Census Bureau concerned about head count problems

[Jefferson23]

2010-04-08 16:02:00
As the U.S. census nears its final stages, the government is preparing for possible debacles that could derail its $15 billion head count, from mass identity theft and lawsuits to homeowners who refuse to answer their doors.

Census Bureau documents, obtained by The Associated Press, underscore the highly fragile nature of the high-stakes population count before the government dispatches some 700,000 temporary workers to visit homes, beginning in May.

The preparedness efforts are not entirely new. Previous censuses had contingency plans in place, at least conceptually, and the Census Bureau has never failed to meet its constitutional mandate of delivering population counts by Dec. 31 each decennial year.

But this is the first time the Census has detailed — in 300 pages of internal documents released under the Freedom of Information Act — specific risks to the once-a-decade government count. It's part of the bureau's approach to handling threats that could undermine accuracy, omit large segments of the public or add to already ballooning costs.

Many of the documents proved telling, even with portions redacted or withheld for security reasons.

in full: http://sify.com/finance/census-bureau-concerned-about-head-count-problems-news-international-keiqcphhhec.html

[Brickbat]

1. As a census worker, I have been amazed and impressed by the effort to get everyone counted.

It blows me away, how much of it relies on the good faith of everyone involved.

[Jefferson23]

2. The folks who refuse to partake, another fall out from the Glenn Beck mentality

is a concern, but not shocking, is it?

Thanks for your good work btw!

[Brickbat]

4. It's a concern, and I find it so sad.

I'm one of those people who sees great beauty in people working together on grand projects, and the fact that some people will purposefully try to wreck or hold themselves out of such projects for stupid reasons is such a waste.

Thank YOU for your recognition! I've only done a week's worth of work, but I have more coming up at the end of the month. It's a pleasure and an honor, IMO, to be a part of it.

[Jefferson23]

6. Oh you're very welcome, maybe you might consider writing

something up for us here at DU about your experience when your work is completed.

People would be interested to hear, I think.

[Brickbat]

7. I might do that, but so far it's been pretty uneventful.

I was sent to enumerate people living at the campsites and parks in my area, which, in March, consisted of no people. But I got paid for taking a nice walk and checking all the campsites. :)

[WeDidIt]

11. And they'll be the first to bitch and moan

that the Census undercounted people!

[obxhead]

3. Be safe out there

I almost applied, but I'm not sure it would be safe in my region. To many teabagger nutters around.

[Brickbat]

5. Oh, thank you.

I'm in a very rural, very blue area. I'm also physically imposing and confident. People tend to not mess with me for some reason. But thank you. :hi:

[proteus_lives]

8. I'm starting on the 26th!

I'm proud that I'll be serving my community!

[Jefferson23]

9. Hey good for you, let us know how it goes! n/t

[Hepburn]

10. This deserves a KNR for the personal experiences of the DUers involved.

Thanks for your good work...:hi: