# Census questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 14, 2000, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886 "2000-03-14T03:18:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/21 "2000-03-15T02:14:00Z")
I looked & I got an 8 question one. Answered them all. I never could figure out where it says,‘How many poeple are living here on April 1st,2000?’ How would I know? Its not APril yet, duh. ---
**Author:** ![Nanno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nanno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanno)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/22 "2000-03-15T02:41:00Z")
Is that whats in that envelope? Hey I am here what else do they need to know? Count me in! ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/23 "2000-03-15T05:31:00Z")
Geez, Max, why don’t you go muck about [www.census.gov](http://www.census.gov) and see what they have to say about this year’s census? And haven’t you been watching the recent television commercials about the census? The census helps the govenment determine funding for everything from highways and school districts to federally funded day-care and congressional seats. Will spending a half hour answering a bunch of questions really kill you? But wait - you’re one of the types that doesn’t vote either, right? ---
**Author:** ![aseymayo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/24 "2000-03-15T08:50:00Z")
I feel the same way you do, **max**. We got the long form in 1980 and I objected to answering what I considered intrusive questions - especially because I didn’t believe the government could guarantee the security of the information. My husband is one of those law-abiding types, though, and he filled it out. I was hoping to get the short form this year, but it arrived today and it’s the long one. Maybe they liked the way Mr. Mayo answered last time. I still object, but my husband pointed out we’d be helping future genealogists. (He’s been looking up ancestors and sometimes finds census records for them). I feel a bit better about it, putting it in an historical perspective. ---
**Author:** ![aseymayo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/25 "2000-03-15T08:54:00Z")
Um, 1990, not 80. I think. What year is this again? ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/26 "2000-03-15T09:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by aseymayo: > **What year is this again?** 1. * * * _Eschew Obfuscation_ ---
**Author:** ![EnigmaOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EnigmaOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnigmaOne)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/27 "2000-03-15T12:06:00Z")
{{{Race: Human Yes that’s what I’ve written.}}}—Melin Thanks for dropping that out there Melin. That’s one of my favorite responses that official types have problems with. You can see their lips stop moving when they read that field. “Oh. You mean you wanted me to tell you my ethnicity? Then you should have asked me **that** …you already have your answer.” When the forms are phrased just so, you can write in something like “10Km run” or “100-yard dash” without committing perjury. That’s usually good for a phone call or two. BTW: Human is on my form too–filled it out yesterday after posting and dropped it in the mail. * * * – **Kalél** _Common ¢ for all ages…_ “Well, there was that thing with the Cheese-Wiz…but I’m feeling **much** better now!” – John Astin, Night Court “If ignorance is bliss, you must be orgasmic.” ---
**Author:** ![TNTruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@TNTruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNTruth)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/28 "2000-03-15T13:13:00Z")
Well, we got the long form yesterday, and filled it all out. Race & ethnicity: Human. We answered all the questions about age, sex, place of birth, citizenship, etc. But on all the questions about income, education, and home ownership, we put N.O.Y.B. I let my husband be Person #1, wallflower that I am. I’ll let y’all know if he gets arrested. ---
**Author:** ![Doctordec](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Doctordec](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctordec)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/29 "2000-03-15T14:27:00Z")
> [@](#): > > and are protected by law. Yeah, and Hitler protected information by law too. I’m not sending it in. I don’t think they’ll jail me for refusing to pay the 100 bucks either. The ONLY reason to ask about race, religion or income is to discriminate against one group or another. * * * “Everybody smokes in hell” ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/30 "2000-03-15T15:14:00Z")
> [@](#): > > If you took part in any remotely radical political movements back in school, the FBI already has a file on you (I know! I was taped attending an Earth First! rally back in the day!). About 10 years ago, I went to observe a demonstration that would be considered extremely radical. Some suit was going around copying down license plate numbers from all the cars in the parking area. So, jokes about black helicopters aside; I’m sure someone has a file on me somewhere. It’s scary to think about just how interested the government is in what should be private and personal areas. I think that uneasiness is what is behind much of the census form protests. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/31 "2000-03-15T22:25:00Z")
::test post:: Just ignore little ol’ me. And if you see a bunch of multiposts above, please ignore them, too. I’ll clean them up. * * * [Change Your Password, Please](http://204.95.48.199/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ubbmisc.cgi?action=getannounce&ForumNumber=3&Start=2451545.99&End=2451911&Session=2451598.1854) and don’t use HTML, as it has been disabled, but you can learn about superscripts [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000795.html) ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/32 "2000-03-15T22:41:00Z")
OK… for the record, sandyr, I DO vote. And believe it or not, I’m not some guy living in the Montana countryside. And I’ve seen the commercials. That DOESN’T mean I can’t be perturbed about this (IMHO) invasion of privacy. I am amazed at how many people I know have refused to fill this thing out. Many feel the same way I do. And everyone comes up with a different way of dealing with it. “human” for race, “NOYB” for financial questions, leaving “name” blank. Maybe I’ll do the same thing. Fill out the information that I am comfortable with, but not fill out those things that I’m not comfortable with… Or better yet! I’ll get a job with Census 2000… open up the long forms, take down the names and addresses of the very wealthy respondants… check to see what time they usually leave for work, (and where everyone else in the house will be during the day), and rob them blind! ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2000, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/33 "2000-03-15T22:54:00Z")
