THE CENSUS...SENSELESS OR SENSIBLE?

(The following was published in the Newsleader on April 8, 2010)

Is the census senseless or sensible? Is there a consensus? Speaking of that, is the opposite of consensus procensus??? But I digress. In the late 1700s our founders felt the need to include in our Constitution the requirement that every ten years we count ourselves. That seems to be a very reasonable requirement. At that time we didn't have the technology that exists today. It was important that we knew exactly how many of us there were and to keep a running tally as we grew. Of course, as with all things government, the devil is in the details.

Our Government today is not content with just knowing how many of us are here, no they want a lot more information. For example what is our national origin? What is our race? How much money do we make? Are we married or are we living in sin? Many more details are being required as we mature and grow from our humble beginnings. It is for you to decide how much information you are willing to give to the government.

Ostensibly they tell us that this is the way they decide how to divvy up the money that we send them each year. It is also how they decide how many Congressional Districts each state has which of course decides how many Representatives each state will have in the Congress. So far so good. Now, however, this is where it starts to get a little sticky.

According to today's interpretation of the Constitutional requirement of a census, everyone who lives in the United States must be counted. That includes prisoners in our jails. That includes homeless people who live on the streets or in homeless shelters. It also, according to the census officials, includes illegal aliens. In other words, people who don't even belong here must be counted along with legitimate citizens. Aside from just being ridiculous, it also has far more serious ramifications. I read a recent report that stated that just in the state of California, if illegals were not included in the census count, California would lose thirty Congressional Districts. What that means, dear friends, is that laws are being passed in our Congress with the help of at least thirty more Californians than should be the case. That means that states like, for example, Minnesota, are being controlled by Californians. Pretty scary, huh? It is not just Minnesota, it is all states. I believe if illegal residents want representation, let them return to their legitimate home for that representation.

I don't know about you but I for one don't like the fact that legislation concerning the entire country is affected in such a big way by Representatives who shouldn't even be in Congress. When one looks at the condition of California, it doesn't take much imagination to conclude what their Representatives are doing to the rest of the country. Among others California has inflicted people like Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi on us. Is it necessary to go any further?

I am, however, pro census. I understand the need that we be counted. At the same time, though, I am not in favor of counting illegals. They are not Americans. When I say that we should be counted, I mean Americans. Illegal aliens are not a part of we.

Today I am mailing back my census form. My government has already spent untold millions of dollars advertising this requirement and has already far exceeded their budget. This is just the beginning of enforcement of the rules. Who knows how much this is going to cost in the end. Wouldn't it be great if we could just trust the people we elect? Wouldn't it be great if we could just trust the system? Alas, such is not the case and is not likely to be any time soon.

Ron Scarbro March 21, 2010