Census 2.0

I heard recently that a new census form was popping up. Its called the American Community Survey.There is a 64 page document on the US Census site which describes what this is for and why we “need” it.

This is not supplemental to the 10 year detailed survey. It replaces it.

The federal government needs to know basic census data at a minimum to do things like decide how many representatives each state receives, but they do not need to know some of the things the new survey is gathering like

“Journey to Work” includes data on means of transportation (automobile, bus, bicycle, walking), travel time (both duration and time departed), and whether or not a carpool is used.

…

Plumbing Facilities
House Heating Fuel
Fertility [?? really ??]

There is a whole appendix for detailing the differences between the old survey and the new one. Some include how they determine residency. The new standard is “have you lived there 2 months?” Really? That means that any transient population shows up as long term residents that affect decisions! It also significantly changes the demographics of every college town in the country. This also means that any natural disaster that displaces a number of people (like a hurricane) for any significant period of time is going to skew numbers quite quickly.

When they compare switching from the old form to the new ACS (page 9) the change is

more akin to switching from reliance on an internal
combustion engine to a hybrid.

you get an idea of who thought this was a good idea.

I also wonder if this is part of the effect of shifting who oversees the US Census bureau.

Communists not related to Communism?

I like to poke around the state and federal statutes when I have nothing better to do. Try searching for the word “communist” in your local states legislation. In Texas you can’t be on the ballot or be appointed to an office if you are a “communist”

Sec. 557.022.  RESTRICTIONS.  (a)  The name of a communist may not be printed on the ballot for any primary or general election in this state or a political subdivision of this state.

(b)  A person may not hold a nonelected office or position with the state or any political subdivision of the state if:

(1)  any of the compensation for the office or position comes from public funds of this state or a political subdivision of this state; and

(2)  the employer or superior of the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is a communist.

So, thought crimes aside, the most interesting thing is that being a communist can have absolutely nothing to do with communism.

Sec. 557.021.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:

(1)  "Communist" means a person who commits an act reasonably calculated to further the overthrow of the government:

(A)  by force or violence; or

(B)  by unlawful or unconstitutional means and replace it with a communist government.

(2)  "Department" means the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.

(3)  "Government" means the government of this state or any of its political subdivisions.

Are you a forceful or violent revolutionary? Then you are a commie! Although peaceably replacing the government with a communist government seems ok. As does forcefully going after the Feds, just not the state or local governments.

Everything is better with zombies

Including Jane Austin!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!

Income Gaps Hit Record Levels In 2006 — Does it matter?

There is always a show of income gaps whenever new economic data comes out. One major missing piece of data they NEVER include is “How many people who were in the really poor section of the data are still in the really poor section?”

These studies do not take into account the churn of social mobility. Many people and households that start out in the lower groups move quickly into the upper groups. Reading the typical report you would think that poor people are always poor and rich people are always rich and never the twain shall meet. The beauty of the American Dream is that it exists. I used to make a lot less money than I do now. I worked hard. Now I make more and I’m in a different group than I used to be.

You would also likely see a huge correlation in their graphs of the average age of the people within those sections. Younger people make less money. Surprise!

Now I’m not saying poor people don't exist. I’m saying that the same poor people from a few years ago are not necessarily the same poor of today. Some are and some aren't, but I don't think this data is accurate enough to get people marching in the street because of it.

Indefinite Preventive Detention

With Obama proposing Indefinite Preventive Detention without trial will the left finally be taking off their rose colored glasses?

The first line of this article sums it all up with

stunning in its illegality

He doesn’t want to change the policies. He wants to rebrand them. Gitmo is just a tarnished brand and he wants to wipe it away but keep on keepin’ on. A rose by any other name…

The Agitator misses the point

Radley, your heart is in the right place but you missed the point regarding Barney Franke’s online gambling bill.

It’s unfortunate that it takes the promise of tax revenue for the federal government to respect individual freedom. But I suppose that’s the reality of things.

This is typical “end justifies the means” thinking. This is all about revenue. Legalize something so we can tax it? That’s not freedom, that is extending the governments reach during a stressful time.

While we are at it why don’t we just legalize extortion and hits. I’m sure there is lots of money to be made taxing that as well.

I’m for legalizing pot and poker – I just don’t think taxation as the primary motivation is the right way to travel down that road. Its not a moral victory. Its another hand in my pocket.

Its mine I tell ya!

Sometimes you find a gem out there that has been around but you still need to share. Congressman Moran from Virginia stating that you don’t have a right to keep your own money. And in fact explicitly calling for redistribution of wealth.

What he doesn’t seem to get is that our entire economy and national history is based on the premise of personal property rights – both of self and wealth.