This thread has moved far enough afield from the original factual question contained in the OP that I’m going to move it to Great Debates. Besides, someone else asked the question in this forum, and I’m sure someone can answer it factually. ## Hey **Gaudere**! Multi-posts pre-removed by **manhattan** [Change Your Password, Please](http://204.95.48.199/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ubbmisc.cgi?action=getannounce&ForumNumber=3&Start=2451545.99&End=2451911&Session=2451598.1854) and don’t use HTML, as it has been disabled, but you can learn about superscripts [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000795.html) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/34 "2000-03-16T01:48:00Z")
Let me see if I can just link to a couple other threads where I’ve answered some of these questions: [one in the Pit](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000756.html)and [another in GQ](http://boards.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/006120.html). I recommend the GQ thread in particular. I don’t know if this will change your mind about anything, Max, but I think I’ve already done the best I can. Oh yeah - bizerta asked: “Now that I have a daughter in college in another state, why is she counted at her college and not at her home?” The answer is that that’s where she probably will be in April, when an enumerator will come to her college, and the Census goes by actual location, rather than legal residence. It’s enough of a challenge to try to count everyone where they _actually_ are, let alone try to deal with the complexities of what a host of state laws have to say about where someone _technically_ lives. * * * Enough of voting for the _lesser_ of evils - vote Cthulhu 2000! ---
**Author:** ![Freedomx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4af34b/32.png) [@Freedomx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freedomx)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/35 "2000-03-16T02:55:00Z")
[![](http://www.drudgereport.com/siren.gif) ](http://www.drudgereport.com/siren.gif) **[www.DRUDGEREPORT.com](http://www.DRUDGEREPORT.com)** > [@](#): > > CENSUS BREAKDOWN: CITIZENS TELL SAM TO SHOVE IT OVER PROBING QUESTIONS; WILL PAY FINE That is the front page of the Drudge Report right now. ---
**Author:** ![LucyVanPelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LucyVanPelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyVanPelt)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/36 "2000-03-16T04:47:00Z")
OK I understand that they use the information to determine what communities get what funding. But how does my relationship with the other adult in the house effect this? OK they have a high number of married couples give them new roads but that area has just a bunch of couples shacking up forget them. I would think that 2 adults is all that really matters. Then for the children does it make a difference if they are my natural-born , stepchild, or adopted child? Don’t we need the same number of schools, parks and so forth no matter how they got here. I know I know about the names helping genealogy records down the road when they make it public but at this point my record is on the Family Tree Maker disc so I dont think that it matters to put it down here. So I am filling it out as name : Number 1 Female Number 1 Male and so forth. Relationship: Soulmate still thinking on the children. Race: We are still debating this one. Will I have to pay a fine? I don’t know I am filling it out and returning it and it is accurate, just not as detailed as they would like. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2000, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/37 "2000-03-17T06:33:00Z")
They want to count us? Fine. But it’s none of their damn business what kind of car I drive, who I work for, what my income is, and when I leave for work. Frankly, I’m surprised so many people are obediently going to answer questions that are no one else’s business. Hell, my own family doesn’t know my income, I’m sure as hell not revealing it to some temporary government worker. Besides, the IRS will get that info on April 17. Screw it, I’ll pay the $100. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/38 "2000-03-16T19:10:00Z")
MAX says: > [@](#): > > And believe it or not, I’m not some guy living in the Montana countryside. I can tell this, because is you were some guy living in the Montana countryside, you’d fill out your census form to try to help us get back the congressional seat we (like Kentucky) lost in 1980 due to people refusing to participate in the census. * * * Jodi _Fiat Justitia_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/39 "2000-03-16T19:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by sandyr: > \*\*Geez, Max, why don’t you go muck about [www.census.gov](http://www.census.gov) and see what they have to say about this year’s census? > > And haven’t you been watching the recent television commercials about the census? > > The census helps the govenment determine funding for everything from highways and school districts to federally funded day-care and congressional seats. > > Will spending a half hour answering a bunch of questions really kill you? > > But wait - you’re one of the types that doesn’t vote either, right?\*\* So what you’re saying is that since Max doesn’t share your views, he must be ignorant? Such a mature attitude! As far as the fine goes, just how does it work? If no one from a household answers, does everyone get charged $100? It seems to me that if I send in an incomplete census, that would be more likely to cause a problem than just ignoring it, and that seems ridiculous to me. I understand that the government has a legitimate need for this information, but it’s one thing for them to ask for it, and another to coerce the information out of people. I think that if they dropped this fine stuff, pretty much the same number of people would answer it, and people wouln’t be so annoyed about it. ---
**Author:** ![LucyVanPelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c6cbf5/32.png) [@LucyVanPelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyVanPelt)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2000, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886/40 "2000-03-17T01:00:00Z")
> [@](#): > > When, and why would a census worker come to your door? The answer according to the United States Census Bureau is simple. “There are only two reasons that a census worker will come to your door. If you have not returned a census form to the Bureau, or if your neighbor has not turned in a census form.” It is troubling that the U.S. Census would conduct neighborhood checks to make sure that everyone is filling out their forms. You are not required to give any information about your neighbors to a census worker if they come to your door and your neighbor is not required to disclose information about your family. Great get the neighbors to keep tabs on us got to love it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-questions/17886.md?page=3)