Please don’t cut your nose to spite your face

Published 10:39 pm Saturday, March 13, 2010

Already a few people have voiced opposition to the Census project. One or two cite an invasion of privacy and another said any grant money received as a result would just be wasted by our leadership.

Well, if you feel so strongly in that vein, perhaps you should not be counted. After all, this is America where we go to great lengths not to force people to participate in their government process … a forced participation being in direct contrast to the very principles of a democratic republic. Likewise, failure to participate mocks those who have paid the ultimate sacrifices to sustain and perpetuate our freedoms.

But let us give you some information relative to the excuses that have been offered. Yes, the more accurate Census data we have, the better chances we have of receiving fair portions when it comes to the billions in grants that are awarded. Keep in mind, in most of these grants some of your tax money was already included. So do you not want a portion of it back if possible?

And yes, there are many proved examples of tax money being wasted. As well, there are many proved examples of it being well spent.

And could it be that some of it is wasted when we the public do a poor job in participating in local, state and national governments. Holding our leaders accountable means that we have to get off our duffs and go to public meetings, educate ourselves to the issues, vote, offer advice, question and even challenge courses of action … in short, get passionate about democracy.

Please be aware that much of the Census data is utilized by companies that are seeking expansion or relocation. They want to know about the local labor force, etc. If they build a new plant in our community, that can mean more direct jobs, perhaps development of satellite industries and certainly a broadening of the tax base.

Then when it comes to you thinking that the Census is a broad platform for the invasion of your privacy, well we live in a data based world far beyond the information contained in the Census where anyone who wants to know anything can find it out if he’s the least bit computer savvy and observant. Let’s put it in nautical terms … that ship has long sailed. Or let’s bring it closer to home … that horse has left the barn and it has nothing to do with the Census.

There’s nothing at all wrong with being suspicious of your government if it leads to involvement, verification and accountability with an overall understanding that “we are the government.”