dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 OK...I know it is important, but first the letter saying it was coming, then the census itself which I filled out in about 5 minutes and put back in the mail, and today...a post card saying, 'You should have received your census in the mail, blah, blah, blah...it is a law that you fill it out and return it'. OK, I already did. And they are whining because the census bureau is already over budget? Who knew?!!! Link to post Share on other sites
474218 Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I still refuse to fill my census questionair out until April 1, because of the first question. Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I still refuse to fill my census questionair out until April 1, because of the first question. What is the first question? I forgot. Link to post Share on other sites
Myprayers77 Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 What is the first question? I forgot. 1.How many people are in your household as of April 1st? Link to post Share on other sites
markdavd Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 1.How many people are in your household as of April 1st? Good point. Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 (edited) 1.How many people are in your household as of April 1st? So in actuality I could have lied when I answered before 04-01? OOPS!! Edited March 24, 2010 by momof 3 Link to post Share on other sites
dapandlap Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Ha Ha Ha April fools, gotcha Link to post Share on other sites
UnionMom Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 It is a heck of a lot cheaper for them to send out the reminders in the mail than it is for them to send people door to door for the folks who forget to fill them out or neglect to for whatever other reason. And they are not technically over budget, yet. Some of the things that they have done so far did end up costing more than was budgeted for them but they have not gone over on the full budget. Link to post Share on other sites
CreativeOne Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Got the pre-notification. Got the census form - filled out and returned. Got the reminder. Glad to be counted this time (last time we got NOTHING or NOBODY) -- Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 (edited) It is a heck of a lot cheaper for them to send out the reminders in the mail than it is for them to send people door to door for the folks who forget to fill them out or neglect to for whatever other reason. And they are not technically over budget, yet. Some of the things that they have done so far did end up costing more than was budgeted for them but they have not gone over on the full budget. This article states that they are over budget, but it's on Fox so who knows? 'The Census Bureau spent $85 million on advance letters and postcard reminders'. Straight from the article...thats A LOT of money. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/15/census-bureau-running-budget-heavy-counting-gets-way/ Edited March 24, 2010 by momof 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Jughaid Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 OK...I know it is important, but first the letter saying it was coming, then the census itself which I filled out in about 5 minutes and put back in the mail, and today...a post card saying, 'You should have received your census in the mail, blah, blah, blah...it is a law that you fill it out and return it'. OK, I already did. And they are whining because the census bureau is already over budget? Who knew?!!! I heard a news report today that says they do this because the reminders may cost now but it saves a lot more in the future. For ever 1% that mail it in, it saves $85 million in later costs. I found the link for that! http://www.azjournal.com/news/126/ARTICLE/5283/2010-03-24.html Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I heard a news report today that says they do this because the reminders may cost now but it saves a lot more in the future. For ever 1% that mail it in, it saves $85 million in later costs. I found the link for that! http://www.azjournal.com/news/126/ARTICLE/5283/2010-03-24.html I think my mind won't wrap around $85 million dollars!! Now...that may change if I won that much in the lottery!! Link to post Share on other sites
Jughaid Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I think my mind won't wrap around $85 million dollars!! Now...that may change if I won that much in the lottery!! Whilst you want the $85 mill, I'd settle for $8500. Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Whilst you want the $85 mill, I'd settle for $8500. I'd go for $85.00 at this point!! Link to post Share on other sites
Superscoot52 Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 I'd go for $85.00 at this point!! $8.50 would buy me a decent meal! Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 $8.50 would buy me a decent meal! I hear ya!!! Link to post Share on other sites
UnionMom Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 This article states that they are over budget, but it's on Fox so who knows? 'The Census Bureau spent $85 million on advance letters and postcard reminders'. Straight from the article...thats A LOT of money. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/15/census-bureau-running-budget-heavy-counting-gets-way/ The title is misleading. Regardless, it is unfortunate that they have had "cost overruns" already. But as folks have already pointed out, "..."Every 1 percentage point for us means that we save $85 million of salary costs of sending people out to follow up on those non-responses..." Link to post Share on other sites
QOTSA Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 (edited) Someone with the census bureau said that studies have shown that sending out the initial letter actually saves them money. More people actually fill it out and send it in, keeping the number of in person visits to a minimum. Now the postcard after... Edited March 24, 2010 by QOTSA Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Someone with the census bureau said that studies have shown that sending out the initial letter actually saves them money. More people actually fill it out and send it in, keeping the number of in person visits to a minimum. Now the postcard after... Do they only send people out if you don't reply? I can see it now...a census worker knocking on my door...now that would really fire me up especially since I sent it back on the day I got it. Link to post Share on other sites
