The citizenship question on the census, in today’s world, is clearly unconstitutional. It has not been on the census since 1950, when not being a citizen (yet) carried a very different social connotation.
The express purpose of the census as explicitly mandated in the Constitution is for the purpose of determining apportionment of legislative districts.
Certainly it is also an excellent opportunity to collect additional demographic data that is useful in determining public policy needs, and one could argue that citizenship vs. non-citizenship is useful demographic data.
But if any aspect of collecting demographic data (not the Constitutionally-stated purpose) interferes with the specific, expressed Constitutional purpose by reducing participation, then collection of that data violates the Constitution. The citizenship question is therefore unconstitutional, which of course might mean nothing to the current right-wing extremist court.
The Constitution and Amendments are pretty clear that every body counts today, it’s the population, not just Republican voters; Bonespurs won’t get his system.
Rather than life long appointments in SCOTUS, the judges must make non-partisan decisions or find themselves easily impeached. Irresponsible, unpatriotic, partisan incompetents must not be tolerated in federal courts. They must have a responsibility to we the people and no one else when rendering decisions.
Constitutionally, we are only required to state how many people live in the residence. And that is all I ever answer. The government can ask how much I make, my favorite ice cream flavor, or whatever they want. It does not mean that you need to answer any questions.
The new politicized SCOTUS may very well decide that asking for your citizenship status is proper, and given the current state of ICE behavior, that will cause people to either lie or avoid even being counted. The liberals and the states with high numbers of undocumented workers worry that this will cut government funding that’s based on actual population. The conservatives hope that it will.
IF it makes it onto the form, I will deliberately lie. I will not leave it blank, because that gives the minions an opportunity to fill it how they want it to be. (I say this having actually worked for the 1970 census, and seen how it went then.)
DD Wiz Premium Member about 5 years ago
The citizenship question on the census, in today’s world, is clearly unconstitutional. It has not been on the census since 1950, when not being a citizen (yet) carried a very different social connotation.
The express purpose of the census as explicitly mandated in the Constitution is for the purpose of determining apportionment of legislative districts.
Certainly it is also an excellent opportunity to collect additional demographic data that is useful in determining public policy needs, and one could argue that citizenship vs. non-citizenship is useful demographic data.
But if any aspect of collecting demographic data (not the Constitutionally-stated purpose) interferes with the specific, expressed Constitutional purpose by reducing participation, then collection of that data violates the Constitution. The citizenship question is therefore unconstitutional, which of course might mean nothing to the current right-wing extremist court.
Dtroutma about 5 years ago
The Constitution and Amendments are pretty clear that every body counts today, it’s the population, not just Republican voters; Bonespurs won’t get his system.
superposition about 5 years ago
Rather than life long appointments in SCOTUS, the judges must make non-partisan decisions or find themselves easily impeached. Irresponsible, unpatriotic, partisan incompetents must not be tolerated in federal courts. They must have a responsibility to we the people and no one else when rendering decisions.
William Bednar Premium Member about 5 years ago
Seems that including questions like: Grandparents’ Country of origin, seem just a bit excessive.
Physicsfreak about 5 years ago
Conservative judges are strict constitutionalists except when it doesn’t serve their agenda.
"It's the End of the World!!!" Premium Member about 5 years ago
Constitutionally, we are only required to state how many people live in the residence. And that is all I ever answer. The government can ask how much I make, my favorite ice cream flavor, or whatever they want. It does not mean that you need to answer any questions.
Radish the wordsmith about 5 years ago
Republicans weaponize everything.
Godfreydaniel about 5 years ago
Wilbur Ross deserves to be convicted for crimes commited over the years (over the decades!) Will he actually be convicted? Probably not.
jvscanlan Premium Member about 5 years ago
We need to all refuse to answer any citizenship question
robnvon Premium Member about 5 years ago
How did that rhyme on eight creep in? “Beer me, K.”
Concretionist about 5 years ago
The new politicized SCOTUS may very well decide that asking for your citizenship status is proper, and given the current state of ICE behavior, that will cause people to either lie or avoid even being counted. The liberals and the states with high numbers of undocumented workers worry that this will cut government funding that’s based on actual population. The conservatives hope that it will.
IF it makes it onto the form, I will deliberately lie. I will not leave it blank, because that gives the minions an opportunity to fill it how they want it to be. (I say this having actually worked for the 1970 census, and seen how it went then.)