Michelle Bachman is a Census Nut

September 14, 2009

In mid-June 2009, Michele Bachman, Minnesota Congresswoman said she was not going to fill out the 2010 census as required by the U.S. Constitution. She says she would not answer any questions except to indicate the number of people in the household.

This is what she said:

“The mother lode of all data information will be from the Census. … Unfortunately, the Census data has become very intricate, very personal, a lot of the questions that are asked. I know for my family, the only question we will be answering is how many people are in our home. We won’t be answering any information beyond that, because the Constitution doesn’t require any information beyond that.” http://thinkprogress.org/2009/06/17/bachmann-census-lawbreaker/

This is what the Constitution says about the census:

"[An] Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct."

The Constitution is silent about the questions and this is left up to the Congress which is “the Law”. They have decided on Census questions for over 220 years and if it was good enough for our forefathers, then why isn’t it now?

Could it be that Bachman is a racist in a world where there is no longer legal slavery? I am sure she is sad about that!

It is also too bad she doesn’t read the Constitution which she swore under oath to uphold.

Census questions have evolved and the number of questions have increased. They are a useful way to gather the information the Congress deemed important for the time. The same applies now and most importantly they are used by the Federal government to apportion tax money to the states and redistribute representatives in Congress.

The first census was in 1790 and this is what was asked of citizens at the time:

1. Name of the head of each household.
2. How many free white males age 16 and older.
3. How many free white males under age 16.
4. How many free white females.
5. How many of all other free persons.
6. How many slaves.

   
   I am sure Bachman would answer those.