Comments for Republicans Urge Bachmann to Stop Fear Mongering About the Census »
Posted By capj71 5 months, 3 weeks ago in Political NewsThree Republican members of the House Census Oversight Subcommittee, Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC), Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA), and Rep. John Mica (FL) released a statement today urging Rep. Michele Bachmann to end her boycott of the 2010 Census. They said, “Boycotting the constitutionally-mandated census is illogical, illegal and not in the best interest of our country.”
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GehlLady5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Maybe Quack. The government has no business knowing what time I leave my home every day. And if we don't volunteer the info, they'll send someone to my door? Like I would feel comfortable telling a stranger,"Yea, I leave at 6am, no one home after that!, Come on back then!"
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nostalgia5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Did any of you even bother to look at the questions on the long form?
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Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?
Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating,remembering, or making decisions?
Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?
Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping?
What kind of work was this person doing? What were this person’s most important activities or duties?
At what location did this person work LAST WEEK?
How did this person usually get to work LAST WEEK?
What time did this person usually leave home to go to work LAST WEEK?
How many minutes did it usually take this person to get from home to work LAST WEEK?
How many automobiles, vans, and trucks of one-ton capacity or less are kept at home for use by members of this household?
How many separate rooms are in this house, apartment, or mobile home?
Which FUEL is used MOST for heating this house, apartment, or mobile home?
About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home (and lot, if owned) would sell for if it were for sale?
How many times has this person been married?
In what year did this person last get married?
This goes well beyond counting the number of people in the US-
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GWHayduke5 months, 3 weeks ago
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You are not required to answer ALL or ANY of the questions.
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As if the Gestapo would personally be knocking on your door with armed guards ready to haul you away at the first indiscretion.
And being the good iconoclasts the obstructionists are, why not just lie?
Much ado about nothing.-
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aceofspades15 months, 3 weeks ago
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"You are not required to answer ALL or ANY of the questions"
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I received a copy of the questionaire & it states in no uncertain terms that by LAW it must be filled & returned.
Well I have to admit I am currently a Federal law breaker - I refuse to answer these intrusive questions. The government knows enough about me already.
If the questionaire was anonymous and only keyed to the zip zone perhaps I would answer it, but the first question asked is --name?
I am not being paranoid, but I thought that as an American I was entitled to some degree of privacy-
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GehlLady5 months, 3 weeks ago
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ace,
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Is this the actual census form? I've seen a reference to the American Community Survey that only goes to a fraction of homes, and I couldn't determine if it was mandatory or optional.
In either case, I will refuse to answer it.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/about_2010_censu... -
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aceofspades15 months, 3 weeks ago
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GW - the Community Survey is the form I am referring to, not the census in general which is much less intrusive.
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The Community Survey is a random mailing to the adress, but I is manatory to fill in your name & to return it with required answers.
If you can see one, you might agree with me that answering some of the questions could impinge upon our 5th & 14th amendment rights.
But given the atmosphere of paranoia generated by the previous administration, I may be over-reacting, so be it.
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nostalgia5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Before spouting such nonsense you should at least visit the Census website:
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3) Do I have to answer the ACS questions?
Yes. Response to this survey is required by law (Section 221 of Title 13). Respondents
are required to answer all questions on the ACS to the best of their ability. Your answers
are very important because they represent the answers of many other similar households
in your community. The data that you and others provide in response to this survey are
required to manage or evaluate federal and state government programs. If you submit an
incomplete form or provide data that are unclear, the Census Bureau may contact you by
phone or in person to obtain or clarify the missing information.
10) What are the penalties if I do not respond to the survey?
Both Title 13 and Title 18, United States Code, provide for monetary penalties for failure
to respond. Title 18, U.S.C., Section 3551, et seq., the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984,
establishes uniform penalties for all federal crimes. Title 13 U.S.C., Section 221, makes
it a misdemeanor to refuse or willfully neglect to complete the questionnaire or answer
questions posed by census takers and imposes a fine of not more than $100. This fine is
changed by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 from $100 to not more than $5,000.
The Census Bureau is not a prosecuting agency. Failure to provide information is not
likely to result in a fine. The Census Bureau staff work to achieve cooperation and high
response rates by helping the public understand that responding to the ACS is a matter of civic responsibility, and prefers to encourage participation in this manner rather than prosecution.
