Think the Census Is Hinky? Here’s One Of the Reasons Why

[andymays]

http://bigjournalism.com/sahiller/2010/06/01/think-the-census-is-hinky-heres-one-of-the-reasons-why/

Excerpt:

The article makes good points, but leaves off one critical aspect in its call for leadership in Congress to fix the problem because the answer to their question was addressed back in October and November 2009. Let’s review, very briefly. The LA Times states:

Worse yet, to the extent that the census accurately counts illegal immigrants, the greater the disproportionate representation accruing to states with large illegal communities, which cannot vote. Estimates vary, but a 2007 study by the Connecticut Data Center found that the 2010 census may affect the allocation of a dozen congressional seats on the basis of some states’ illegal immigrant populations.

The present potential for disaster, for severe damage to the principles of democratic representation and for the future of the republic itself should be a paramount concern for all Americans. The good news is that the Constitution leaves the manner of conducting the census, and the apportionment of the House, up to Congress. Passing a census reform law should be a relatively simple fix, if we have the leadership and the will to do so.

[kenwoodall2]

We need to count ALL illegals- otherwise, where would we know where to send the INS and Border Patrol? The census is not about individual paychecks- it is about logistics and mostly for businesses to know the demograohics. The census helps corporate, local, and frachise businesses much more than it benefits illegals, because illegals buy stuff too. That's just the fact.

[cj's dad]

A new definition for "illegal immigrants:

Unregistered Democrats !!

[Ocala Mike]

I'm working for the Census Bureau now here in the Sunshine State as a clerk. The skewing of the count by including illegal immigrants pales in comparison to the skewing of the count by improperly counting "snowbirds" on the census day of 4/1/2010 who have what is known as a "usual home elsewhere." People will inevitably, in some cases, be counted twice and in other cases not be counted at all. I guess the hope is that the errors will offset each other, but in a state like Florida which has a huge seasonal population shift, a census date change to 1/1 would probably make a substantial difference in the count, as would a census date change to 7/1.

In my opinion, the census of 2020 or, perhaps, 2030 will be a "virtual" census, rather than a headcount. There are modern sampling techniques in this day and age of sophisticated marketing methods that would allow one to come up with just as accurate a count as the byzantine door-to-door methods that are currently employed. Just think of the tv ratings process; they don't have to ask EVERYONE what they're watching to find out how many are tuned in to a given program.


Ocala Mike

[kenwoodall2]

Makes you wish everybody had a chip implant, eh?