Rep. Patrick McHenry (R) has written a post for wingnut site redstate.com, trying to convince conservatives to return their census forms; McHenry claims that early census returns are showing that conservatives are less likely than liberals to return their census forms.
According to Politifact, however, this claim is false.
1 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:01:34am |
Hell, even Karl Rove is doing PSAs for the census now. This is a nontroversy of the Conservatives’ own making. First, they get their spokeswacko, Bachmann, to say it’s a government conspiracy, and then they claim that conservatives aren’t filling out the census forms because they’re afraid of a liberal conspiracy. Next, when the results are finally published, they’ll claim that the census was flawed and has to be done again because it left out conservatives…this will be a census that winds up in the courts.
| 2 |
jamesfirecat Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:02:20am |
Damn and here I thought they were going to have a perpetual revolution machine going.
Republicans don’t fill in Census forms for fear of big government—-> Government needs to hire people to go door to door—-> Government gets bigger—-> Republicans become more afraid of big government.
And scene!
| 3 |
Ericus58 Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:03:23am |
I’m just not feelin’ the problem with participation in the census…
Who knows what descendant of mine will use this in their search of family history?
| 4 |
lawhawk Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:04:02am |
It would be the ultimate own goal for conservatives to not fill out the census forms since it would deny them their representation in Congress. The more complete a count, the more likely representation in Congress and appropriations of funds will accurately reflect the current demographic composition around the country.
After all, if you don’t like the current Administration and its policies and Congress’ actions, reapportionment of districts can swing districts from one side of the aisle to the other and can affect outcomes in the Electoral College as population shifts from some states to others (along with population increases).
| 5 |
Dancing along the light of day Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:04:17am |
From the Politifact link
Bachmann said then. “And I know for my family the only question that we will be answering is how many people are in our home. We won’t be answering any information beyond that, because the Constitution doesn’t require any information beyond that.”
Isn’t the head/body count what is used to redistrict, distribute money, etc.?
| 6 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:04:56am |
“Few things will make Nancy Pelosi happier than large numbers of conservatives failing to respond to the census,” McHenry wrote. “If we do not respond, we will not be counted, and if we are not counted, then we effectively will not exist. That would reduce conservatives’ power in elections, allow Democrats to draw more favorable congressional boundaries and help put more tax-hiking politicians in office.”
And the problem with this is what again?
| 7 |
HappyWarrior Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:05:22am |
Ya know I had to fill out a census form for the first time being I was 13 in 2000 and have my own place sorta. It took me less than five minutes to fill it out. I have no idea Bachmann and the others who are fearmongreling about the census are on but damn they’re nuts.
| 8 |
lawhawk Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:05:25am |
re: #5 Floral Giraffe
Yes. Reapportionment of districts is based on the census counts. It also affects the electoral college for presidential elections and for the appropriation of funds to states, some of which is based on population data.
| 9 |
Mostly sane, most of the time. Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:06:05am |
re: #4 lawhawk
It would be the ultimate own goal for conservatives to not fill out the census forms since it would deny them their representation in Congress. The more complete a count, the more likely representation in Congress and appropriations of funds will accurately reflect the current demographic composition around the country.
After all, if you don’t like the current Administration and its policies and Congress’ actions, reapportionment of districts can swing districts from one side of the aisle to the other and can affect outcomes in the Electoral College as population shifts from some states to others (along with population increases).
Not that I would fail to fill out my census (already done, as a matter of fact), if you are a conservative living in a highly liberal area, not filling it out would decrease the power of the liberals around you.
| 10 |
HappyWarrior Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:07:46am |
re: #5 Floral Giraffe
From the Politifact link
Isn’t the head/body count what is used to redistrict, distribute money, etc.?
Pretty much so. I’d find it hilariously ironic if by urging people not to fill out their forms that Bachmann lost her seat in Congress.
| 11 |
Dancing along the light of day Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:07:57am |
re: #8 lawhawk
I guess my question is, if Bachmann said her family was only going to answer the head count, she’s being counted, so what’s the big deal?
| 12 |
charlz Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:08:26am |
re: #7 HappyWarrior
others who are fearmongreling about the census
Don’t know if you intended it or not, but ‘fearmongreling’ is a great neologism!
| 13 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:10:31am |
re: #11 Floral Giraffe
I guess my question is, if Bachmann said her family was only going to answer the head count, she’s being counted, so what’s the big deal?