dapandlap Posted March 24, 2010 Report Share Posted March 24, 2010 Whilst you want the $85 mill, I'd settle for $8500. dang j-hed 1st time I've ever agreed with ya The title is misleading. Regardless, it is unfortunate that they have had "cost overruns" already. But as folks have already pointed out, "..."Every 1 percentage point for us means that we save $85 million of salary costs of sending people out to follow up on those non-responses..." I don't recall any govt. run operation that EVER came in at or under the projected cost. Link to post Share on other sites
TFaust9197 Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 We haven't gotten ANY of the census info! Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 We haven't gotten ANY of the census info! So what do you do in that case? Link to post Share on other sites
workingforaliving Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 1.How many people are in your household as of April 1st? it says "How many people WERE living in your household as of April 1st?" Past tense, were, implies that I can't answer it until April 2nd. Postcards be damned. Link to post Share on other sites
cmorg Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 So, studies show that sending out multiple mailings and ending up over budget will keep them from being even more over budget? And they probably spent millions on the study. That's our friendly federal govt. Link to post Share on other sites
dawneykids Posted March 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 So, studies show that sending out multiple mailings and ending up over budget will keep them from being even more over budget? And they probably spent millions on the study. That's our friendly federal govt. That was my thought too. Link to post Share on other sites
shortnsassy Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 If they wanted it sent in before April 1st they should have worded it different. If God calls me home before April 1st I will no longer be living there. I might have to move someone in before then. Not planning on either of this but you never know. I don't want to be accused of lying. Link to post Share on other sites
Ugadawgs98 Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 (edited) The reason they have to take these rather mundane steps is because the mindset of much of the population these days. People have lost sight of the importance in the processes that makes our Republic great. Completing the Census to ensure they have adequate representation is not important to them because they do not vote. Edited March 25, 2010 by Ugadawgs98 Link to post Share on other sites
brown*eyed*girl Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 OK...I know it is important, but first the letter saying it was coming, then the census itself which I filled out in about 5 minutes and put back in the mail, and today...a post card saying, 'You should have received your census in the mail, blah, blah, blah...it is a law that you fill it out and return it'. OK, I already did. And they are whining because the census bureau is already over budget? Who knew?!!! They need to send me a postcard. I keep meaning to fill mine out and then don't. I would do it right now but I'm not sure where I put it. Plus checking Paulding.com is so much more important . Just kidding, I totally plan on getting it out in the next day or two and I am 100% confident they will save money sending out those pesky postcards. Link to post Share on other sites
markdavd Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 It probably would have been cheaper to send the forms to every head of household and promise $100 for a properly filled in form. Link to post Share on other sites
workingforaliving Posted March 25, 2010 Report Share Posted March 25, 2010 Law says the census every 10 years is to count the number of people living in the US on April 1st of each 10th year....or something like that....which is the reason for the April 1st day.....but that doesn't mean I'm fillin' it out early It probably would have been cheaper to send the forms to every head of household and promise $100 for a properly filled in form. probably less than that......I'm down with fidy. Link to post Share on other sites
cmorg Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 People have lost sight of the importance in the processes that makes our Republic great. Seems to me that that the processes that made this a once great Republic have all but failed... Link to post Share on other sites
cherokeewoman Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 I would like to know what this census has cost us? We get mail it is coming, the forms, then another please fill it out, then they have already hired workers for all areas..... so do they think we are stupid? how much is in the budget for the census? Link to post Share on other sites
QOTSA Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 (edited) I don't know about "studies." Perhaps I used the wrong word. Statistics? Gary Locke - Secretary of Commerce http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-18-2010/gary-locke-pt--2 Paraphrase: For every 1% improved response, they save the taxpayers 85 million. ETA: part 1 http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-18-2010/gary-locke-pt--1 Edited March 26, 2010 by QOTSA Link to post Share on other sites
Ugadawgs98 Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 Seems to me that that the processes that made this a once great Republic have all but failed... I do not agree....it ranks at the top. The population counts and densities determined by the census directly impacts the amount of representation a given area has in the government. It is a monumental task to try to count 300+ million people and pinpoint their location on a map. Link to post Share on other sites
matthewspiglet Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 (edited) OK...I know it is important, but first the letter saying it was coming, then the census itself which I filled out in about 5 minutes and put back in the mail, and today...a post card saying, 'You should have received your census in the mail, blah, blah, blah...it is a law that you fill it out and return it'. OK, I already did. And they are whining because the census bureau is already over budget? Who knew?!!! Dang i still keep forgetting to put it in the mail. I don't really mail mail i pay everything online so i forget to mail stuff. grrrr off to put in the mail box now. Edited March 26, 2010 by matthewspiglet Link to post Share on other sites
shortsammie17 Posted March 26, 2010 Report Share Posted March 26, 2010 I'm happy to be counted we def need more money here in Paulding, I sent mine off the next day.. Link to post Share on other sites
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