I agree. The information is only as good as what folks give out. Could be true....could be false.

I understand the need for the info, but at this point in time, with the way the economy is, I think the money used for this could be put to better use.

I agree to tell

how many live in my house
that we are retired

END OF STORY!

yes, I understand that someone out there is using these statistics to make a profile of each town, and how many folks are HS grads vs college grads, and how many are above/below the poverty line...they will have to do it without me.

I love some of these surveys that ask what level school you made it through, and how much your household income is. I always click the lowest. That way, they wont see me as a target to sell their crap too later on.

You know - I've never participated in a census...

In 2000, they probably thought we still lived in Florida. In 1990, they probably thought we still lived in Ohio. In 1980, I was saying "noch ein bier, bitte!". I wasn't in the country. In 1970, I didn't talk to anyone over 18...

Maybe they'll get me this year.

Tom

Actually the more people counted in a state, the more Federal funding that state gets for its use.

Also it is to decide how many Electoral votes that state will have, and how many Senators and House of Representatives members ( Congressional seats) it can have for that state.

Of course with more people in the state, the more the Fed money has to be spread around, to give them all services, programs, schools, taxation, etc. So head counting has many good reasons too.

So giving a correct head count is really a good thing for your Gov.'s and Mayors. The statistical data gets analyzed.

I just don't like them getting nosey into other matters that I don't think they should be in.

BTW,
The cost for the last 2000 census in the U.S. was estimated to be $4.5 billion, more than $15 per counted person.

I wonder what this one will cost us?

I don't mind if they know how many people are in my house, but like others said, that's all they need to know. What diff does it make to them what our education is? Or our income? Our race? Next they'll want to know if we buy Skippy or Jiff.

And you're right; peple lie. What does that do? Well, I'd guess skewing the results one way would give some areas more money. But it would probably also drive home values down.

Seems to me there has to be a better (and easier) way of doing the census. Relying on everyone to be honest is, well, ridiculous.

Do they include illegal residents in the count that determines the funding each state gets?

Why don't they just use SS numbers......or SS numbers plus school enrollment records......or something that's already being done. This is a huge amount of money to get a less than accurate count.

Just seems like a total waste of money to me.

I don't think they've counted me for years..

Since they don't ask for proof of citizenship, when taking a census, then States like California, etc., that have a large population of Illegal residents, will get a large Federal funding budget.

They can't use SS #'s because many people have died, many babies are born so the SS #'s are incorrect. People don't get always get SS#'s for their children, unless they have to do an income tax form or travel. Even with those numbers the Gov has sent stimulus checks to people who have passed away. They are not accurate be any means.

Door to door counting cost time and lots of money. Even that can be messed up.

Maybe a helicopter with infrared heat sensors flying over each house, car and Mall would prove more accurate a count. Okay I'm a bit science fiction and space oriented, but with the technology of today you would think there would be a better way then ringing a door bell.

Btw, the census people can come back to a non-answering home up to 10 times before they send a letter in the mail. What a waste.

For the life of me, I can't understand why people these days act like our government is somehow our enemy. It's so WEIRD to me.... especially when everyone partakes on many levels, of services our government provides.

Anyway, I have no problem filling out the census. I've been doing it for years. It's mandated by the constitution (a good thing - the constitution - right????) and participation is required by law.

The government isn't doing anything sinister or nefarious with the info. The population totals determine each state’s Congressional representation, numbers and data affect funding in your community, it helps policy and decision makers better understand how your community is changing. The data (the statistical, not your personal data) feeds a multitude of organizations. I want my stats in the mix. I count.

I can only speak for myself.......but all I was saying is there must be a better, more efficient, way of taking the census. I don't know what it is. But it just seems it's time for a different method. Seems to me like they're using an abacus when a calculator is right on the desk.