Republicans Try to Destroy the Census

Not Unconstitutional (0.00 / 0)

The census recorded citizenship for many years -- 1890-1930 for sure, probably later.  The 1880 didn't, although it did have separate fields for Idiotic and Insane.

The Constitution specifically provides that the Enumeration is to be made 'in such Manner as [Congress] shall by Law direct.'  Sen. Vitter may be an ass, but I doubt he's pursuing an unconstitutional endeavor.  

Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.

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by: CharleyCarp @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 17:54:42 PM UTC

Fair point (0.00 / 0)

The Constitutional issues would arise if apportionment was to depend on citizenship status.

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by: Matt Singer @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 17:59:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'd be fine (0.00 / 0)

if they brought back Idiotic and Insane.

Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.

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by: CharleyCarp @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 19:34:55 PM UTC

U.S. Census data IS available for years 1790 through 1930 (0.00 / 0)

The U.S. Census Bureau has been collecting census data every 10 years since 1790.  By law, this data cannot be released to the public until 72 years have passed from the year it was taken.  Hence, the 1940 census data will not be available to the public until 2012.

The 1890 U.S. Census was gathered, however only fragments remain, as the 1890 records were housed in the Commerce Department in Washington, D.C., and were almost entirely destroyed by a fire on January 10, 1921.

Several genealogy organizations provide digitized visual images of these documents in databases you can search online. I happen to purchase my census database from Ancestry.com.  These census data are treasured by genealogists who are searching for their ancestors.  

The older census' often provided a lot more information than those taken in recent years. Every decade now, the census information being gathered seems to be dumbed down due to paranoid protests.  It is very sad that far too many people take a paranoid view of these studies, due to ultra conservative political idealogy, and anti-government sentiments.

I know that I was delighted to find my grandparents, great grandparents, and great, great grandparents in these census documents.  I learned where they lived, what the ages of their children were, where each family member was born--and where their parents were born (state or country--which country they immigrated from, and the year they immigrated to the U.S.), what was the main occupation of the head of household, whether or not they spoke English, and if they owned a radio. This is just some of the info that is absolutely priceless to people searching for their roots.

I want people to go back to their non-paranoid roots too, and take pleasure in making the census process a record to be proud of, and a record that may, in 72 years, provide a person's descendants with knowledge of who their ancestors were as an individual, family and a country.

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by: Gypsy @ Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 20:51:36 PM UTC