Census Bureau sending violent felons to our doors?
posted at 10:12 am on October 8, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Why does this sound so familiar?
A Senate Subcommittee hearing today revealed that nearly 36,000 Census Bureau employees were hired despite the fact that the fingerprint component of their criminal record checks was botched. Despite additional name checks recommended by the FBI, the GAO said that it was possible that more than 200 employees hired by the Census Bureau had criminal records, and were in contact with the public while canvassing for the ongoing 2010 census.
Robert Goldenkoff, the Government Accountability Office’s Director for Strategic Issues, said that the criminal record checks were bungled because of poor staff training. Bureau staff with less than 2 hours of training in fingerprinting ruined about a fifth of the 162,000 necessary criminal record checks.
If the properly processed criminal record checks are any indication, the Bureau may have let a large number of violent criminals slip through the cracks. Of the prints that were properly checked, about one percent, or 1,800 workers, had criminal records that name checks failed to identify.
Of these 1,800 workers with criminal records, about 750 had their employment terminated or further reviewed due to criminal records that included crimes like rape, manslaughter and child abuse. Projecting these numbers to the employees with spoilt prints, the GAO came up with the figure of 200 census workers that may have had serious criminal records.
This should ring a bell for readers of Captain’s Quarters. In 2004, Democrats used Americans Coming Together to conduct door-to-door voter registration drives, and ACT hired felons to knock on doors to persuade voters into becoming Democrats. Eventually the John Kerry campaign and the Democrats ended their association with ACT out of embarrassment.
Now, however, it looks like they’ve turned the Census Bureau into ACT all over again. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of turning Census Bureau workers away from our doors as we do with partisan community organizers. In their rush to hire, probably brought on in an attempt to alleviate the unemployment numbers (the money this year came from the stimulus package), the Census Bureau botched a process that private-sector employers routinely employ, and hired hundreds of felons to demand our personal information on our doorsteps.
Imagine how the Obama administration will handle hiring in the public-option health-insurance agencies …
Blowback
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This whole administration is like a buffet of screw-ups. A reagular smorgasbord of incompetence! The hits just keep on coming…
gryphon202 on October 8, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Was one of them named Willie Horton?
Rocks on October 8, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Interesting. I didn’t think they used inked fingerprint kits anymore.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:16 AM
We don’t have the luxury of turning them away??I will answer only the necessary ?? and show them the door come what may.
ohiobabe on October 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM
hmmmmm, I wonder what happens to thug census takers?
I remember reading about one some time back. I just can’t remember where I read it. hmmmmmmmm
Old Texan on October 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Dont forget that we’re suppose to tell these guys when we leave for work so they can case the joint only to return later. I’m so sick of this crap. I’m going to trespass the 1st one that knocks on my door.
Static on October 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Dont forget that we’re suppose to tell these guys when we leave for work
////
Yeah,they’re going to come down from detroit,pi$$ed they didn’t get their big buckeroos from gubmint!
ohiobabe on October 8, 2009 at 10:21 AM
That’s Gov’t for you. What made you think they were state-of-the-art or efficient? And you want them to control your health care?
Phil-351 on October 8, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I don’t get it. Why are you guys against the census? It’s the basis for estimating all kinds of things.
What’s the objection?
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Drink this bottle of Rum and here is a rag to chew during your surgery.
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:22 AM
…about 750 had their employment terminated or further reviewed due to criminal records that included crimes like rape, manslaughter and child abuse.
Yeah but was it rape rape?
redzap on October 8, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Oh well, Phil. That’s a given. No way am I going to be on private insurance once I’m eligible for Medicare. That’s just not realistic.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:23 AM
It is sort of funny in a terrible way that rapists applied for the jobs. (That’s just so…..chutzpha!)
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Where did that question come from? The comments thus far is how the government botches another thing. Not anti-census. Most of the census workers probably show up in less affluent areas. I have never had one come to the door.
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:25 AM
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:22 AM
No one is against the census. Everyone is against giving known criminals their private information. Everyone is against unknowingly hosting convicts in their house. The fact that you are misinterpreting this issue is scary.
canditaylor68 on October 8, 2009 at 10:25 AM
I’m missing the joke.
sammypants on October 8, 2009 at 10:26 AM
OK, gotcha.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Too bad they were not hollywood directors or actors so people would flock to their defense.
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Shuddddderrrrrr
canditaylor68 on October 8, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Census worker: “Thanks for the information. I will be back for a follow-up at 3AM to check out your property you have in this really nice house.”
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:28 AM
We don’t? What’s going to happen when I don’t answer my door in the first place?
Well, if it were just Name, household, race, age, fine. But it’s not. It’s HIGHLY invasive and I won’t be doing it.
Diane on October 8, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I bet the first question they ask is “Do you own a gun?”
lovingmyUSA on October 8, 2009 at 10:28 AM
The Constitutional requirement is an accurate count of the population every 10 years. Not how many minorities are in my house, how many gallons I flush, or the cars and distance I drive to work. That’s MY business, and mine alone. IF ANYONE shows up at my door with those idiotic questions, they will be met with silence.
(Although to be fair, I live in a relatively middle class neighborhood in a middle class suburb. Very few ‘minorities’ around, so I doubt anyone will come door-to-door in my neighborhood)
They can say it’s the law all they want, there is always the Fifth Amendment that trumps that.
Go ahead. Try me.
