Census return rates low for Mississippi and Clarke County
Subject: Census return rates low for Mississippi and Clarke County; no count made of people with pets!
By now everyone should have received a 2010 Census form. These forms should be filled out accurately and returned by April 1, 2010. The results are used to determine representation in Congress and how more that $400-billion in federal funds are apportioned over the next decade.
Did you know that you can keep track of the results of the 2010 Census? As results come in they are tabulated by the Census Bureau. Demographic maps are prepared which are posted on-line. See Take 10 Map 2010 Census Participation Rates site where you can see the results for your area.
Although some residents may receive a long form the majority of 2010 Census forms only ask 10 questions and are easy to answer and complete. It may be unfortunate that the 2010 Census does not ask more questions as there are many regions of the country as well as cities which could benefit from a more detailed accounting. For example, the basic 10 question 2010 Census form is most specifically interested in establishing the race or national origins of respondents. The basic 2010 Census form totally overlooks unemployment, religious affiliation, income level, automobile ownership, whether people have insurance, pets or other issues which relate to one's social-economic group. Hence the distribution of federal funds cannot accurately take into account such aspects as the poverty level of a community.
Of course the purpose of the census is to count people, not pets. But by excluding pets people who have pets and who spend an enormous amount of money upon their pets are not treated fairly when it comes to appropriation of federal money. One of the consequences is then that these people and their communities have less resources for other needs such that many communities are over burden and cannot even afford such basic services as an animal control officer or animal shelter. The result is that we have over 7-million homeless animals destroyed in the United State every year -- an estimate not based upon the census, but upon statistics from other sources.
The exclusion of people with pets from the 2010 Census count therefore does not take into account the reality that a great number of people, regardless of their income level, chose to have pets and spend a protion of their income or resources upon maintaining and caring for their pets. When this factor is not even taken into account the result is prejudicial treatment of people with pets down the road.
With this in mind when I completed my own 2010 Census form I wrote in the fact that I own a dog. If everyone who owns a dog or cat would write this in upon their 2010 Census form perhaps someone would get the message that pet owners want to be counted and pet owners want their fair share of federal tax dollars to be spent upon programs to provide for animal control officers and animal shelters.
In many areas where there is extreme poverty, sky rocketing unemployment and staggering rate of home foreclosures, the number of homeless animals has soared. This is a problem that individuals do not have the financial resources to deal with effectively. In Mississippi alone there are some 73,000 dogs and cats destroyed in animals shelters annually, plus thousands upon thousands more which suffer on the streets. It would cost $73-million dollars per year to begin to deal with this problem effectively. This is why when individuals who care about homeless animals try to help, they quickly become over burdened by the astronomical size of the problem.
The problem of homeless animals is so large that it is one which requires action by cities, towns, counties, states and even the federal government to solve. But passing laws alone cannot solve problems; what is needed is money! Money is needed to fund animal shelters and animal control officers. Money is needed to fund rescue, spay, neuter and adopt programs. Money is needed to fund community education programs related to the humane treatment of animals as well as to train volunteers to work in animal rescue.
Yet because the 2010 Census does not even make a count of people with pets, states are left with the financial burden of animal control. Yet because the federal government ignores this issue, the states do not have the information they need either, such that the cycle of millions upon millions of homeless animals continues in America. This is a great waste of life and resources, for historically pets add greatly to the quality of human life.
When I started Good Shepherd Dog Animal Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit organization, I was hoping that I could make a difference and save the lives of homeless animals. Therefore when I learn that our nation does not even count people with pets, I'm very disappointed. How can cities, towns, counties and states get the money to deal with the issue of homeless animals if the US Census does not even make a count of people with pets? Not making a count is like ignoring the issue!
There are many critical issues which require our attention to improve the quality of life for all citizens. This includes everything from proper funding for improvements in infrastructure to proper funding for animal rescue and control. Yet before any problem can be fixed, the extent and nature of the problem needs to be understood. Unfortunately the 2010 Census does not shed any light upon such critical issues as unemployment, home foreclosures, or how many people have pets that proper public funding for animal rescue and control may be made.
When I checked the 2010 Census Participation rates site on March 29, Clarke County had only a 23% return rate compared to a 29% participation rate for Mississippi and a 34% rate for the entire nation. This is NOT a good result; in fact it is pathetic! Although I realize it is not April 1 yet, I would expect more people would take an interest in returning their 2010 Census forms. With over $400-billion federal dollars at stake I urge everyone to be a responsible citizen and get those Census forms in now! Even if the census does not count your dog or cat, at least it counts your kids! And if you want what is best for yourself and your children, it is very, very important to complete and return your 2010 Census form!
