• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Will Democrats Come to Their Census?

Rogue Valley

Lead or get out of the way
DP Veteran
Joined
Apr 18, 2013
Messages
93,563
Reaction score
81,644
Location
Barsoom
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Independent
Will Democrats Come to Their Census?

Why boosting participation in the 2020 survey should be one of their biggest priorities.

GettyImages-1126726156.jpg

Removing Donald Trump from the White House should be mission number one for Democrats—and the nation—in 2020. Come January 20, 2021, there will be no greater relief for the majority of Americans than to watch someone else sworn in as president, and for our long national nightmare to finally be over. Most Americans realize that the census is a tool by which the federal government counts individuals living in the United States, regardless of immigration status. But what makes the census so singularly impactful, is that, with that data, the government determines where it apportions roughly $800 billion toward schools, roads, hospitals, Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment benefits, housing vouchers, programs for seniors and disabled veterans, and so much more. Simply put, being counted has an extraordinary effect on day-to-day American life. And yet, it is often considered an issue more suited for discussing in a civics class than at a political rally. It certainly generates nowhere near the cocktail party chatter, barbeque banter, or social media buzz as Trump’s unseating. The only it time it’s really garnered significant media attention was when the Trump administration tried last year to insert a citizenship question, and thereby depress census participation. Luckily, Democratic resistance led to the move being challenged in the courts, and, in June 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the question’s removal from the census.

Trump wouldn’t have targeted the census if it wouldn’t possibly help his agenda. For that reason, Democrats need to prioritize boosting census turnout for 2020. Democrats must emphasize that census data helps apportion congressional representation among the states, and ensure equal representation through redistricting. The census results provide population data that determine the allocation of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as state legislative districts, school districts, and voting precincts. Accurate data can help make sure that Congress and state legislatures reflect the increased number of residents who are people of color. These are all issues near and dear to Democrats’ hearts. During the Trump era, democracy is under assault, children are separated from their families at the border, female bodily autonomy is at risk, climate deregulation continues to flourish, and mass shootings have become the norm. Marches, protests, phone calls to elected officials, and social media posts have provided some outlet. But the 2020 census gives individuals a chance to exert power and influence over their daily lives. Of course, census participation has not—as of this writing at least—become a Republican priority. So Democrats will have to lead the charge to demonstrate that completing the census is as critical a civic responsibility as casting one’s vote.

Why are Pelosi & Co. ignoring this? Allowing Wilbur Ross to cut short the 2020 Census count can affect the Democrat party for years to come at all levels of government.

Related: U.S. Business Community Supports Extending 2020 Census’ Statutory Deadlines
 
Back
Top Bottom