Brian Larsen’s March 27 article Census
facts about Cook County
was interesting and timely but I have serious questions.
Since a full census is only taken every 10 years, how are these newer figures arrived at? By the same as other polls? I often wonder about polls. Pollsters assure us data is accurate within a certain percentage. Have they ever given the same questions to every person within an area and compared results?
Thiscensus is a farce. Little of the information mentioned in the article will be available for future use since this year the main interest is race or origin. Why?
To emphasize these differences can prove very divisive. The idea that we are not a melting pot but a mosaic sounds great, but if a mosaic doesn’t fit together into an attractive whole who wants it? There must be something that brings people together and in this country it should be a common language and basic beliefs.
In private life we can hang on to our backgrounds and cultures if we want, but in government we must have cohesion.
The original reason for a census was to help apportion representatives for the government. For this purpose all that would have to be asked is age. Since only citizens should be entitled to vote and all citizens should be able to read and write English (or American since I guess there is quite a difference) why is this census available in several languages? Information as to home ownership, size of homes, income, occupation, etc. could be helpful for making projections of future needs but background are not!
Oh yes, papers are being dropped off at houses and returned by mail but they are looking for census workers that need several days of training. More stimulus money?
Nelda Westerlind
Grand Marais
Leave a Reply