The Census is invasive, says Michigan

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

It takes more time and money to narrow it down to those who didn't mail it back than it takes to just alert everyone who received it in the first place.

I was watching a news story on the Census follow up letters and how it cost $64 million to send them out.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I was watching a news story on the Census follow up letters and how it cost $64 million to send them out.

Are you surprised?

Now how much time and money would it take to wait for everyone to send it back...whenever they sent it back, allow a grace period, figure out who didn't return it and THEN send follow-up postcards?

Small-time survey researchers sometimes wait to check addresses off of a list before following-up with a postcard. I wouldn't expect the Census massive survey researchers and employees to do that.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Are you surprised?

Not at all, but $64 mil just for one set of follow up letters...damn. I'm familiar with how the typical U.S. Government agency works and efficiency isn't exactly a high priority.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Not at all, but $64 mil just for one set of follow up letters...damn. I'm familiar with how the typical U.S. Government agency works and efficiency isn't exactly a high priority.

Efficiency (as far as outsiders can comprehend it) isn't exactly a high priority for most bureaucracies that have red tape, etc.

One thing is certain, people will always find something to critique.