How can anyone speak about U.S. Census issues without having looked at the surveys?

First, some background from census.gov and the Constitution:

Congress mandated a decennial census, as outlined in the Constitution. For the first count in 1790, enumerators swarmed the countryside to produce an accurate count, asking simply for householders’ names, age and gender..

President James Madison then requested additional questions, believing that the above information inadequate to fulfill the mandate. The census became a broader survey of population and more, and continues evolving. Its purpose is to produce a large picture of life in the United States.

Survey questions became more specific over time and, by 1940, about 5 percent of the population started receiving a supplemental survey with additional questions. Personal enumerator visits continued for marginalized groups, especially hospital patients, the homeless, jail inmates and undocumented persons.

Even years ago, some people choose not to participate. Some are being told now not to participate in the 2020 survey. However, non-participation compromises the congressional mandate to provide for our welfare. If statistics are inaccurate, places can miss out on the full funding they deserve for federal programs. The numerical data justifies the human need.

What’s in it for you? your voting rights; how many U.S. House members your state gets; federal funding levels for public works projects. The funding that allowed construction of Interstate 295 was based on the area population. Census statistics are analyzed and referenced for years, and are important planning tools.

Can other individuals can find you from census data? Not for 72 years after each count. Until then, the records are confidential. When tabulations are complete, they are sealed and placed in a vault. The Census Bureau states that it has "the strongest confidentiality guarantees” in the federal government.

So, look it up. Click on the census.gov “Index of Questions" and the other headings on the website. It’s your move.

Margaret Davis, Sewell

Political left devalues use of ‘racism’

The 2 1/2-year temper tantrum the political left is still having after Election Night 2016 has got to stop. As a white male over 50 who hates no one, I’m being associated with racism, homophobia and all the other labels that the left casts wantonly to curry favor with their own supporters.

Along with millions of people like me, I am sick of it! The left lives on labels and division. It makes me angry to watch them poison the culture. They employ the same weak excuse that children use when they know they are guilty of bad behavior: “But, Mom, they did it first!”

The truth is, most people don’t wake up in a rage of “hate thy neighbor.” Only petulant, narcissistic, misguided people do.

To blithely throw around the word “racism” devalues the word. It’s disgraceful. Good people, no matter what skin they are in, understand this and must push back like the brothers and sisters we are — not the enemies that left-wingers are trying to make us out to be.

Ken Frank, Pitman

Conrail has more work to do in Vineland

I read recently in a local newspaper that Conrail was slated to repair the railroad crossing at Wood Street, and plans to “renew” the Plum Street crossing in Vineland.

There are other Vineland train track intersections along the Boulevard that should also be repaired: Elmer Street, Elmer Road, Grant Avenue and Wheat Road.

Our city government should petition Conrail and the New Jersey Department of Transportation to have the above four railroad crossings repaired as soon as possible.

David M. Levin, Vineland

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