longer.blue

As we enter the US 250th, I'm thinking ahead, specifically about the 2030 census. The U.S. Constitution empowers the Congress to carry out the census in "such manner as they shall by Law direct" (Article I, Section 2). The Founders of our fledgling nation had a bold and ambitious plan to empower the people over their new government. The plan was to count every person living in the newly created United States of America, and to use that count to determine representation in the Congress. My concern is that some individuals, particularly those who are undocumented immigrants or members of marginalized groups, may be hesitant to participate due to fear of potential discrimination or harm. Census demographics is crucial in distributing resources with billions of dollars allocated annually based on population counts. It’s also used by states for redistricting, school district & various other government purposes.  Non-participation due to fear invites “sanctioned” autocracy, another way democratic principles we claim to hold dear are undermined. Too often, autocrats undermine the equitable use of our resources for the common good. Because the census is so vital, lets start thinking ahead and talk about what WE can do now to ensure the next Census achieves the goals our founders envisioned.