The Census~ March 5, 2010

The article I chose to write on today comes from the web site/ news paper called Slate. This particular article that sounded interesting enough to write on is entitled “Count Me Out” by Ted Rose. In this particular article, the author writes on if you can really get in trouble for not filling out the Census. On the form it clearly states that if you do not fill it out and return it, then you can face charges and maybe even jail time. However, there is no law that clearly states that if you do not fill out the census then you will be punished. The Census Bureau does not prosecute those who do not participate or those who fill it out with false statements. However there is a benefit to filling out the census and to do it correctly. When the government gets the numbers of people living in a particular area, they can grant that area more money to create more streets if it is necessary for the town to function. The author then supports this with evidence from a case in 1960 where a man refused to answer the extended questionnaire about the economic standing of his house hold. He argued that the government does not need to know this information and it is an invasion of his privacy. However at the end of the trial, the judge found him guilty and charged $100 and a 60 day prison sentence. Though everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I do not understand why any one would not fill out the Census. At tops the questionnaire would take one family member fifteen minutes to complete, it does not cost them anything, not even postage, and it has the potential to better the communities in which they live in.

That's all for now!
~Ali