Counting on the Census

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three. -- Article I, section 2, US Constitution.


For many years, voluntary compliance has been falling. In anticipation of this problem, the Census Bureau has been relying on wholly owned sectors of society to propagandize for its campaign. The Sesame Street character named Count von Count is touring public schools to tell the kids to tell their parents to fill out the census, even as more than 1 million census kits have been sent to public schools around the country. Think of it as the state using children to manipulate their parents into becoming volunteers in the civic planning project. -- “The Census and Despotism” by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.

I have more than a few issues with the census. Not any more than Lew Rockwell, of course (I'm a mere amateur), but I have a slightly different take. I don't necessarily oppose the census because it is an unconstitutional invasion of privacy, although I could defend that position. Here's my issue: The sheer inefficiency of our approach, coupled with the potential for abuse.

1. Many people do not want to be counted. Others insist these people should be counted anyway. Some feel these folks should be counted even if they can't be found.

The census has become another system for legalized theft. Because "direct taxes" are apportioned by the census, the opportunity for abuse is very high. As a result, we have much overcounting, and many thousands of people with Mickey-Mouse-names on our census roles. People are paid by our government and by its enemies to make up these entries.

Even if it weren't for this, paying stenographers to find people who do not want to be found can hardly be a good use of federal money, can it?

Here's The Wizer's plan:

Have anyone who wants to be counted show up in person to the county clerk's office, show ID and fill out a form for all members of the household. Anyone who does not show up, simply does not care to be catalogued in this fashion, and should be left alone.

It should be no easier to be counted as a citizen than going to the polls on election day. People who do this are the real citizens, and should be the ones counted. Those who don't care to show up are not exercising their right to be counted as citizens; and they probably have a very good reason for it. I say leave them alone.