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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Boycott the 2010 Census [Unless They Decide to Allow Their Workers to Record Data Accurately and Truthfully]!

According to this story in the Silicon Valley Mercury News [that I read about on Pam's House Blend], the US Census Bureau has announced that it plans to instruct its employees to lie when recording data about married gay and lesbian families in the upcoming 2010 census. Because of the irrational refusal of the federal government to acknowledge the existence of non-heterosexual marriage, [which those taking the red pills often attempt to excuse by uttering the magic incantation, "Well, it's because of DOMA,"] federal workers recording data for the upcoming census will be instructed to "classify" married non-heterosexual couples as "not married." The full effect of all this inaccurate data is yet to be determined, but it might have something to do with lower funding for social programs in communities with higher concentrations of gay and lesbian families.

A good way for gay and lesbian families to respond to this affront to their dignity might be to boycott the census entirely and refuse to provide any data beyond a statement such as, "Due to the federal government's pig-headed, naive, irrational, and superstition-based refusal to acknowledge the nature of reality as it pertains to the existence of non-heterosexual marriage, this household refuses to participate in the 2010 Census in any way." I think that might be technically illegal, which would make this an act of civil disobedience. You have been warned. However, I personally have refused to participate in the census and sit on federal juries since the mid-nineties for the very same reasons and have never had to face any consequences.

1 comment:

Jason said...

I completely agree! A boycott would be effective. A few points to consider - the most they can do for failure to complete the census is a $100 fine - so not too steep. But, keep in mind, not completing the census will have negative impace in regard to government spending and congressional districting. This is important. So, what I plan to do, is throw away the first and the follow up mail in census forms. This will trigger the census bureau to have to contact or visit each of us individually to get the information in person. This will cause great havoc for the federal government since there are 20-30 million of us. Let them come to our homes, apartments, etc. to get the information they need. When they do, give the information. No fine, and we are still counted.