# I pit Obama and what he is doing with the census **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 11, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310 "2009-02-11T02:07:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/21 "2009-02-11T03:10:59Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > The Commerce department generally has a reputation for honesty and independance. Is that true? I thought the Commerce department had a reputation of being a spot used for political patronage where the President’s appointees promote various business interests in exchange for campaign donations. Did you mean the Census Bureau specifically? > [@smiling bandit](#): > > But thre’s simply no reason at all for Obama to have anything to do with this, any more than if he suddenly announced that the White House was going to oversee tax returns this year. It injects politics into a carefully balanced situation and can do no good. Suppose for a moment that there are problems with the census–problems that need serious attention. Isn’t it the role of the President to fix problems in the executive branch? Why is it safe to assume that there is no legitimate reason for White House involvement? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/22 "2009-02-11T03:11:47Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > I suppose that’s an argument, but it’s a bad one. The Commerce department generally has a reputation for honesty and independance. Ah. I assumed that there was some controversy that motivated the change. Fair enough, then, it does seem a strange development. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/23 "2009-02-11T03:16:19Z")
**Clothahump** , dude, you’re gonna have to pace yourself. If you get this worked up over a bureaucratic thing like this in the 1st month of Obama’s term, you’re gonna be in bad shape in four or maybe even eight years. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/24 "2009-02-11T03:20:54Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > **Clothahump** , dude, you’re gonna have to pace yourself. If you get this worked up over a bureaucratic thing like this in the 1st month of Obama’s term, you’re gonna be in bad shape in four or maybe even eight years. Or twelve or sixteen – 'cause Obama is going to deal with that pesky two term issue. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/25 "2009-02-11T03:27:05Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Suppose for a moment that there are problems with the census–problems that need serious attention. Suppose – as is actually the case – that there are no problems. Why is this suddenly being fooled with? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/26 "2009-02-11T03:29:34Z")
> [@furt](#): > > Suppose – as is actually the case – that there are no problems. Why is this suddenly being fooled with? Well, if the propriety of Obama’s involvement turns on the existence of problems with the census, don’t you think it would be important to establish that fact one way or the other before decrying his involvement? ETA: > [@](#): > > Uh oh. The Field Data Collection Automation (FDCA) PDAs that are supposed to replace the traditional pen and paper method used by census-takers are not working properly. Thus, the census “dress rehearsal” this spring has been delayed by a month as the agency scurries to come up with backup plans. The FDCA program that was meant to save taxpayers $1 billion now has these delays sending the cost $600 million to as much as $2 billion. > > Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, testified at the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the status of the 2010 Census. > > Gutierrez stated: “We have discovered serious problems with the FDCA program and I am personally involved in bringing key issues to the surface and developing a way forward. In short, the current situation is unacceptable.” > > The GAO published a report on these Census problems and made an announcement designating the 2010 Census Project as “High Risk”. The GAO warned the Census bureau last year about slow and inconsistent data transmission from last year’s field testing. Guess they should have heeded that warning, right? [Cite](http://freegovinfo.info/node/1697) ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/27 "2009-02-11T03:34:15Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The audacity of this blatant attempt to take over the census so that it can be manipulated in secrecy is worse than anything the libs ever claimed Bush did. You’re comparing three months to **eight years**?! :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/28 "2009-02-11T04:09:59Z")
So, anyone know what right-wing site \*\*Clothahumpster \*\*took these paranoid ramblings from? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/29 "2009-02-11T04:11:03Z")
Just speculating into the void, here…but perhaps it is a gesture towards more transparency as a means of generating more trust. There is a sense abroad that minorities are underrepresented census-wise. I have no idea, but its “out there”. I suspect that Obama believes that the census is almost certainly kosher in its intentions…that is, it is not deliberately manipulated by the Forces of Darkness to their ends. But he cannot help but be mindful that if such manipulation were possible and concealable…it would be very much to the advantage of those self-same FoD. So, he takes responsibility, the accountability is his. He’s going to say “I have watched this carefully. I can say to you as a minority person that every fair effort has been made, this census is as fair and accurate as can be reasonably expected.” Building trust in government amongst those most inclined to mistrust government is good civics. If that’s what he’s up to. Yer guess, good as mine. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/30 "2009-02-11T04:20:06Z")
You people will be laughing out the other sides of your mouths when the next census comes back 80% black, 19% white, 1% other. Then where will you be, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/31 "2009-02-11T04:22:55Z")
To be perfectly fair, had GeeDubya made this move with exactly the same stated intentions, my first thought would have been “What the hell is Dick Cheney up to now?” But since the shoe is on the other hand, we should ask ourselves “Could this move be interpreted in a negative light by ultra-conservative reactionary paranoid wingnuts? And more importantly, why are these shoes on my hands?” ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/32 "2009-02-11T04:29:20Z")
As of April of 2008, the 2010 census was in serious trouble. (Thanks Humpy for raising my awareness of this issue.) Absent evidence that these problems have been fixed, increased involvement from the man ultimately in charge of making the census run properly seems warranted. That said, I think a healthy amount of skepticism and demands for transparency are warranted, given the role the census plays in our political process. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/33 "2009-02-11T04:29:41Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Isn’t the Census just a database of statistics? Useful and constantly accessed statistics, but not really anything to get too excitable about, I would’ve thought. It is the basis for apportionment of House districts and state legislative districts, and one basis for the allocation of federal and state aid to cities and counties. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/34 "2009-02-11T04:34:07Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > So, anyone know what right-wing site \*\*Clothahumpster \*\*took these paranoid ramblings from? The OP link is from what appears to be [a site for federal agencies and employees.](http://www.govexec.com/) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/35 "2009-02-11T04:41:08Z")
> [@Rhubarb](#): > > … why are these shoes on my hands?" Digital shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/36 "2009-02-11T04:45:20Z")
I think I’ve got it…After three beers and sinus medication, I’m starting to think a bit like **Clothahump**. Why indeed would Obama want control over the census? Think about it… Why would he want information about the state of the population going back for years and years… There’s only one answer here people: Reparations! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/37 "2009-02-11T04:45:25Z")
Yeah, luci, that’s better than what I had. I think you’ve put your finger on the soul of the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/38 "2009-02-11T05:12:44Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > One of the claims is that he can use this power to [do a sort of unoverseeable gerrymandering,](http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/have-they-no-shame-a-power-grab-at-the-census/) as far as I can tell. Yes, this plan is so much more evil than filling up the Justice Department Division of Civil Rights with Republican political hacks with law degrees from out of the backs of magazines, and setting them to work rubber-stamping the redistricting plans of Republican state legislatures. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/39 "2009-02-11T05:16:48Z")
For those asking why Republicans think this is such a big deal, the link in my first post here should be educational. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310/40 "2009-02-11T05:19:00Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The audacity of this blatant attempt to take over the census so that it can be manipulated in secrecy is worse than anything the libs ever claimed Bush did. If we’re “libs”, that makes you guys “cons”. Somehow, that seems appropriate. I’m so freakin’ tired of “liberal” somehow being a dirty word. Here’s a dirty word for you: FUCK YOU. Get past your partisan politics and get back to rebuilding America. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-obama-and-what-he-is-doing-with-the-census/485310.md?page=3)