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/CT_%20answ...
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Beau78905 months, 3 weeks ago
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Go ahead and boycott the census then, nostalgia.
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Not only will undercounting Republicans cause their states to receive fewer federal dollars as stated in the article, but it'll also cause Republican-majority states to lose representatives in Congress.
Did you ever hear the term "cutting off your nose to spite your face"?-
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GehlLady5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Beau,
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It is a violation of our right to privacy. I may be drifting off into 'conspiracy land', but I don't see this as Dem/Rep. I see it as a way to population control.
The hand that feeds you also controls whether or not, and what you are allowed to eat.-
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Beau78905 months, 3 weeks ago
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It's useful information for creating policy--spending decisions are sometimes made on such information.
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While the hand that feeds you may control what you can eat, if it doesn't know you exist you don't eat at all; if it doesn't know what you eat it may try to feed you something you don't eat.-
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dgoodii5 months, 3 weeks ago
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They already have violated the Constitution in so many ways and you see this as a way for them to better continue violating it in the future. Streamline spending money in areas and on things not in their constitutional scope.
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Second the government doesn't have the right or the place to feed anyone, outside of those serving to protect the Country. The use of massive amounts of data to address needs and control the people is just one reason not to fill out the sheet completely. Other then census, number of legal or illegal persons residing somewhere, what do they really need to adjust electoral college and legislative representation levels. The census is not there to adjust payments and program levels, it is there to insure proper representation levels as the demographics of the country change with time. As States loose population so will they loose their level of representation in the House, decreasing their influence on legislation.
The individual census forms are sealed for 72 years, if they don't vote to change the law. (92 Stat. 915, Public Law 95-416, enacted on October 5, 1978) But the data is still there for the wrong government to violate the trust of the people. It is only a recent trend to collect more data then number of household members and head of households name.-
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Beau78905 months, 3 weeks ago
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Yes, the census doesn't have to do all the things it does. But the government is going to do it anyway, and like it or not, it does affect the services you receive.
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Refusing to answer may protect your privacy--though I'd bet most (if not all) of the information you want to protect is already in the hands of marketers--but it ultimately deprives you of government services or wastes money by making those services that you're already paying for less efficient.-
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dgoodii5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Status quo is all that matters, insure you stick it to someone before they stick it to you. The very problem with the system now, how much can you take from it to get re-elected. This only destroys and hurts us all
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"But the government is going to do it anyway, and like it or not, it does affect the services you receive."---
Only as long as the sheeple like you allow them to get away with it or take advantage of it.-
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Beau78905 months, 3 weeks ago
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You never use "preferred customer" cards or store credit cards or register more expensive items you buy? You never fill out any kind of form that gives information to anyone you do business with?
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If you receive coupons in the mail, chances are some data collection firm has been watching your purchasing preferences and targeted you.
Your phone company knows who you call or text and how long you speak to people. Your electric and gas companies know your usage patterns. Your ISP nows every website you visit. Credit card companies and banks have lists of everything you purchase.
There's simply no way to keep your personal information out of the hands of marketers, regardless of your presence on "do not call" lists or any attempt you make to keep your info private. Every transaction you make is recorded somewhere, and almost every one of the companies you do business with collects and sells that information in various ways. Most of that data is far less secure than anything you tell the government on the census form.-
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nostalgia5 months, 3 weeks ago
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You never use "preferred customer" cards or store credit cards or register more expensive items you buy? You never fill out any kind of form that gives information to anyone you do business with?
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No I don't. How about you? As far as purchases - almost all are cash now
As far the the remainder of your comment - that isn't the question you originally posed -
"Do you never give any information to marketers?"
And you do know that you can opt out of having any information shared, don't you?
Have you bothered to do that?
Have you ever received the long census form?-
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Beau78905 months, 3 weeks ago
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My point was that more of your information is out there than you could ever imagine.
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You can opt out of having some information shared by some companies, not all. And even that only keeps them from sharing your information if they actually abide by their own policies--you'd never know it if they broke their own rules by sharing your information against your wishes.
I work in marketing--you wouldn't believe what information is regularly collected and sold.
