Thread: Tancredo: Census count diminishes citizenship

Census count diminishes citizenship
Tom Tancredo
Posted: October 31, 2009
1:00 am Eastern

© 2009

A funny thing happened on the way to the 2010 census. A United States senator stood up and said the next census will be a fraud on the American people.

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter set off a firestorm recently when he introduced an amendment proposing that the upcoming census ask respondents if they are U.S. citizens, and if not, if they are here as Legal Permanent Residents. Under his amendment, the census would count all persons, but illegal aliens, tourists, foreign students or other temporary visitors would not be included for the purpose of the congressional apportionment or divvying up federal funds.

This seems like common sense to most Americans, but in fact, illegal aliens and millions of others here on a temporary basis have traditionally been included in the census count. This was not a big problem in past decades while those numbers were small, but today, we have over 30 million persons in the country who are neither citizens nor Legal Permanent Residents ("green card holders").

Counting these millions of non-citizens as equal to citizens for all census purposes seriously distorts our nation's politics and government. How so? States with high numbers of illegal aliens profit by gaining more congressional seats and more federal grant monies. This creates a perverse incentive for states to attract illegal aliens to increase their clout in Congress and their share of federal funds. By the same token, states with laws discouraging illegal aliens from taking up residence are penalized by losing representation in Congress.

In September, Sens. Bennett, Enzi and others proposed a new law to fix the problem, the Fairness in Representation Act, but the Democrats who control the Senate have not allowed a hearing
on the proposal.

Concerned about the unstemmed flow of illegal aliens over our border? Don't miss Tom Tancredo's book, "In Mortal Danger: The Battle for America's Border and Security"

The New York Times called the proposal for redoing the questionnaire for the 2010 census "ridiculously expensive." But curiously, they don't object to the Census Bureau's $300 million dollar campaign to encourage illegal aliens and other non-citizens to participate in the census. Nor do they object to the extra money spent for bilingual forms, Spanish language public service announcements and funds given to far-left groups to set up "Census Information Centers." Can you say, ACORN Walking Around Money?

There are logical reasons why Democrats want to give millions of non-citizens equal status in the census. Illegal aliens are concentrated mostly in California and urban regions that would lose Democrat seats in Congress if they were not counted. Lois Kazakoff of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that excluding non-citizens "would reduce our political clout" for their sanctuary city.


Some advocates for including illegal aliens in the census say simply that the Constitution demands it. Liberal groups who never before found much value in the strict construction school of constitutional jurisprudence are suddenly demanding that "all persons" be interpreted only one way – to include all living, breathing human beings who happen to be within our borders on the day of the census. Yet the Bennett-Vitter proposal does not say they should not be counted. What it proposes is that we should count them in the total as non-citizens and then include only citizens in the apportionment of congressional seats. There is nothing unconstitutional in that proposed change.

Defenders of the status quo believe that if the question about citizenship and legal status were added to the census questionnaire, illegal aliens would not participate because they would fear deportation. Perhaps so, but so what? If illegal aliens are no longer part of the formula for allocating congressional seats or federal funds, who cares if the count is accurate other than professors of demography and the lobbyists at the National Council of La Raza? Besides, the U.S. Census Bureau has statistical sampling methods it can use to estimate the total number of illegal aliens – or any other demographic group – regardless of the extent of their participation in answering the census questionnaire.

While Democrats, the open border lobby and the government of Mexico are against Vitter's amendment and Bennett's bill, there is one special-interest group that wants to make sure we count citizens, not wannabes: the American People. A CNN poll conducted Oct. 16-18 asked, "Do you think the U.S. census should or should not ask everyone living in this country whether they are legal residents of the United States." Eighty-eight percent responded that we should.

Now, unless the Senate opponents of the Vitter amendment believe that CNN is part of the "vast right-wing conspiracy," they ought to pay attention to this sentiment.

www.wnd.com

Citizens rights

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter set off a firestorm recently when he introduced an amendment proposing that the upcoming census ask respondents if they are U.S. citizens, and if not, if they are here as Legal Permanent Residents.

Woo hoo!! Louisiana Senator Vitter is another hero. Just like Arizona State Sen Pearce, and Arizona's Maricopa Co Sheriff Arpaio. There ARE some leaders with guts and principles, even when its not the politically correct and easier thing to do!!

Originally Posted by builditnow

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter set off a firestorm recently when he introduced an amendment proposing that the upcoming census ask respondents if they are U.S. citizens, and if not, if they are here as Legal Permanent Residents.

