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Archiver > OKGEN > 2000-08 > 0965654118


From: "Bill & Shelia Bachelder" <>
Subject: [OKGEN ] CENSUS Continues
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 08:15:18 -0500


>Your suggesting that "most are belligerent or have something to hide" as a
reason people refuse to comply with the Census form is totally wrong, and
frankly, inappropriate.<

I'll probably get into trouble again for jumping onto my Soap Box over this issue. "Frankly, My Dear; History speaks for it's self."

I'm not trying to be rude but if History is looked at carefully, reasons for the Census is quite simple and uncomplicated. As for how it got out of control, it's only in the eyes of the interpreter. With New times, new economical strife, new mechanical gadgets to assist in the upcoming - New Century, going to the Moon, going to outerspace ... I mean, things have changed and with change comes intrusions into our lives.

Yes, there are some people that have something to hide or are hiding from evils that may or may not kill them ... I'm not one of them. Mental Illness leads a lot of them to do or believe that their actually being hunted by the government. Nothing wrong with that unless they pick-up arms and start to harm others out of their own fears.

During the 30's and under President FDR, he instituted the Social Security System in the hopes of bettering people's lives, "Well guess what? They all didn't see it that way even then." I have a Great Aunt (she's 91) that still blames everything ( I mean everything wrong with the country ) On FDR. Her husband went to his grave believing that his presidency (FDR's) was the worst thing for the country and it'll be the downfall of the democracy that we so enjoy to this day! [That doesn't mean the rest of the family felt that way.]

We all have that right to feel something is wrong with a system, "something or other." It's the Freedom we enjoy throughout this country that I BELIEVE In and uphold through Military Service that I was given that RIGHT by. Shoot, it wasn't long ago either ("all you women out there") We didn't have a right to VOTE. Now what changed that? I'm not saying Census did but, it sure helped to show how many women were living in the country at that particular time frame to get the Congress moving on that law!?


>While we genealogists love the information found on our pasts through the use of the
census, it was certainly never intended for that purpose....excuse me, but the Constitution trumps genealogy. The sole intent of the census was to count heads.....and by heads, I don't mean toilets.<

I really did like the use of the Toilet issue here ... very appropriate. :o)) An, by counting heads the government in their "so-called infinite wisdom over the peoples of the states" determined just how much Territory to buy, how much wilderness to open up for ranchers to allow their cattle/sheep/chickens (whatever it was) to graze, how many cavalry soldiers needed to be shipped to the west to help control "Indians(as if they were doing something wrong)", help to keep "Law & Order" within the new Frontier. Toilets, well, I wish it was that easy ... they were placed outside at that time and some people didn't even have any ... shoot, they went and found the woods like the Bears did and did it in the WOODS. :o) Pine Cone anyone? <G>


>It's a sad commentary on the state of our Country when people will suggest
that a person's refusal to comply with an illegal action of government is
that "they have something to hide"....do you feel the Jews were wrong for
not willingly jumping into the ovens at Auschwitz?<

Ouch, there are many-many-many reasons why people don't comply ... it just might be their nature. While growing up ... tell me to clean my room, By Golly ... I wasn't going to clean my room because someone told me to do it. Now threaten me with discipline, then the story was different. Didn't mean I liked cleaning my room, but still, it wasn't life or death ISSUES with cleaning my room but I was not going to comply on a positive level no matter what they had given me as a reward for finishing the job. ( - Ouch on the Auschwitz statement.)

I'm sorry if I offended anyone ... that was not my purpose. I was just saying my peace, feeling my oats along with having the right to be "DIFFERENT" on any issue stated. It's a Democracy we live in, "right?"

Shelia



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