By Brice F. Marsh, CPF, Certified Professional Facilitator, (retired)
We’re all here in America …we need to be counted!
…Or do we? … If so, Why?
“Why Census?
Why do we need to be counted every ten years? What’s the purpose for me to answer a bunch of personal questions about me and my family and mail it in to the Census Bureau? What’ll they do with it, anyway?”
In order to properly apportion seats in Congress, an accurate count of US citizens is necessary. Also, to assess the infrastructure, education, and the social needs to support our large cities, small towns and rural areas alike, we must know the total headcount of those residing within our borders.
Billions of dollars in federal funds are apportioned to communities for schools, roads, hospitals, and other public services. Results from the 2020 Census will also help determine the number of seats each state has in Congress. (blog)*
School lunches, plans for highways, support for firefighters and families in need are all affected by your census results.
According to author Andrew Whitley, in his book “The Sum of the People” … “the Census Bureau is spending $48/person to get a good count. There is $1.5 trillion in federal money to be apportioned to state and local governments based on census data. It’s the baseline for every other statistical survey the government conducts. It plays an important part in framing the discussion about who we are as a nation.”
The honorable Chris Green, Probate Judge of Blount County, Alabama has estimated that for every person not counted will cost Blount County $1600 in federal funds. Thus, a family of four who did not respond to the 2020 Census will cause Blount County to lose $6400 in federal funds. If only 100 families out of the whole county fail to respond, that could cost the county more than $600,000! That could pave a lot of roads or repair a bunch of bridges. Of course, the number will be greater for more populous counties. It’s easy to see how our state can win or lose based on how well the residents of the 67 counties respond to the census this year. It IS important.
“How can I be sure my information won’t be misused? Is it safe?”
The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to keep your information confidential.
This law protects your answers to the 2020 Census. Under Title 13, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. The law ensures that your private data is protected and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. Violating Title 13 is a federal crime, punishable by prison time and/or a fine of up to $250,000.
The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous: The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.
“What does Wikipedia have to say about the Census?”
Welcome to the 2020 Census (from Wikipedia)
- It’s quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete.
- It’s safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected.
- Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
- Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government.
- What is the 2020 Census? The goal of the census is to count every person living in the United States, once, only once and in the right place. Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates that this population and housing count occur every 10 years. Census data guide how more than $675 billion of federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year.
- Am I required to respond to the 2020 Census? Yes, you are required by law to respond to the 2020 Census (Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 141 and 193). We are conducting the 2020 Census under the authority of Title 13, U.S. Code, Sections 141, 193 and 221. This collection of information has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The eight-digit OMB approval number is 0607-1006. If this number were not displayed, we could not conduct the census.
- Are my answers confidential and private? Yes. The Census Bureau is required by law to protect your information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you or your household. Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data. All web data submissions are encrypted in order to protect your privacy. Title 13 of the U.S. Code protects the confidentiality of all your information. Violating the confidentiality of a respondent is a federal crime with serious penalties, including a federal prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Only authorized individuals have access to the stored data, and the information you provide to the Census Bureau may only be used by a restricted number of authorized individuals who are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of your individual responses. Your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. For more information about how we protect your information, please visit our website at census.gov and click on “Data Protection and Privacy Policy” at the bottom of the home page. This page also includes information about the collection, storage, and use of these records. Click on “System of Records Notices (SORN)” and look for Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/CENSUS-5, Decennial Census Program.
- Who should complete the 2020 Census questionnaire? This 2020 Census questionnaire should be completed by the person who owns or rents the living quarters or any other person who is at least 15 years of age with knowledge of the household.
OK …OK! I got it!…but I misplaced my form. What do I do now?
No problem. Just go to 2020Census.gov and Click “Start Here”
*[Note: Opening statement denoted (blog) was derived from unidentified source in a blog about Census Bureau.]
Contacts and Advisors:
(These people have all been consulted, have contributed their opinions, and have consented to have their names affixed to this report.)
Honorable Chis Green, Probate Judge, Blount County, AL
Gregg Armstrong, Revenue Commissioner, Blount County, AL
Justin Cato, Financial Advisor, Huntsville, AL
Joe Knight, Commissioner, Jefferson County, AL
Clayton Dorough, Personal Friend
Rev. Dewey Corder, Pastor; Central Baptist Church, Trussville, AL
Phil Sims, Political Campaign Advisor
Dr. Roger Willmore, Baptist Association Director, Calhoun County, AL
Dr. John Killian, Baptist Association Director, Fayette County, AL
Bill Armistead, Former Alabama State GOP Chairman
Jeremy Bryant, Automotive Robotic Engineer
Joe Godfrey, Citizens Action Program
Earl Woodard, Personal Friend and Author
Oneta Rhea, Personal Friend
Darla ORoark, Family Member
Leigh Marsh, Spouse
Brice F. Marsh, Facilitator and Messenger