Woo hoo!! Louisiana Senator Vitter is another hero. Just like Arizona State Sen Pearce, and Arizona's Maricopa Co Sheriff Arpaio. There ARE some leaders with guts and principles, even when its not the politically correct and easier thing to do!!

Does anybody really think this is going to get off the ground?

Originally Posted by PatrioticMe

Originally Posted by builditnow

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter set off a firestorm recently when he introduced an amendment proposing that the upcoming census ask respondents if they are U.S. citizens, and if not, if they are here as Legal Permanent Residents.

Woo hoo!! Louisiana Senator Vitter is another hero. Just like Arizona State Sen Pearce, and Arizona's Maricopa Co Sheriff Arpaio. There ARE some leaders with guts and principles, even when its not the politically correct and easier thing to do!!

Does anybody really think this is going to get off the ground?

Maybe not. But I give Vitter credit for trying. And something like this isn't the politically easy thing to do. At least it brings some attention to the issue of illegal aliens being counted, and the reasons why its ridiculous.

Originally Posted by builditnow

Originally Posted by PatrioticMe

Originally Posted by builditnow

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter set off a firestorm recently when he introduced an amendment proposing that the upcoming census ask respondents if they are U.S. citizens, and if not, if they are here as Legal Permanent Residents.

Woo hoo!! Louisiana Senator Vitter is another hero. Just like Arizona State Sen Pearce, and Arizona's Maricopa Co Sheriff Arpaio. There ARE some leaders with guts and principles, even when its not the politically correct and easier thing to do!!

Does anybody really think this is going to get off the ground?

Maybe not. But I give Vitter credit for trying. And something like this isn't the politically easy thing to do. At least it brings some attention to the issue of illegal aliens being counted, and the reasons why its ridiculous.

You're right...I just get so disgusted because every attempt to defend this nation and it's RIGHTFUL owners never makes it out of the gate. NEVER. I give Vitter credit for trying too...but when it doesn't make it, they have 10 more years until we have another census to have representation in a nation they don't belong in and these politicians will know if the illegals hadn't been counted, THEY wouldn't have had a job. I have not one tiny doubt in my mind that they are constantly reminded of this and that has to have something to do with why so many of them represent illegal aliens instead of American citizens....so, in reality we can look forward to 10 more years of these....people....having politicial representation they aren't entitled to.

Folks: I encourage all of you to go back and read or re-read Tom Tancredo's book "In Mortal Danger". Although it's a little out of date, most of the book is still right on target.

The scams and lies that have been perpetrated on the American people have been frightening and horrible. Most of us understand the reasons for the massive corruption and deception as we get obama and his associates true agenda now.

However, even though, it's clear he and his associcates are working to destroy our democracy, I know it's painful and frustrating, however, we must never give up hope, that's what the crazies on the obama team want us to do, so they can move in for the kill and defeat us. For inspiration we can think about groups like the French Underground, even when their country was inundated by Nazi's they fought back. So if they can fight back, ( they had fewer resources than we have) imagine the impact we can have, etc.

Also, let's support ( in words, deeds and monetarily) those who are fighting on our behalf, like William Gheen ( Alipac), Tom Tancredo, Sen. Vitter and Sen. Pearce.

I found some quotes that I thought were inspiring, they are as follows:

I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery. - Jean Jaqueas Rousseau


Too many people are only willing to defend rights that are personally important to them. It's selfish ignorance, and it's exactly why totalitarian governments are able to get away with trampling on people. Freedom does not mean freedom just for the things I think I should be able to do. Freedom is for all of us. If people will not speak up for other people's rights, there will come a day when they will lose their own. - Tony Lawrence (apl@world.std.com) 12/28/95
________________________________________
In Germany they first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was nobody left to speak up. - Reverend Martin Niemoller, Germany, 1930's
No constitution, no court, no law can save liberty when it dies in the hearts and minds of men. - John Perkins

My freedom is more important than your good idea. - Bumper Sticker

Secular schools can never be tolerated because such a school has no religious instruction and a general moral instruction without a religious foundation is built on air; consequently, all character training and religion must be derived from faith… We need believing people.â€

GO VITTER! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! That's an outstanding amendment! Oh yes, he is an American Hero. No section of our country should ever be rewarded with greater representation in the US Congress or any State Legislature for that matter by breaking our laws.

