by Michelle Malkin
30 Comments
More anti-anti-Census nonsense: Bill Press calls for Erick Erickson’s arrest
April 8, 2010 11:20 AM by Michelle Malkin
53 CommentsToday’s unemployment figures — and more Census workers’ true confessions
April 2, 2010 10:07 AM by Michelle Malkin
60 Comments
Categories: census
Villainous Company
» Must Read Post of the Day. Possibly, the YearSister Toldjah
» Barack Obama: Can we call him a Socialist now?
Maybe they can sell it on ebay. I want one of each item. Didn’t I already pay for that stuff as a taxpayer anyway?
Funny thing is my workplace is a host to the US census.
I cant give examples as my contract prevents me from stating anything I see at work as privileged info. Suffice to say I can give a general comment that the Census is really screwing the US taxpayers. I have seen it first hand.
“[She] said, ‘We have extra stuff.
Translation: We’ve already taken anything useful
We’re wrapping up the Census
Translation: This gravy train is about to stop and we’ll have to find some other way to scam the system
and we just want to distribute the materials,’” Castagna said.
Translation: and we think we’d get in trouble if we just chucked this stuff in a dumpster
I didn’t realize there is such a huge Persian population in Colorado.
A couple of thoughts:
- Obama put on his census form that he was black, not 1/2 & 1/2. Isn’t it a federal crime or something to misrepresent info on the census form?
- They sent me two census forms on two seperate occasions. Should I fill it out again and send it in a second time? Just wanting to fulfill my civic obligation…
Well, there is the carpet store in the mall…
The Farsi thing is all wrong. Most of the Hezbo sleeper agents in this country, while under Iranian control, are Arabs, and speak Arabic.
If we want to provide the best in welfare services for these sleeper cells, we need more promotional material in Arabic. And, of course, Urdu.
Is everything this idiot administration touches tainted?
About three weeks ago, I was in Havasu Landing, a small community composed of trailer parks on the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation. It’s across the lake from Lake Havasu City on the California side.
I went into the hardware store. As I paid my bill, the clerk asked me if I wanted some T-shirts. He said we have a ton of them and I want to get rid of them. They were Census T-shirts with some reference to being Indian printed on them. He gave me six of them so I can use them to wipe down my boat.
NIce to see where our tax money is going without any oversight at all. At least I have some new rags!
Ann Arbor public elementary:
No white students allowed.
Tiger Lady- YES.
Wow. That is appalling. Where is the ACLU?
*crickets*
Well, hey, we want to count all the Taliban in our midst, right?
Ever since I received my second copy I’ve wondered how many idiots out there have sent in the second copy, and what kind of problems it’s causing. As some wise person once said, never underestimate the power of human stupidity.
No wonder the Census Bureau is always over budget. Time to cut the CB’s budget.
Those weren’t wasted items, that was stimulus money at work, and an attempt to “transform” our youth into loyal drones of the administration.
It depends on what race you mark on them. If you mark them as anything but white, they’ll count you twice for each form. If you mark white, they’ll just toss both of em into the trash. Maybe you should mark one white, one black and let them offset each other.
I filled out my census form. Did not answer the race questions. I stated on form that I refuse to answer any racist questions. I figured that if the left can define racism/racist to suit their needs, I can do so as well.
It just so happens that I am closer to the truth.
Given that the principal making the decision was black, he’ll receive a sternly worded letter reprimanding him, if that. Of course the ACLU will be along side him in his defence.
But if he gets a sternly-worded letter, that would be racist. No, people will be browbeat and the MSM will ignore this so it will be swept under the rug with all other racial issues.
And we’re we supposed to have a frank conversation about race in the country?
I wonder if the principal beats up the non-AA students for their lunch money as well.
You’re right. What was I thinking. He’ll receive a commendation for his wisdom in race relations, and invited to the White House for an educational summit.
No, he wouldn’t stoop to that….he probably has a select group of student leaders do it for him.
Ah yes…the Special Assistant to the Principal for Race Relations and General *ss-Whooping…
Dear Mr./Ms. Southpaw:
We’re sorry that you received a second census form. Those were only intended for democrats and illegal aliens, so we can offset the number of intelligent people that are actually due representation.
You need not bother to fill it out and send it to us. However, don’t throw it away! (I know you conservatives don’t recycle.) Please give it to one of your liberal neighbors, or drive to the local intersection where the illegal aliens hangout (looking for work you won’t do) and give it to one of them to complete.
Thank you for the taxes you gladly give to us. We know, that you know, we are spending them wisely.
Signed – U.S. Census Bureau
Go here for my little ditty about the census forms.
PS – Would you like a t-shirt?
No way. I’m clinging to it, along with my guns and religion.
What would they have done with half white / half black Barry?
You can file a complaint anonymously under the whistle blower provisions…
That’s because they didn’t contain condoms and fisting kits! Duh!
As noted elsewhere, I suppose the Ann Arbor “educator” never thought that white students seeing a successful Black man who wasn’t an athlete or rap singer might not be a good thing in itself.
Full Disclosure-
I have been drunk in a hippy socialist co-op dorm called “The Joint House” in Ann Arbor.
But no, seriously, I didn’t inhale. Well, whatever I ingested, of the cannabinoid type, was purely secondary exposure. I stuck to beer.