Yes, I've received the long census form and answered the questions. Never was that information used in any way I'm aware of. On the other hand, after registering a new television with the manufacturer and after using the preferred card at the grocery (and thereby saving about 10% on all purchases), I've noticed a distinct increase in marketing solicitations and junk mail.
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dgoodii5 months, 3 weeks ago
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I do not get bothered by them at all, and no I tend to deal face to face with people I intend to do business with. So marketers get no information other then when I purchase products from companies they assist, no phone numbers only zip code info to retailers. Having the phone ring all day for things or phishing for info is a waste of my time.
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If you do not resist every usurping attempt then why resist any.-
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Beau78905 months, 3 weeks ago
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I agree you have to be very careful about what you give retailers, but most of your info is out there in one form or another. See my reply above to nostalgia.
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Privacy is one of the things we give up just by living in the modern world--it can't really be helped if you're not entirely self-sufficient and never do business with others, or don't pay cash every time you buy something.
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nostalgia5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Beau, did I say I was boycotting - stop making things up!
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I don't mind answering the basic 7 questions BUT the long form questions are very intrusive
That's all they need to determine representation
Have you ever received the long form?
I worked for the census in 2000 just to see how it worked. Believe me it verged on harassment if the long forms were not filled completely out
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dgoodii5 months, 3 weeks ago
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When, over the course of many years.
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By whom? The Census Bureau which is a congress created entity to administer the census every ten years, in recent years to collect and tabulate data for other uses. Controlling the data so it can not be used directly against anyone or any group.
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dgoodii5 months, 3 weeks ago
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People are just waking up to the fact that there is no real privacy anymore. This is just part of taking back control of every day life from government. The less they know the less they can control, much like the Constitution intends for the US government.
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This is the first year for the ACS, implemented in 1995, believe to replace the long form which people had been disliking and return levels had declined. Not sure this is just to be used every ten years though, not sure this is truly just for census purposes. It is part of the US Code, so they have laws requiring it be returned, they also follow up with calls or representatives. -
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nostalgia5 months, 3 weeks ago
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The long form with the intrusive questions is not sent to everyone - just a statistical sample
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I never knew the long form existed until we received one in the 2000 census
The questions this year on the long form are much more intrusive
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antibrainwasher5 months, 3 weeks ago
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The cons are right, the black helocopters are coming to take your women and guns and sheep, they will ban sister humping and destroy insurance industry contol of health care.
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When the census taker comes, shoot them, shoot anybody in uniform, shoot teachers, police firemen. Better stock up on ammo and candy bars and coke cans. Dig a hole under your trailer, and some extra batteries for your AM radio, wouldn't want to miss your fatwahs called by the Mullah Porcine Oxypedophile you worship. -
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Charlson5 months, 3 weeks ago
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If you folks don't want to fill out the Census or some of the questions, then don't. Only be advised that there are monetary fines that could be levied against you.
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Some of the questions pertain to decisions on the share of federal funds that a state is entitled and if you don't answer some of those questions, your state may lose out on funds that would help many programs that are needed. So the decision rest with you, good luck.-
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aceofspades15 months, 3 weeks ago
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"If you folks don't want to fill out the Census or some of the questions, then don't"
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Sorry Charlson.but I for one, will NOT answer the questionaire - It should have been an anonymous questionaire keyed to the zip code of the respondent, then the govt would have the info it needed for any given area & it would not intrude upon our privacy.
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antibrainwasher5 months, 3 weeks ago
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This begs the question, who would win a knife fight, Caribu Barbie or Michel Bachman?
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I was thinking Barbie would have more experience, but Bachman is plain crazy, which might give her an edge. I think a knife fight would be a great way to see who is the alpha female of the party of cons, I'd do pay fer view on that. -
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CRYMTYPHON5 months, 3 weeks ago
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The argument that only name and number of household members
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is constitutionaly required, has some merit.
Though there is no doubt the current law requires the form to be completed.
This constitutional issue is being confused with Obama-paranoia.
Ms. Bachmann is a major exporter of Obama-crazyness.