Here is the Bennett Act in the US Senate

"Fairness in Representation Act (Introduced in Senate)

"S 1688 IS

"111th CONGRESS

"1st Session

"S. 1688

"To prevent congressional reapportionment distortions by requiring that, in the questionnaires used in the taking of any decennial census of population, a checkbox or other similar option be included for respondents to indicate citizenship status or lawful presence in the United States.

"IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

"September 17, 2009

"Mr. BENNETT (for himself, Mr. ENZI, Mr. BUNNING, and Mr. CRAPO) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

"A BILL

"To prevent congressional reapportionment distortions by requiring that, in the questionnaires used in the taking of any decennial census of population, a checkbox or other similar option be included for respondents to indicate citizenship status or lawful presence in the United States.

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

" This Act may be cited as the `Fairness in Representation Act' .

"SEC. 2. CITIZENSHIP OR LAWFUL PRESENCE STATUS ON CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRES.

" In conducting the 2010 decennial census and every decennial census thereafter, the Secretary of Commerce shall include, in any questionnaire distributed or otherwise used for the purpose of determining the total population by States, a checkbox or other similar option for respondents to indicate citizenship status or lawful presence in the United States.

"SEC. 3. PREVENTION OF CONGRESSIONAL REAPPORTIONMENT DISTORTIONS.

" (a) Adjustments To Prevent Distortions- Section 141 of title 13, United States Code, is amended--

" (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

`(g) The Secretary shall make such adjustments in total population "figures as may be necessary, using such methods and procedures as the Secretary determines feasible and appropriate, in order that those who are not United States citizens or are not lawfully present in the United States are not counted in tabulating population under subsection (b) for the purposes of apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to supersede section 195 of this title.'.

" (b) Conforming Amendment- Section 22(a) of the Act entitled `An Act To provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for apportionment of Representatives in Congress', of June 18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a(a)), is amended by striking `as ascertained under the seventeenth and each subsequent decennial census of the population' and inserting `as ascertained and reported under section 141 of title 13, United States Code, for each decennial census of population'."

__________________________________

Here is the House Version

"Fairness in Representation Act (Introduced in House)

"HR 3797 IH

"111th CONGRESS

"1st Session

"H. R. 3797

"To prevent congressional reapportionment distortions by requiring that, in the questionnaires used in the taking of any decennial census of population, a checkbox or other similar option be included for respondents to indicate citizenship status or lawful presence in the United States.

"IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

"October 13, 2009

"Ms. FOXX (for herself and Mr. CHAFFETZ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

"A BILL

"To prevent congressional reapportionment distortions by requiring that, in the questionnaires used in the taking of any decennial census of population, a checkbox or other similar option be included for respondents to indicate citizenship status or lawful presence in the United States.

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

" This Act may be cited as the `Fairness in Representation Act' .

"SEC. 2. CITIZENSHIP OR LAWFUL PRESENCE STATUS ON CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRES.

" In conducting the 2010 decennial census and every decennial census thereafter, the Secretary of Commerce shall include, in any questionnaire distributed or otherwise used for the purpose of determining the total population by States, a checkbox or other similar option for respondents to indicate citizenship status or lawful presence in the United States.

"SEC. 3. PREVENTION OF CONGRESSIONAL REAPPORTIONMENT DISTORTIONS.

" (a) Adjustments To Prevent Distortions- Section 141 of title 13, United States Code, is amended--

" (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

`(g) The Secretary shall make such adjustments in total population figures as may be necessary, using such methods and procedures as the Secretary determines feasible and appropriate, in order that those who are not United States citizens or are not lawfully present in the United States are not counted in tabulating population under subsection (b) for the purposes of apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to supersede section 195 of this title.'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 22(a) of the Act entitled `An Act To provide for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and to provide for apportionment of Representatives in Congress', of June 18, 1929 (2 U.S.C. 2a(a)), is amended by striking `as ascertained under the seventeenth and each subsequent decennial census of the population' and inserting `as ascertained and reported under section 141 of title 13, United States Code, for each decennial census of population'."

______________________

Note the House Version is the Foxx bill, that's our very own North Carolina, Virginia Foxx.

GO GO GO Republicans!

Thank you Vitter, Bennett and Foxx and all your co-sponspors. Thank you Tom Tancredo for keeping us advised and thank you to jean for posting this on ALIPAC!

This should be on the home page, huh? This is huge news!