I just filled out my info for the 2020 census online. I'm puzzled why there was a question on my

[tetedur]

"origin". I mean, what difference does that make? If they really need accurate information, could I have put "Cajun"? Would they have accepted that? Should I have said French Canadian? They weren't real clear about the definition of "origin." I opted for French.

There was also a special, separate question on whether you are Hispanic and a "guarantee" that your information would be "confidential."

[Throck]

1. I'll answer the question on "origin"

sperm.

[superpatriotman]

2. Mixed with egg

That’s what Mommy told me, but she’s been known to obfuscate

[Throck]

22. and probably alcohol...................

[Mike 03]

3. I think my answer will be "the Big Bang."

[Frustratedlady]

4. Thanks for the morning chuckle. n/t

[Ghost Dog]

10. Stardust, Nt

[US4u2]

5. Not me...

I answered "American." I was born and raised here. My family was not big on labels that might elicit some kind of latent discrimination... unless you count being "human" as a label, which I must say, at this point, probably elicits a negative response from every other animal on this planet.

[tetedur]

8. American was what I would've answered too.

But that wasn't an option in the examples.

"American," to me, is a mix of nationalities if your ancestors have been here for a length of time. And if someone on the street asks me "what my origin is" I would say American.

[Thomas Hurt]

6. Think I will put my DNA results in....

[2naSalit]

7. my answer is always "human".

I answer very basic first questions to confirm I am a human living at that address and that's really all they need to know. If they feel they need to come and ask, they can but the answers are still the same.

[MissMillie]

9. Here's what I think that's about

Sometimes government agencies and non-profits initiate aid/assistance/educational programs targeted to people of different backgrounds. Having the information of where these specific people are helps allocate the funding to locations where it is needed most.

While the information could mishandled and/or misused, I don't think the intent is nefarious.

[The Genealogist]

11. I have ancestors from all over western Europe

Irish, Scottish, English, French, Swiss, German, Dutch, Danish. Do they expect me to pick the country my most recent ancestor came from? The nationality I am most genetically connected to? The one my father or mother most closely identified with? Why is his question on there?

[LiberalFighter]

12. Not Trump????

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Parents.

[Hortensis]

14. But! Those who hide information blow it. That's exactly what the

Last edited Fri Mar 13, 2020, 10:40 AM - Edit history (1)

RW hardcores want: Undercounts and inaccuracies they can manipulate to screw as many groups in as many ways as possible. Democrats must constantly battle the Republicans to conduct accurate censuses to serve the people, and the better the numbers we give them the more powerful they and we are.

Acting out anti-government resentment and even paranoia on the census, just as with voting, amounts to abetting and/or surrendering to exactly what is feared. Responsible people who expect good governments are the only ones who can elect them.

And of course analysts working on many thousands of projects in and out of government must have good data. No one needs to be empowered by accurate counts more than minority groups trying to get their share of the pie. And there are far more "minorities" than we imagine. Like those whose backgrounds correlate with dispositions to a whole list of specific medical problems.

[tetedur]

17. When I think of "minority" I think of race.

I don't have a problem with answering a question about race. I absolutely agree that is valuable information. I just was puzzled about origins.

[Hortensis]

21. Sure, we all do. But every small "needs" group swamped

under the constant yammering of majorities for what they want is a minority. The census vastly amplifies not just their voices, but those of many who are going to develop those special needs over the next decade but don't know it.

And, then of course, there are things like who gets money for roads. If we're not in town or a wealthy neighborhood, we're in a minority group. Is that group going to need better roads to commute to the city instead of local low-pay jobs, have high birth rates over the next decade, or accelerating need for emergency healthcare?

Dems of course need to know, anti-government cons are fighting to keep it unknown.

[global1]

18. Then The Dems Should Educate Us As To How Best....

we should answer these ambiguous questions so we don't provide answers that the Repugs can discredit or exclude to their advantage.

[Hortensis]

20. Or we can be adults and educate ourselves.

After all, we ARE Dems too, right?

In a nation of 320 million people, most of whom are busy and/or not paying attention most of the time, expecting our party officials to provide individual tutoring on every issue is just not realistic.

Our part in this ongoing battle is to just answer the questions as honestly as we can. (Not to examine them suspiciously for tricks and refuse to answer to defeat some undefined but presumed insidious purpose. ) Those who use census data to serve their nation take it from there.

[Wounded Bear]

15. Crude, but accurate response...(nsfw)

a small patch of hair about the size of your hand.

[Javaman]

16. I can't wait till I get mine, I will answer Kripton. :)

I always wanted a cool origin story. LOL

[ornotna]

19. Mine will be

Bohemian.
There's also Scot in there but I don't wan to divulge too much information.

[NoPasaran]

23. Earth

My home planet

[hauckeye]

24. I put "Czech"

but that's only my father's side. My mom's side is German/English/Swiss etc. Hard to know what to enter.