Posted by Marian_in_CA on 3/22/10 8:07pm
Msg #328468

Oh, good gravy --- ANOTHER letter from the Census?

Okay... first we get a latter saying to expect the Census form.... and a week later, we get the Census form, and obligingly, send it right back.

And today?

"Dear Resident,

A few days ago, you should have received a request to participate in the 2010 Census...."


I mean, it's being drilled in to us. They even told us, in church, to make sure we send back the form. There are signs everywhere... it's on the radio, TV even internet ads.

At what point can I stop crying about this?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/22/10 8:07pm
Msg #328469

I got the same three things!!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply by jba/fl on 3/22/10 8:14pm
Msg #328470

Got the first letter, got the form, but not the new letter. IMHO - that letter should come about April 1st.

Seriously, how can you fill it out when the form says, over and over, "on April 1, 2010...." How do I know who will even be alive in the future? Are we to assume that the future will be as we answer today?

Reply by CopperheadVA on 3/22/10 8:24pm
Msg #328472

Well, the 3rd one was a post card, so I guess they saved a few cents on the postage, if they even have to pay postage.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/22/10 8:27pm
Msg #328473

Mine was a full on letter in English and Spanish n/m

Reply by mtnotary on 3/22/10 8:54pm
Msg #328474

I got my postcard today and it reminded me to fill out the Census, which I planned on doing April 1st. Am I missing the boat. Did I read the Census wrong? Aren't we supposed to do that on April 1st.
Its funny my son was asking me just yesterday when does he need to fill it out. I told him April 1st. He said ok as this was his first Census on his own and didn't want to blow it.
Now I am second guessing myself.
It is April 1st...right?

Reply by jba/fl on 3/22/10 9:05pm
Msg #328476

MT: You read yours the same as I read mine

It appears there are many who can't read or don't want to read. Or their comprehension skills are not up to par.

Now we know who is really taking those $50 jobs.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/23/10 9:08am
Msg #328503

I may have read it wrong

I thought it was "complete as soon as possible" and "return by April 1"...or someone would be knocking on your door...

I completed mine immediately and sent it in - got one advance letter...have not received anything further.

Reply by Robert/FL on 3/23/10 1:42pm
Msg #328564

But they ask, "How many are living in your home on 4/1?"

How are we really supposed to know without a doubt how many people will be living in our homes on 4/1?

So how can we truly answer the Census truthfully?

I think their main concern is that no one gets counted twice... of course with the 300 million Americans there is bound to be some that move between the time they fill out their census and the time the results are tabulated, but they want to at least be sure they have an accurate population count.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/23/10 1:47pm
Msg #328566

Barring death...I can answer that truthfully.. n/m

Reply by MW/VA on 3/22/10 8:18pm
Msg #328471

Same here--my thought "what a complete waste of money"! n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 3/22/10 9:27pm
Msg #328477

What do you expect from this spendaholic government? n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/22/10 10:41pm
Msg #328487

Anytime is fine. A letter is a lot cheaper than a visiting

Census Taker.

Look at the Big Map - millions upon millions of people - many transient, forclosed upon and gone, and on and on.

To get the most accurate count of people, and collection of demographic and housing data in order to prioritize our National Resources, advertising works. At least it works with products.

So maybe take a breath, ignore the reminders if you've complied with the Constitutional responsibility of the Citizenry to report accurately, and in a timely manner, the call for the Census. And, I would hope that those who are considering lying-to-comply by mis-representations -that the Tea Party would encourage, reconsider. Census tracts are used clear down to the micro-neighborhood level for things like Day Care, for instance.

The Room Monitors will probably interject, or may have already, but think about the advertising campaign for the Census, versus the Viagra ads. I'm pretty sick of those, too.

Reply by Prosperity on 3/23/10 6:04am
Msg #328490

I've received ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

Was expecting something by now, but nothing. My development is fairly new and I'm wondering if the Census even has us on their radar......

Reply by Laura_V on 3/23/10 9:01am
Msg #328499

Re: I've received ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

Hi, Prosperity

From the things I am hearing, either they missed adding your development when they did address work last year or they plan to go to your area in person.

Just a couple of guesses, though.

Reply by Laura_V on 3/23/10 8:59am
Msg #328498

Susie is right

A semi-retired guy here in town has been was a group leader last census. (He says he has done this a few times.)

He says the first letter is to see if the mail kicks it back as undeliverable. Then they know the form will probably not come back and they need to send a person to the address to see if the house burnt down, turned into a apt building, whatever.

Susie is very right about the importance of being direct with form answers. Tax allocations are made based on those answers. Yes, it is racist, sexist, etc. Welcome to the US Federal government. But if a large group of people does not let Census know it exists, fewer tax funds are allocated to the people in that area.

And Susie is right about the very high expense of conducting a census every year. I heard that this year it costs $1,400 per person to count as close to every person in the US.


My form is sitting in my car. I really must get it out today. I heard that if I do not mail it by April 1, someone will knock on my door. I'm too busy for that. And we all pay enough taxes and more.


Thanks again, Susie!

Reply by SueW/Tn on 3/23/10 9:02am
Msg #328500

Sick of the ED ads too but I don't pay for them n/m

Reply by C. Wayne Moore on 3/23/10 10:02am
Msg #328512

Have to wait until April 1st to complete form. :-)

They want to know how many people were living in the house on April 1, 2010. Right now only two but you never know if one of the kids or grand kids might move back in. :-) So to be accurate we will wait to complete.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/23/10 10:18am
Msg #328515

But...but...but...

4/1 is only a week away...even if the "kids move back in" it's not established residency...

I sent mine back in the day after I got it - the only thing that will change my census form is if my husband or I pass away before 4/1 (good grief, I hope not!!)...cuz I can guarantee my kids and grandkids, or anyone else, are NOT moving in with us...

Reply by C. Wayne Moore on 3/23/10 10:24am
Msg #328519

Never say Never! Seldom if Ever is ok! n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/23/10 10:35am
Msg #328528

I can say never in this case...

My kids and grandchildren are all in CT...and my house is barely big enough for my husband and I (we've downsized considerably)...believe me...there are dynamics in place where I can state, without a doubt, that my children and grandchildren will NEVER move in with us...visit, yes....move in? Nope...

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 3/23/10 1:40pm
Msg #328562

Okay...I got my postcard today...and it says, in part

"If you have already provided your census information, please accept our sincere thanks. There is no need to provide your answers again." Goes on to say if the info hasn't been provided yet please provide it asap.

So, I'm going to take this to mean that we do NOT have to wait til 4/1/2010 to complete and return the form.

I agree...more money spent....but fill them out and return them, people, or it will cost more to have one of the canvassers knock on your door.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 3/24/10 11:38am
Msg #328731

Every 1% improved response saves taxpayers $85m. n/m