U.S. Census 2010 - Political Battle Over Who Will Be Included in the National 'Family Picture'

The 10-year count of Americans has turned into a political football, as the 2010 U.S. Census is seen as a way to tip national policy in the future. ACORN, the political activist group which was the subject of much controversy and accusations of fraud during the 2008 election, has been said to be one of the administration's choices as a partner to lead the counting, according to many reports including Fox News, where the U.S. Post Office was put forth as a more reliable alternative.

Politicians are also putting forth items to include in the statistical results, including those in gay marriages, illegal immigrants and others. The U.S. Census, once seen as the realm of statistical analysts and social scientists, has been moved into the political arena. Just as media credibility has eroded as politicians have increasingly been able to deliver their messages directly through news reports, the census is at risk of becoming a partisan device with much less scientific value.

Set for April 1, 2010, the U.S. Census is 'at risk' according to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, because the Republicans in Congress are blocking confirmation of Census leadership until the most serious concerns are addressed. Among those concerns is the method of counting - to represent those who are difficult to count directly, there have been efforts to include a statistical method to include them rather than an actual headcount. The current nominee, Robert Groves, was blocked by the Republican administration according to the Huffington Post when he attempted to include such methods in 1990 as associate director.

Understanding that the Census will strongly influence who 'gets a piece of the pie,' political groups are pushing to make sure they get the biggest and best piece of the Census pie that they can. Meanwhile, the Census Bureau also will face huge challenges even without political pressure, as the country has become more diverse culturally, politically and socially, notes USA Today. The political divisions that the 2008 election revealed have increased and may threaten required cooperation with Census counts, as even Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann has said that she will not cooperate in providing personal data to the Census Bureau, citing fears of abuse of the data including possible internment camps, says the Washington Times. A pastor in Virginia has been telling minority parishioners about the benefits of the Census, says the Richmond Times-Dispatch, while warning those who are in the country illegal about the possibility, in his view, of later persecution if they participate.

When the U.S. Census is conducted next year, it will affect how citizens are represented in Congress, how government programs will be allocated, and will paint a picture of the country's social structure. Based on the results, media, government and others will gain an understanding of the country's composition, how citizens are choosing to live, and what their values are. Those who are pushing for an accurate representation also are seeking one that Americans can trust, as they try to understand their country as a whole in second decade of the new century.

Http://2010.census.gov

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/25/2010-cenus-locke-urges-go_n_220748.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529058,00.html

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2008-10-08-Census_N.htm

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/17/exclusive-minn-lawmaker-fears-census-abuse/

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/BOYC15_20090514-222621/267851/