Bachmann is trying to make a big stink out of this where it doesn’t really need to exist. Chances are, her husband will open the census form (if he hasn’t done so already), check White, fill in birth dates, phone numbers, etc. and send it in…complete.
| 14 |
badger1970 Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:10:47am |
The only thing I question about the form is how many people will need to fill out all 13 columns (or need more) for the number of people living at that residence.
Otherwise, simple process, postage paid.
| 15 |
MrSilverDragon Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:11:02am |
re: #11 Floral Giraffe
I guess my question is, if Bachmann said her family was only going to answer the head count, she’s being counted, so what’s the big deal?
It gets people’s attention. It gets her name in the news. Those who don’t research and believe that sound bites get them all the information they need here the conspiracy theories and follow blindly.
| 16 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:11:45am |
I got my second census form in the mail the other day. Not sure if I’ll fill it out, or just send it back with “I already sent one of these in” written across the front.
| 17 |
MrSilverDragon Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:12:06am |
re: #15 MrSilverDragon
Argh, hear, not here. Again caught by one of my own pet peeves.
| 18 |
Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:12:31am |
TPM had a good take on this. For people who claim to want a return to the constitution you’d think they would fill out the census since that’s IN THE CONSTITUTION. For them the constitution is obviously nothing but a fetish.
| 20 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:13:38am |
re: #18 Dreggas
TPM had a good take on this. For people who claim to want a return to the constitution you’d think they would fill out the census since that’s IN THE CONSTITUTION. For them the constitution is obviously nothing but a fetish.
The constitution says nothing about there being a black president in a census year.
| 21 |
charlz Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:13:40am |
re: #11 Floral Giraffe
I guess my question is, if Bachmann said her family was only going to answer the head count, she’s being counted, so what’s the big deal?
Does the Census Bureau count an incomplete return? I don’t know, but it may require the sending of a Census worker to her address for the rest of the info, adding to the cost of the Census.
| 22 |
jamesfirecat Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:14:05am |
re: #18 Dreggas
TPM had a good take on this. For people who claim to want a return to the constitution you’d think they would fill out the census since that’s IN THE CONSTITUTION. For them the constitution is obviously nothing but a fetish.
You should see the 11:00 show the Constitution gets it on with the Magna Carta!
| 23 |
HappyWarrior Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:14:13am |
re: #12 charlz
Don’t know if you intended it or not, but ‘fearmongreling’ is a great neologism!
I can’t take full credit. I’ve seen others use it before. Thanks though.
| 24 |
Mostly sane, most of the time. Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:15:09am |
Actually, I know exactly what they do if you don’t fill out the form completely.
We got the long form last time, and my husband thought it was none of their business, so we filled out what was on the short form and sent it back.
They send someone to your house.
I can’t remember what I did then, but we didn’t get a third visit.
| 25 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:15:09am |
re: #21 charlz
Does the Census Bureau count an incomplete return? I don’t know, but it may require the sending of a Census worker to her address for the rest of the info, adding to the cost of the Census.
Not sure…but wouldn’t it be ironic if Texas got a shitload of funding for special needs people due to the fact that large percentages of them were incapable of answering simple questions like ‘date of birth’…
| 26 |
Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:15:13am |
re: #22 jamesfirecat
Is that like some sort of school-house rock fan-fic?
| 27 |
Four More Tears Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:16:25am |
re: #20 darthstar
The constitution says nothing about there being a black president in a census year.
Didn’t it say he would only be 3/5 the man a white president would?
| 29 |
Four More Tears Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:17:41am |
re: #22 jamesfirecat
You should see the 11:00 show the Constitution gets it on with the Magna Carta!
Heh. Lesbian Bondage Fiasco. (Anyone who saw last night’s Daily Show will get that)
| 30 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:18:01am |
re: #28 badger1970
Only TX?
