Judging from what I read, hear and see (even among my own social circles), a lot of Americans seem to be paranoid or suspicious of just about everything these days. I've never heard so many people so wildly anxious about a census as for the 2010 census; nor have I heard such hyperbolic fears before, even when working as a temporary Census Enumerator in 1980.
In any case, the decennial population census (i.e., taken once every ten years, once every decade) was written into the U.S. Constitution by the venerated "Founding Fathers."
From Article I, Section 2:
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 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 first census was like the 2010 version, only it also asked how many slaves were in the household, and excluded "Indians not taxed." The 1790 census determined the overall population of the United States (3.9 million) including slaves (ca. 698,000). Urban centers were cozy and easily walkable at the time, including Philadelphia (the Capital of the USA), New York, Boston, and so on. No US city exceeded 35,000 people in 1790. Can you imagine? We already know that today's population is closer to 309 million vs. the 3.9 million in 1790.
In any case, please don't fear the Census Enumerator, and certainly don't fear the 2010 Census.
Today's Rune: Gateway.
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