Sit down and be counted
Published 4:03 pm Wednesday, March 3, 2010
In honor of the Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints, and the population-depleted city of New Orleans, the upcoming national head count has been officially named the “2010 ‘Who Dat?’ Census.”
Just joshing. Call off the NFL lawyers. Though they count too, census-wise.
We all count. So we all must be counted. And because a census every 10 years is required by federal law, everyone but registered anarchists can support this important undertaking. And by support, we mean fill out the form and send it in. If the race question offends you, follow your conscience. Just don’t let it keep you from returning the survey.
Unlike in 2000, when 1 in 6 households received a long survey asking for detailed socioeconomic information, the 2010 questionnaire is a short one. It asks the basics — name, relationship, gender, age, race, and whether you own or rent your home. It will arrive in the mail in mid-March.
Sadly, for a civilized society, a January Pew Center poll revealed that nearly 1 in 5 people say they may not participate, citing mostly a lack of interest, but also a broader distrust of government. Disinterest? Come on, census. Entertain us!
One great thing about a census is that everyone is counted, regardless of what they believe.
As for the distrustful, they might want to remind themselves that the Founding Fathers, the authors of the United States Constitution, mandated a census be taken every 10 years of “all inhabitants” of the country.
The Pew poll also found that 46 percent of people incorrectly believe that the law does not require participation. Another 23 percent weren’t certain. (Federal law carries a fine of up to $5,000 for failure to respond, although the Census Bureau rarely enforces it.)
So, yes, the public service announcements running on TV are imperative.
Most importantly, census data is used to determine the new number of representatives to which each state is entitled. Depending on population shifts, states could gain or lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Analysts say states that experienced record growth before the recession — including Washington — stand to add one seat each.
But all those new residents have to be counted in order for that to happen.
Just think: Another representative we can elect and then get mad at. Democracy!
The data is also used to determine how more than $3 trillion in federal funds are awarded to local, state and tribal governments in the next 10 years.
Take the time to sit down and be counted. It’s the American thing to do.
