Oct 302009
 

vitter_bennetBY JOAQUIN GUERRA

“Some politicians come up with dumb ideas. Some come up with impractical ideas that would cost taxpayers millions of dollars. And then there are those lawmakers with crazy proposals that would violate the United States Constitution.”

Republican Senators Vitter and Bennett hit the trifecta by trying to wreck the US Census.

In yet another attempt to marginalize U.S. immigrants and inject hate into politics, Senators David Vitter (LA-R) and Bob Bennett (UT-R) introduced an amendment to the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that would require questions in the 2010 census on immigration status

They’ve filed an amendment to the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that would strip funds from the Census Bureau — if they do not include a question regarding status of United States citizenship to the US Census.

If passed, the Vitter-Bennett amendment would throw a monkey wrench into the U.S. Census by requiring over 120 million questionnaires to be reprinted, wasting over $7 billion in research, planning, and preparation that has occurred for Census 2010.

Don’t let them inject their anti-immigrant agenda into every conceivable realm of public life.

Click here to write your Senator and tell them to vote NO on the Vitter-Bennett amendment:

The real truth behind the Vitter-Bennett amendment

Anti-immigrant legislators like Vitter are willing to compromise the accuracy of the census in their obsessive efforts to inject an anti-immigrant agenda into every conceivable realm of public life. But the real policy ramifications are endless. If passed, this amendment would stop the 2010 Census dead in its tracks–preventing the questionnaire forms from being mailed next spring and wasting over $7 billion in research, planning, and preparation that has occurred for Census 2010.

If passed, it would completely undermine a hallowed institution that has been in our constitution from the very beginning. Held every 10 years, the U.S. Census determines Congressional reapportionment and political representation in State Legislatures and hundreds of legislative bodies at the local level.

It also decides the allocation of more than $400 billion in Federal funds to communities annually–including funds for Medicaid, voter protection, SCHIP, childcare, early child education, school lunch, and other vital services. Critical to businesses, governments and the independent sector, the Census serves as the fundamental source of information on our nation’s demographic makeup–guiding private and public research projects that influence a broad range of social/policy decisions.

A failed 2010 U.S. Census count has massive implications that could be devastating to communities for the next decade–and supporting an amendment that takes away the ability of the Census to paint an accurate portrait of America is not smart.

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  • George

    I agree! The immigration laws are out-dated and dysfunctional. I think most people, if adequately informed, would agree to reasonable reform.

  • George

    I am confused as to why you all can't sort out the difference between "IMMIGRANT" and "ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT". What is the problem with limiting the census to those who are here LEGALLY? These guys aren't against IMMIGRATION; they are for LEGAL IMMIGRATION. I'm just another stupid law-abiding, tax-paying American Citizen wondering what other laws you would like to do away with besides our immigration laws? I'd like to do away with income taxes and property taxes and car licenses, car insurance, speed limits, zoning laws, building permits, business licenses, etc.etc… But, I abide by these unfair, oppressive and limiting laws because to do otherwise would invite greater ruin and chaos upon myself and my community, and ultimately my country. I was taught that If you don't like the laws, go through the channels to change them, but abide by them in the meantime. That is what living in a civilized society is all about.

    • Advocate

      Concerning the census, congressional districts are apportioned dependent on population in those districts. Highway funds and other funding is apportioned likewise.

      Nobody wants to do away with our immigration laws, only fix them! They're broken beyond repair.

      I wonder if the opposition to counting the entire population in the US, which is mandated by the Constitution worries some because it would expose the myth of 20-30 million illegals in this country as CIS and others claim.

      We are trying to go through the channels to have these laws changed, but it is difficult to do when a faction opposed any type of reform.