2010 US Census a Controvesial Issue?

Soch Mel

Based on the title of this article, it sounds absolutely silly that something like the US census would be an important issue. But to Republicans and other conservatives, this is a big issue. This will be the first time in 30 years that the US census will be conducted under a democratic administration. Originally, the Obama White House put a Republican to head the Commerce Department will oversees the Census bureau. This was done so that Obama can continue his plan to bring both parties together.

However, Democrats were upset with this appointment since they felt this person would not do a accurate report on the census. He may try to skew the data so that the GOP can hold on to something. He was later replaced by a Democrat which made all the Republican angry; they accused the Obama white house of "power grab." Either way, the Republicans will undercount the numbers of Democrats while Democrats will probably overcount.

Having an accurate Census is hard since it includes Citizens and non-citizens in the country; many illegals or minorities might be hesitate to answer respond to a government survey out of the fear that the government may misuse the data.

The census become important because of this quote.

"The redistricting of local districts and reapportionment of congressional seats is based on census counts — a state could gain or lose seats based on its population, and shifts within a state determine plans for redrawing political boundaries."

So, it appears to be controversial in that the GOP is afraid of losing its power and its seats in the House and Senate to the Democrats. It is silly that this high school type feud is what both sides seems so focused on rather than coming to together and cooperate. From examples discussed in class, cooperations works; so why can't our government do it? Because many of them were probable either losers or the "big man" back in high school; they rather put on a show than do something because non of them want their pride to be hurt. It's no wonder sometimes that we can't stand our representatives in government, the two-party world does not serve our country's interest.