By now everyone should have received a 2010 Census form. These forms should be filled out accurately and returned by April 1, 2010. The results are used to determine representation in Congress and how more that $400-billion in federal funds are apportioned over the next decade.
Did you know that you can keep track of the results of the 2010 Census? As results come in they are tabulated by the Census Bureau. Demographic maps are prepared which are posted on-line. See Take 10 Map 2010 Census Participation Rates site where you can see the results for your area.
Although some residents may receive a long form the majority of 2010 Census forms only ask 10 questions and are easy to answer and complete. It may be unfortunate that the 2010 Census does not ask more questions as there are many regions of the country as well as cities which could benefit from a more detailed accounting. For example, the basic 10 question 2010 Census form is most specifically interested in establishing the race or national origins of respondents. The basic 2010 Census form totally overlooks unemployment, religious affiliation, income level, automobile ownership, whether people have insurance, pets or other issues which relate to one's social-economic group. Hence the distribution of federal funds cannot accurately take into account such aspects as the poverty level of a community.
Of course the purpose of the census is to count people, not pets. But by excluding pets people who have pets and who spend an enormous amount of money upon their pets are not treated fairly when it comes to appropriation of federal money. One of the consequences is then that these people and their communities have less resources for other needs such that many communities are over burden and cannot even afford such basic services as an animal control officer or animal shelter. The result is that we have over 7-million homeless animals destroyed in the United State every year -- an estimate not based upon the census, but upon statistics from other sources.
The exclusion of people with pets from the 2010 Census count therefore does not take into account the reality that a great number of people, regardless of their income level, chose to have pets and spend a protion of their income or resources upon maintaining and caring for their pets. When this factor is not even taken into account the result is prejudicial treatment of people with pets down the road.
With this in mind when I completed my own 2010 Census form I wrote in the fact that I own a dog. If everyone who owns a dog or cat would write this in upon their 2010 Census form perhaps someone would get the message that pet owners want to be counted and pet owners want their fair share of federal tax dollars to be spent upon programs to provide for animal control officers and animal shelters.
In many areas where there is extreme poverty, sky rocketing unemployment and staggering rate of home foreclosures, the number of homeless animals has soared. This is a problem that individuals do not have the financial resources to deal with effectively. In Mississippi alone there are some 73,000 dogs and cats destroyed in animals shelters annually, plus thousands upon thousands more which suffer on the streets. It would cost $73-million dollars per year to begin to deal with this problem effectively. This is why when individuals who care about homeless animals try to help, they quickly become over burdened by the astronomical size of the problem.
The problem of homeless animals is so large that it is one which requires action by cities, towns, counties, states and even the federal government to solve. But passing laws alone cannot solve problems; what is needed is money! Money is needed to fund animal shelters and animal control officers. Money is needed to fund rescue, spay, neuter and adopt programs. Money is needed to fund community education programs related to the humane treatment of animals as well as to train volunteers to work in animal rescue.
Yet because the 2010 Census does not even make a count of people with pets, states are left with the financial burden of animal control. Yet because the federal government ignores this issue, the states do not have the information they need either, such that the cycle of millions upon millions of homeless animals continues in America. This is a great waste of life and resources, for historically pets add greatly to the quality of human life.
When I started Good Shepherd Dog Animal Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit organization, I was hoping that I could make a difference and save the lives of homeless animals. Therefore when I learn that our nation does not even count people with pets, I'm very disappointed. How can cities, towns, counties and states get the money to deal with the issue of homeless animals if the US Census does not even make a count of people with pets? Not making a count is like ignoring the issue!
There are many critical issues which require our attention to improve the quality of life for all citizens. This includes everything from proper funding for improvements in infrastructure to proper funding for animal rescue and control. Yet before any problem can be fixed, the extent and nature of the problem needs to be understood. Unfortunately the 2010 Census does not shed any light upon such critical issues as unemployment, home foreclosures, or how many people have pets that proper public funding for animal rescue and control may be made.
When I checked the 2010 Census Participation rates site on March 29, Clarke County had only a 23% return rate compared to a 29% participation rate for Mississippi and a 34% rate for the entire nation. This is NOT a good result; in fact it is pathetic! Although I realize it is not April 1 yet, I would expect more people would take an interest in returning their 2010 Census forms. With over $400-billion federal dollars at stake I urge everyone to be a responsible citizen and get those Census forms in now! Even if the census does not count your dog or cat, at least it counts your kids! And if you want what is best for yourself and your children, it is very, very important to complete and return your 2010 Census form!
posted by TAL | 10:16 AM
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