I also purchased a Michigan Wolverines hoody, which I can still wear because Texas beat Michigan in the 2004-2005 Rose Bowl.
I spent a year with drunk and doping RTF major socialists in a co-op dorm in Austin. On campus dorm space was limited, and it was cheaper than an apartment.
We took a road trip once. I rode up with the lesbians from the on-campus female only co-op, road back with the stoners. The stoners were at least talkative.
Anyway, I lived alone the rest of my years at UT.
Under question #9: Race, I put AMERICAN!!
Undocumented worker…
http://twitpic.com/1lcibw
The form is racist. Why does the color of my skin matter to the government? What are they going to do or not do based on my race? I checked other and wrote in American.
I can understand the age question because an aging population does make a difference for how to govern. Skin color does not.
To get a head count these days, just add up those citizens who pay taxes plus those citizens who get benefits, add kids, you’ve got everyone counted. It’s virtually impossible not to be one or the other group.
Census worker came to my house. I was polite and answered any questions that people could figure out from the internet (Name) including how many people lived there. He left and a few minutes later he came back and asked how long the house next door had been vacant.
The house next door isn’t vacant. He said that there were several phone books on the front porch so it must have been empty for three years. I smiled and explained that three different companies distribute Yellow page directories and some people don’t use their front door. He smiled and looked at me so I could offer more information, I smiled and closed my front door.
“Press “3″ for Farsi…..“
India will count its 1.1 billion citizens at roughly $1 Dollar per person, and photograph and fingerprint all citizens over 15 at the same time.
America will count its 310 million for $14.5 billion- $46 per person.
I am not in favor of a ‘biometric census’, but in 2020, let’s consider outsourceing the census to India.
Excellent job tonight on Hannity, Michelle!
Looking and sounding good!
But, those were needed to make sure everyone returned their Census. Or not.
“…Press 6445 for Aramaic…press 6446 for Istriot…press 6447 for Klingon…press 6448 for mime…”
Southpaw … #5 … Backwoods conservative … #14
I received 5 copies of the census forms across 4 weeks …
I sent the first one in immediately after I received it back in early March …
A week later I got a second one …
A week after that I got a third one …
The next week I got 2 more …
I also received numerous letters and postcards telling me to be watching my mail for the forms …
I finally got ticked at the waste when the 5th set arrived and so I said a few choice words about it and filled out the other 4 and sent them in as well …
Additionally I have had 5 “census taker” crews come to my front door since April 7th … they have been in groups of 2 and came to the door as late as 8:30 PM …
I continue to refuse to re-answer the questions that I already responded to … 5 times …
I told them “my form was completed and sent in and if they can’t find it go talk to the post office … it’s not my problem … I did what I was supposed to do” …
Additionally … Every single one of these “census takers” have had major attitudes which just stiffened my resolve not to talk to them …
If this were still America, instead of the Bank of the New World Order and The Police Department of the New World Order, our gubmint would actually be looking out for it’s citizens for a change. I read the other day that Ike rounded up and deported 10 Million illegal aliens in 2 years after 12 years of give me your criminals, crazies, nazis, and war weary homeless seeking jobs AND welfare in 1952. But of course, Ike won his wars, didn’t apologize for doing so, and was President of ONLY the United States of America. Now we have these jerks (Bush 1 onward) who desperately want to build a peaceful world based upon socialist ideals such as everyone shares. Well I ask you, has anyone out there ever had their neighbor give them $100 just for being a good neighbor. NO. Life isn’t equal, and the US CAN’T PAY TO FIX EVERY COUNTRIES PROBLEMS. Yo Mexico, fix your problems of no jobs, then your people can stay at home and make you a rich nation.
This just one of 999,999,999 reasons why we need a government limited to 15% of GDP, dammit! Enough is enough.
Sooner or later you have to shoot the retarded 800 pound gorilla and get yourself a 6 pound capucin to fetch your paper.
So, they’re taking the census in Afghanistan?
limit government. The nature of spending someone else’s money is that it ain’t your money so who cares.
I laughed about how the census takers would never count me because of where I am at–30 miles from the nearest town in the Alaskan bush. Imagine my surprise a couple weeks ago when a plane started circling my airstrip–I tried to wave it off because the snow was melting and the strip was too soft.
Well, they came in anyway, landing in the mud and slush. 3 people on the plane–the pilot, co-pilot, and a census taker!
The census lady took my info (race: other–American), and we talked for a bit. They were looking for strays like me to count having flown 300 miles from Anchorage.
They were damn lucky to get out of here because of the airstrip conditions. Of course, they could have just called here but I suppose they have to verify in person.
Still kicking myself for not running to get my camera!
The census lady came around last Saturday looking for our part time neighbor. I don’t know their name, I just know they bought that condo as a place to stay when they come from somewhere to see their grandkids. So I did tell the census lady that. She wanted all of MY contact information because I was helping her out (she was very polite). I refused to give her my phone number. I also told her that I put “other” for race because I felt America would never be post racial as long as the government kept pigeonholing us into a race group. I told her I wrote in American. She nodded politely and again asked me to verify that the neighbors were not at that condo on April 1. I confirmed that they were not (they haven’t been here in weeks). She thanked us for helping her and got in her car to track down others in the area, as she had clipboard full of papers.