Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010

Our Editorial

Fill it out, mail it in

Since it only happens once a decade, the awareness campaign for this year’s U.S. Census is justifiably active.

With privacy and identity theft concerns so much more prevalent than they were in 2000, Census workers face an even larger challenge this year. Their work was not made any easier by the federal bureau itself last week when the first round of mailings hit many residents nationwide with their names above incorrect cities.

Despite the bureau’s insistence that all the correct resident information was contained within the form’s barcode, it raised immediate concerns – especially when the results of any Census can mean the world to a city in terms of future federal funding.

But it remains up to each of us to participate fully in this infrequent project, despite our concerns. The results are used to allocate Congressional seats to states, to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds – our money – to local governments, and to make decisions on what community services to provide.

Census information is kept confidential and is protected by specific federal law. Bureau employees must pass a background check and take an oath for life that they will not divulge anyone’s personal information. The penalty for any unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information is five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

But the most efficient and private way to do our duty is also the most simple – just mail it back in. It’s pre-paid, it’s simple and it’s done.

Editorials are written by the Journal’s Editorial Board. The views and opinions represented are those of a majority of the board. To comment on today’s editorials, call 816-282-7001, or send responses to editor@bluespingsjournal.com.