Footwedge wrote:
majorspark wrote:
LJ wrote:
Footwedge wrote:
And I applaud the decision to be less invasive. Look, I'm not a pro big government guy myself. And I think the race quesstion is uncalled for. But the constitution calls for an accurate headcount for legislative purposes.
We actually agree on something here. The cries about the constitution just calling for a head count are just plain not true, it calls for enumeration with the parameters set by congress.
Enumerate means to count and list. What they are counting and listing is determined by congress.
The context in the constitution for enumeration is in regards to determining state representation in congress and the electoral college.
I am curios to know what level of counting and listing by congress would you see as intrusive?
For instance: Do you use tobacco products? How many drinks do you have a day? What is your height and weight? Do you engage in promiscuous sexual activity? Do you own firearms? What is the make and model of your vehicle?
Any of these questions and more could be asked of the federal government to determine the allocation of their funds.
But those type of questions are not being asked. The census is for accurate headcounting purposes. The constitution wants an accurate headcount of people...not their vices or lifestyle.
I know that. My point was that in the context of the constitution the need for "headcounting" would be for the puposes of establishing state representation and the electoral college. And prior to the Civil War race would have been needed (3/5 rule).
I would disagree with any questions beyond those needed for this purpose. Hence today the race questions. Some people are telling others to get their tin foil hats off because they don't like all the questions. We are all different, what does not bother you and me may bother someone else.
With the Federal government's increasing expansion into the health care arena those question are not as far fetched today. Oh and by the way I filled out my census and answered all the questions. No federal employee is going to make a buck knocking on my door.
