2010 United States Census

I received this letter in the mail today from the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau:

Dear Resident,

About one week from now, you will receive a 2010 Census form in the mail. When you receive your form, please fill it out and mail it in promptly.

Your response is important. Results from the 2010 Census will be used to help each community get its fair share of government funds for highways, schools, health facilities, and many other programs you and your neighbors need. Without a complete, accurate census, your community may not receive its fair share.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Director, U.S. Census Bureau

Go to 2010census.gov for help completing your 2010 Census form when it arrives.

This will be the first time that I have personally participated in the official census mandated by the Constitution of the United States (Article I, Section II). To my initial understanding of the purpose of the census is to determine the population of the country. I decided to do some research and find out if there is anything more to it.

From 2010census.gov under the section Why It's Important it says, "...Census information affects the numbers of seats your state occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives...an accurate count of residents can [help you and] for your community. Better infrastructure. More services." From everything that I have researched the information the government needs is the total amount of people living in my home at a certain date. That sounds like a one question survey, but I learned that the census form is ten questions. "What could the other questions be?" I asked myself. I found them on the same website with a description of why they ask that particular question.

1. How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
2. Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1?
3. Is this a house, apartment, or mobile home?
4. What is your telephone number? We may call you if we don't understand your answer?
5. Please provide information for each person living here. What is Person 1's name?
6. What is Person 1's sex?
7. What is Person 1's age and what is Person 1's date of birth?
8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?
9. What is Person 1's race?
10. Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?

The reasons why they ask these questions doesn't really convince me that they need to be asked in the first place. The government has my information already...all they need to do is punch in my social security number and wahla! it's there. I will be answering the first question and mail it in. If they call me because they "don't understand my answer" I will ask how did you get my phone number since I didn't include it on the form and followed by what part of 4 persons living in my house on April 1, 2010 don't you understand? If they proceed to press for answers on the remaining questions I will explain that there is no place in the constitution for me to give that information...only the number of people living in my house. Thanks, buh bye.