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US Constitution & Census - I DISagree with Stan Milam!

US Constitution and Census

I disagree with Stan Milam!

Yes, believe it or not, here is another topic/issue on which I DISagree with my long-time FRIEND and COLLEAGUE on WASHINGTON SEMINAR! Let’s consider Stan’s very strong “attack” on the US Census in terms of our US Constitution and US law. Let’s review where STAN needs to be focusing his articulated advocacy for CHANGING the US Census. STAN is close to encouraging ILLEGAL behavior as he attacks the 2010 Census – after all, it is THE LAW, so ?? What is the situation IF each citizen chooses which US LAWS s/he is going to obey?!

I am NOT aware of any LEGAL provision for such selective obedience to the law – are you? Yes, there is the reality of ILLEGAL protect of US Laws and that strategy has been used since before our US Constitution as the colonists protested the British Laws. Is this the MOST productive way to go? What do you think?

First and foremost, I DISagree with STAN that the US CENSUS does NOT exceed the provisions of our US Constitution written in 1787! COME ON, STAN, do YOU really advocate that we require that ALL LAWS must be provided for DIRECTLY in the US Constitution written in 1787? I dare to assert that YOU do NOT! What about an AIR FORCE? Doesn’t that exceed the SPEICIF LITERAL PROVISIONS of our US Constitution written in 1787?! What about all of the LAWS which are based on the “necessary & property” clause? The US Supreme Court upholds some and strikes down others. WHY not follow the judicial process, Stan? NOTE: The US Supreme Court has UPHELD the laws our US Congress has passed and have been signed by our US President vis-à-vis the CENSUS.

Second, IF you advocate CHANGE of the CENSUS, WHY are YOU not urging that your readers contact their representatives in our US Congress? It is the LAW vis-à-vis the CENSUS which NEEDS to be changed to achieve your goal for the US Congress as I read your statements.

Third, in the meantime, by urging that US CITIZENS NOT COMPLY with the LEGAL REQUIREMENTS of the 2010 US CENSUS, YOU are advocating that US CITIZENS break the FEDERAL LAW! Come on, Stan, YOU are NOT serious, are YOU?!

Fourth, I just read your column, “Census goes beyond Constitution” in yesterday’s Janesville Gazette (p. 8A, March 20, 2010) and YOU assert that THOMAS JEFFERSON would NOT agree with the modern census. I challenge your assertion! Have you recently had a séance with JEFFERSON or read a document by Jefferson which is NOT on the record in the literature on Jefferson? IF SO, please document. WHY do YOU choose to refer to Thomas Jefferson? What about the other key FOUNDERS, e.g., James Madison, Alexander Hamilton? What do the views of 18th century people have to do with the modern census. Have YOU actually read the US Constitution? You assert what the CONSTIUTION says about the census without reading the WHOLE provision, Stan!!!! Let me quote that brief statement about the “enumeration” (the word “census” is NOT used in the US Constitution!) – See US Constitution Article I, Section 2 – excerpt, “The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” NOTE: The Founders provided, WISELY, for providing for updating of the “enumeration” to provide for current needs of the republic! So, IF you want to change the US Census for 2020, starting advocating with your representatives in Congress, Stan and all. GO FOR IT!

In the meantime, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE 2010 US CENSUS… do NOT talk with me about patriotism IF you do NOT complete the 2010 US CENSUS form YOU receive with all deliberate speed ACCURATELY!

Remember, as YOU always say vis-à-vis elections, STAN, “IF you do NOT vote, YOU do NOT count!” This is TRUE with our 2010 US CENSUS, IF you do NOT file the census form, YOU do NOT count and YOUR local and state governments will SUFFER loss of resources, including needed $$$! So… JUST DO IT, STAN & ALL!

Here we go…

Mr. E.

John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of Janesville Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management.