Sorry…was just using TX as an example. Any area with a large conservative and paranoid population…which reminds me…I need to buy some more aluminum foil futures.
| 31 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:18:24am |
re: #29 JasonA
Heh. Lesbian Bondage Fiasco. (Anyone who saw last night’s Daily Show will get that)
I love that band.
| 32 |
Mad Al-Jaffee Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:19:32am |
As I’ve said before, fill out the form and return it, but use the name Rusty Shackleford.
| 33 |
wrenchwench Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:19:37am |
re: #27 JasonA
Didn’t it say he would only be 3/5 the man a white president would?
But he’s half white, so that would be 1/2 + (3/5 ÷ 2) = Our President
/you do the math
| 34 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:21:02am |
re: #33 wrenchwench
But he’s half white, so that would be 1/2 + (3/5 ÷ 2) = Our President
/you do the math
5/10 + 3/10 = 8/10, so he’s 4/5?
| 35 |
Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:21:28am |
OT, and I know this is obvious but it bears repeating:
“I could give a flying crap about the political process - I’m an entertainer.” Glen Beck
| 36 |
jamesfirecat Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:21:37am |
re: #33 wrenchwench
But he’s half white, so that would be 1/2 + (3/5 ÷ 2) = Our President
/you do the math
Lets see I love to do math…
1/2 of 3/5ths well that’s hard to figure out so lets make 3/5ths into 6/10ths and one half of 6/10ths is 3/10ths. On the other side he’s 10/10th’s so half of that is 5/10ths.
Thus Obama is 4/5th’s of the president a white president would be…
| 37 |
wrenchwench Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:22:37am |
| 38 |
garhighway Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:23:14am |
| 39 |
watching you tiny alien kittens are Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:26:04am |
OT: So where are the news articles about the “National Tea Party Federation” being formed as a third party today? Not that I doubted that they would try to do it, just wondering how serious they are and exactly who is involved.
I’m wondering who they are going to support also, Luap Nor?
They don’t see that if they split the Republican vote they are going to reduce both their own and the Republican chances of gaining more seats in Congress? Maybe we can get Ross Perot and Ralph Nader in on this and have five party election, wouldn’t that be fun?
///idiots
| 40 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:26:35am |
I think I found the poster child for the conservatives who are afraid of filling out the census. They should hire this guy to come to their rallies and tea parties. He’ll be a hit. I can’t wait for the Palin interview on ‘Real Americans’…
| 41 |
RogueOne Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:27:29am |
I know some of you are fairly young but, just so you know, we go through this every census. If you don’t remember what happened during the 2000 or the ‘90 census, you’ll remember this conversation 10 years from now. Also, when this is all finished there will be people protesting that the census under-counted their regions, there will be people saying the census under-counted specific race/nationalities of their regions, and there will be people saying just the opposite.
| 42 |
Aceofwhat? Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:27:47am |
re: #40 darthstar
I think I found the poster child for the conservatives who are afraid of filling out the census. They should hire this guy to come to their rallies and tea parties. He’ll be a hit. I can’t wait for the Palin interview on ‘Real Americans’…
Heh. Even Larry the Cable Guy thinks this dude is a few thrusters short of liftoff…
| 43 |
garhighway Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:28:19am |
re: #41 RogueOne
I know some of you are fairly young but, just so you know, we go through this every census. If you don’t remember what happened during the 2000 or the ‘90 census, you’ll remember this conversation 10 years from now. Also, when this is all finished there will be people protesting that the census under-counted their regions, there will be people saying the census under-counted specific race/nationalities of their regions, and there will be people saying just the opposite.
I don’t recall this kind of black helicopter crap for the prior ones, though.
| 44 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:28:41am |
re: #42 Aceofwhat?
Heh. Even Larry the Cable Guy thinks this dude is a few thrusters short of liftoff…
I should use that as an Avatar, but I don’t want people confusing me with Mandy.
| 45 |
Feline Fearless Leader Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:29:23am |
re: #16 darthstar
I got my second census form in the mail the other day. Not sure if I’ll fill it out, or just send it back with “I already sent one of these in” written across the front.
