The 2010 Census: Beware the State’s Assault on Privacy!

by Gary D. Barnett
Gary D. Barnett
Jan. 29, 2010

The time is near for the national headcounters “SWAT” teams to once again begin their decennial assault on privacy. Some of those neighbors you thought to be decent people will now be hounding you incessantly to extract personal and private information that is none of theirs or the state’s business. Don’t be fooled by their claim that they are just doing their constitutional duty, as nothing could be further from the truth.

I have gone over this several times before, but the reasons for and the constitutionality of the census count is worth review. I will preface my remarks by saying that I don’t think much of the constitution in the first place, because I consider it too weak and too broad in nature, but since that document outlines the rules and reasons for the census, it is necessary to refer to it here. Article 1, section 2 states:

(Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.) (The previous sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th Amendment, section 2.) The actual 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 Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and Georgia three.

There are several items of interest in the above passage that in my opinion render the constitutionality of modern census taking moot, as I discussed earlier here. There are many legal scholars who would argue this, but even if I concede this point, the fact remains that any census is to be a simple count of heads; nothing more. This is not arguable given what is stated above in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution.

So now that we understand that the only proper “constitutional duty” is to simply count the people in a given area (not their address, gender, work status, ethnic background, number of toilets, etc.), then why are all these very personal and private questions asked in the first place? Why does the U.S. Census Bureau not only ask unconstitutional and personal questions, but demand that they be answered? Why in fact do these same cretins threaten anyone who doesn’t comply with their Gestapo-style tactics?

To answer these questions honestly, one will have to come to the unpleasant conclusion that we no longer live in a free country, but in a tyrannical and totalitarian state that demands to know anything and everything about us; where we live, where we work, how much money we earn, how much property we have, what our habits are, our marital history, our education history, and even your fertility status, along with many other idiotic and invasive questions. Depending on whether you receive the American Community Survey or the new short form, both of which are intolerable and unconstitutional, you are expected to fill them out completely. This year, the government is touting its new short form with only ten questions, but they have pulled a rope-a-dope. I think this is because of the growing census dissent. Previously, the long form, which is now called the American Community Survey, was sent once every ten years to every one in six households. Now the long form is sent to fewer people, but is sent on a rotating basis, and every year instead of every ten years. This gives the impression, and this is the underlying objective of the census bureau, that the decennial count is the new kinder, less intrusive census process. In reality, it is merely a smoke and mirrors approach meant to fool the public. My belief is that the pressure to complete these nefarious surveys will intensify and the threats will increase. This will happen in my opinion for several reasons, not the least of which is the continued and warranted lack of compliance by some in this country. I can only hope that the dissent will grow and become more than the U.S. Census Bureau can overcome, and that this invasive absurdity then would cease. I will not however, hold my breath for this result given the now sheep-like behavior of the populace at large.

The bottom line is this: I haven’t seen a ramp-up of this magnitude by the U.S. Census Bureau before. Even locally, and every day, radio ads about the importance of the census, employment advertising for census takers (50 are being hired in my small town), and other government ad blitzes are rampant. It seems that this census invasion is already in full gear, even though the actual count will not begin until probably March or April.

As the census count becomes more evident, I’m sure I will be compelled to continue to monitor and expose the abuses. Hopefully, those who understand that there is no validity to the modern census count and that it is fully unconstitutional, will aggressively resist the government’s unwanted advances. I do not allow any census taker on my property nor will I in the future. It is easier for me than most because I live in the country and access is one way. This is imposing to those trespassing on my property. But if others who don’t have the options I have are willing to either fully resist, or just give the number of people at the residence and nothing more, that attitude will impede the “progress” of those busybody intruders. In addition, if enough of us cause them problems, it might be more reported across the country; this causing even more dissent. Call it the beginning of the grassroot anti-census movement if you will.

I must warn you that every level of government is very intent on counting as many as it can, and gaining as much information about you as is possible. Local and state governments are dependent on high count rates because federal tax revenue fed back to the states, counties, cities and towns is dependent on the census. Allocations to different welfare programs, spending projects, schools, etc., are directly related to how many and what “category” of people can be counted in a given area. This is also why many local census takers are so aggressive, and why federal government threats may be forthcoming should noncompliance occur. It is simply a racket, you understand, not different than any other corrupt scheme. And since many local politicians and certain interested parties stand to benefit from a high count and particular and isolated information, they will apply unending pressure.

Even the public school system (government indoctrination centers) is now enlisting and training your kids to pressure you to fully participate in the 2010 census. Your children will make good little soldiers and spies you understand, as they are ordered into government service to promote the census. They will even have “family take-home pages to share with parents and guardians.” I guess “readin, writin, and rithmetic” will have to take a proverbial back seat this year.

All I can offer is that in order for us to defend our privacy, it is imperative that as many of us as possible resist this assault. The government will use every means at its disposal to force this privacy invasion, and only a groundswell of resistance will deter this unconstitutional and liberty-destroying census process. All information collected will be forever stored in government data-bases, so don’t become just another cog in their wheel of deception. Instead, consider liberty!

January 28, 2010

Gary D. Barnett [send him mail] is president of Barnett Financial Services, Inc., in Lewistown, Montana.

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