The Census

I do not know enough psychology to understand the paranoia of the extreme right wing, and I must say that what pushes their fear button frequently amazes me. Even more amazing is the fact that their illogical clamber seems to influence people who should know better. I recently heard someone who is usually rational complaining about the census as though it was part of some nefarious government conspiracy to take over our lives. Perhaps a bit of history will help me understand this fear.

The first census under our Constitution was taken in 1790. Of course we all know how autocratic our founding fathers were. President George Washington was even accused of wanting to be the king. That must be why he wanted a census taken. Planning you say? Roads and mail delivery you say? Nonsense! The right wing knows it was all about taxes and big government. Forget the first ten amendments. Yes, they did restrict the government and guarantee fundamental rights to the people of this country. But did you know that one of those amendments provided for the separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson supported and campaigned for the first ten amendments, including the separation of church and state. He was also involved in establishing the census. What a terrible, Godless, man he must have been! So let’s all panic. This nefarious plot hatched by our founding fathers has been tolerated far too long, and we can all see how dangerous it has been to our freedom.