Her fear is not for the constitution,
- but that if she tells to much
ACORN will know enough to come get her. -
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GehlLady5 months, 3 weeks ago
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As I read the premise of the article, it's all about Bachmans fear of ACORN. It sounds more like discrediting opposition to an intrusive violation of privacy to me. I don't know (or care) about the history of this particular woman, but if she is accurate, I applaud her efforts. To require me to divulge that type of info to anyone that comes to my door, under threat of heavy fines, is NOT OK.
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tadair9195 months, 3 weeks ago
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i wish bachman would get her priorities on the constitution down.
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when they torture, thats unconstitutional
when they declare war without congressional approval, thats unconstitutional
when they spy without a warrant, unconstitutional
when they put telco companies above the law, unconstitutional
when they detain indefinately, unconstitutional
i'd take a government-mandated survey over any of the above, any day.
with that being said, i wish all you on the so-called left wasn't so obvlivious to the importance of the Constitution, as you seem to only use it when it suits your political positioning needs. in this case, to make fun of a Republican for merely wanting to adhere to the Constitution and not infringe upon the people. How dare she.-
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NoWayMan5 months, 3 weeks ago
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"with that being said, i wish all you on the so-called left wasn't so obvlivious to the importance of the Constitution, as you seem to only use it when it suits your political positioning needs. in this case, to make fun of a Republican for merely wanting to adhere to the Constitution and not infringe upon the people. How dare she."
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that would be all be great if Michelle Bachman was actually interested in adhering to the constitution for its own sake and not infringing upon the rights of the people.
but thats not what happening here and thats not who michelle bachman is. not by a log shot.
and by trying to clumsily blanket all libs under the label of "those who are oblivious to the impotrtance of the constitution and only use it when it suits their political positioning needs" it makes you sound like...michelle bachman.
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tadair9195 months, 3 weeks ago
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here's what i think. given the ridiculous nature of the survey, whats actually going to happen is it's going to cause many people not to fill it out because of the sheer nuisance of it.
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so, naturally there will be giant census holes. afterwards, special interest groups will lobby government complaining over unfair representation and other important matters that rely on accurate statistics.
the media will partially lay blame on bachman for all the census holes saying she was "campaigning against it," and use her as a scapegoat to shift attention away from the government's looming strategy to track people via national ID card.
the Real ID act was already passed in 2005 which mandated all 50 states must start converting their state-issued identification card and drivers' license to one that can be polled in a national database. advocates of the bill say that this will help with terrorism and illegal aliens, but people who understand what separation of powers is about, know better than that.
sound nutty?
maybe. but i'd rather the government not know of my house has wheelchair access, than give the government the power to do the above.
i'm going to tell them how many people live in my house and then thats all i plan on filling out. so, if i get $100 fine then i'm okay with it. i'll challenge it in court and i'll win.-
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antibrainwasher5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Absolutely right. I don't get this paranoia about a census. How is a politician supposed to know how to draw districts and make decisions when she doesn't know who's in her district or state or whatever? In order to make rational decisions, you have to have accurate information. What's the hispanic population of Texas? I would hope somebody knows that from a census. What age is the population? I would hope the census would help plann for social security.
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Whats the BFD? -
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GehlLady5 months, 3 weeks ago
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..."Real ID act was already passed in 2005 which mandated all 50 states must start converting their state-issued identification card and drivers' license to one that can be polled in a national database."
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Florida jumped right on it, already compliant.
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antibrainwasher5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Who are these complete nutjobs in Minn electing Bachman, who thinks Acorn and the census are coming to get her? I would call it McCarthyistic paranoia, but that's an insult to McCarthy.
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She's obviously completely insane, it reminds me of Sanford, a politician unable to see how stupid they are acting. The district in Minn must be composed of nursing homes and military bases. -
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TheGrunt5 months, 3 weeks ago
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Decisions made with little to no information usually never turn out well.
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If the neocons on here are representative of the general right-wing mindset, then this insistence that I'm seeing here, that the government should get little to no information about the population, would absolutely explain why the Bush misAdministration was such a failure.
They're the kind of people who would order soup, then demand that the waiter remove all spoons from the table...then complain that the soup is awful...
...until the new chef comes on duty, then they'll alternate between telling him the soup of the previous chef was delicious or telling him that it doesn't matter that he wasn't the one who made the soup, it's still his fault that it was awful.
Neocons are funny that way.
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