Instructions in my “to resident” copy said that if you have already responded and sent in your census forms to not send them in again.
Interesting how this resonates with the people complaining about all the money being spent for PSA on the census, and the repetitive mailings (not to mention door-to-door visits) as the government attempts to be thorough.
So far I’ve gotten:
1. “The census is coming” letter
2. Census form mailed in my name
3. “Did you mail in your form” postcard
4. Census form mailed to my address (to resident)
I expect a 2nd postcard at least.
Anyone done the analysis to see if the USPS is more profitable (or less lossy) on census years? ;)
| 46 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:29:43am |
re: #43 garhighway
I don’t recall this kind of black helicopter crap for the prior ones, though.
There were complaints in 1990 & 2000 about the homeless not being counted…but the efforts have been pretty good this year, from what I’ve heard.
| 47 |
RogueOne Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:29:52am |
re: #43 garhighway
I don’t recall this kind of black helicopter crap for the prior ones, though.
I do. It’s been the same reaction every time. The important thing to note is the next time the census rolls around, you’ll remember I was right.//
| 48 |
Aceofwhat? Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:30:28am |
re: #44 darthstar
I should use that as an Avatar, but I don’t want people confusing me with Mandy.
Are you sure? That could be fun…
| 49 |
darthstar Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:31:38am |
re: #48 Aceofwhat?
Are you sure? That could be fun…
I think I’ll use it as my facebook profile pic for a while…
| 50 |
garhighway Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:31:47am |
re: #47 RogueOne
I do. It’s been the same reaction every time. The important thing to note is the next time the census rolls around, you’ll remember I was right.//
Maybe it was too local. I don’t recall seeing anything about it here in NYC back then. Here it WAS about making sure everyone got counted.
| 51 |
RogueOne Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:36:09am |
re: #50 garhighway
Maybe it was too local. I don’t recall seeing anything about it here in NYC back then. Here it WAS about making sure everyone got counted.
I just googled “u.s. census 2000+privacy invasion” and it came back with 114,000 hits in .14 seconds. The same search with 1990 instead of 2000 came back with 162,000 hits.
| 52 |
watching you tiny alien kittens are Thu, Apr 8, 2010 10:46:02am |
re: #44 darthstar
Give it a friggin rest already, I’m sick of the petty sniping unconvincingly disguised as “humor.”
| 53 |
SpaceJesus Thu, Apr 8, 2010 11:03:58am |
i keep getting these angry looking letters telling me im required by law to fill this census thing out, but i have better things to do. like comment on the internet about it.
| 54 |
Vicious Babushka Thu, Apr 8, 2010 11:25:07am |
| 55 |
lawhawk Thu, Apr 8, 2010 11:44:29am |
re: #50 garhighway
Yes - in NYC they wanted to make sure that they got the count down to every last homeless person because the City had been complaining for decades that they’ve been undercounted by the census takers, depriving the City of representation in Congress. The situation may be a bit better this go around, but conspiracies about the census aren’t exactly new. In fact, scams relating to the census aren’t new either.
| 56 |
Obdicut Thu, Apr 8, 2010 11:45:13am |
re: #55 lawhawk
What do you feel about using a more modern sampling method rather than attempts at direct head count?
| 57 |
SanFranciscoZionist Thu, Apr 8, 2010 12:45:32pm |
re: #14 badger1970
The only thing I question about the form is how many people will need to fill out all 13 columns (or need more) for the number of people living at that residence.
Otherwise, simple process, postage paid.
The Duggars will need more. I guess you can ask for an extra form?
| 58 |
SanFranciscoZionist Thu, Apr 8, 2010 12:48:44pm |
re: #21 charlz
Does the Census Bureau count an incomplete return? I don’t know, but it may require the sending of a Census worker to her address for the rest of the info, adding to the cost of the Census.
I hope this doesn’t turn out to be the same Census worker who had to talk to Pam Geller. There’s a limit to what a person ought to have to put up with for fifteen bucks an hour.
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