JamesLee on October 8, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Can this government do ANYTHING right????
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Better to just fill out that dang form, mail it in, and that way no one shows up on your doorstep.
JetBoy on October 8, 2009 at 10:29 AM
WOW, right over your head…..this has nothing to do w/the census. It has to do w/how it is being taken & the questions being asked. This census violates the constitution and USC Title codes. You should read up on what is going on.
http://www.censusrights.com
xler8bmw on October 8, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Any sentiments “against the census” could easily be attributed to the loss of confidence in this administration to act in the best interests of the entire nation.
Some people simply do not trust this administration.
And because “It’s the basis for estimating all kinds of things”, the lack of trust fosters a general sentiment against the validity of the process.
Put another way, what has this administration done to give anyone any confidence it can successfully manage anything, much less something as large as the census.
toenail on October 8, 2009 at 10:29 AM
I got the long form census.
I filled out only the constitutionally mandated information, how many people lived at my address, and sent it in. I got a phone call a few weeks later, where I politely but firmly told the guy that’s all the data I will give them. An hour later his supervisor took another run at me, same thing. Haven’t heard anything since, but I’m expecting a knock at my door in the near future.
Rebar on October 8, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Heh, they’ll have to mail me mine.
A census worker would have to jump the fence and brave two of my biggest bear hunting dogs to reach my front door to knock. And even then, I might not answer.
Sic em Girls.
MadDogF on October 8, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I’m still betting that the census workers won’t even make my white ass neighborhood. Why count whitey he don’t count?
JAW on October 8, 2009 at 10:30 AM
No first quetion is how many people live in residence and that’s all you legally have to answer per the constitution.
xler8bmw on October 8, 2009 at 10:31 AM
No, I own 2, soon to be 3.
MobileVideoEngineer on October 8, 2009 at 10:31 AM
That seems fair, although I don’t care if they know how many bathrooms I have.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Will the 2010 Census have a check box for Right Wing Extremists?
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I do when the number of bathrooms in the house effects your property tax bill.
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I don’t answer my door unless I know the person.
And most people I know, know to call before just stopping by.
I will answer only the constitunally mandated information as well..when I receive a form in the mail to fill out.
I look forward to them trying to harrass me for more information…even if I don’t have a thing to hide.
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Surely so….
Check your community organizations that you support…
ACORN
Angry Mob Member
Pink Code
Al Quaida Cell
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Gee I wonder how many of these newly fired census workers (with issues) will soon be serving in the White House as special advisors???
Perhaps we need a Crime Prevention Czar, a Burglary Prevention Czar, and a Sexual Assault Sensitivity czar.
kringeesmom on October 8, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Wouldn’t the states already know this information, keep house plans on file? I thought they did.
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I read once where some people are so stupid they don’t even suspect anything.
BuckeyeSam on October 8, 2009 at 10:37 AM
The Clinton administration hired hippies.
The Obama administration has hired dummies, the offspring of the Clinton Administration hippies.
fogw on October 8, 2009 at 10:37 AM
It’s probably not on a database that compiles.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:37 AM
government intrusiveness into our lives. I’m sick and tired of it.
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 10:38 AM
LOL* I might resemble that remark. I do tend to trust people.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Huh? Oh, yes, I do have that luxury.
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Felon Czar
LibTired on October 8, 2009 at 10:40 AM
You are correct, but for me there are some descrepencies that are NOT of my making. In all seriousness, I know this information would not make it from the Feds to my local assessor.
While on this subject, as I am always compelled to add, i REALLY HATE property taxes!!!
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:40 AM
LOL, you’re not alone there
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 10:41 AM
When I said “long form”, I mean it was long.
My opinion, 90% of the people who got the long form didn’t fill it out, not from any sense of the constitutionality of it, but because it was simple too much work.
Rebar on October 8, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Why not? The census is mandated, participation is not. What are they going to do if I refuse to cooperate?
If somebody shows up at my door, I will politely tell them that I’d be happy to participate just as soon as the filthy liar in the White House proves he was born in America- another Constitutionally mandated thing.
highhopes on October 8, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Is there an on-line version? I suppose it has to be signed.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:43 AM
While I am sure you are well aware that you can never truly own real estate in this country. Make sure you spread that message. Maybe in 20 years we can live in a country with this most evil of taxes, income being second.
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Not many people know that or understand that concept that we don’t really own our own property. You’re one the only other people on any board that knows that kudos.
xler8bmw on October 8, 2009 at 10:47 AM
No, I don’t own “A” gun.
[I stole that from Uncle Ted]
Blacksmith8 on October 8, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Your local assessor may have some of this information (mine actually wanted to come in and take pictures). The census is a little different because they glean such things as how many households have extended families all under one roof with a single bathroom or how many households are headed up by a single mother in a particular zip code.
This IMO, goes far beyond what the founding fathers envisioned. It’s just gathering data for the nanny state.
highhopes on October 8, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I think I own a school now or at least a wing of the building, after paying taxes for over thirty years. My school tax alone is in excess of $6,000 a year.
fogw on October 8, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Gee, why so concerned? What could go wrong?
WannabeAnglican on October 8, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Property taxes would be fine if it were only for the first year you own the property and that’s it. It’s really dumb that you are paying taxes on something that you already legally own. A straight consumption tax is the most fair tax that could be imposed.
MobileVideoEngineer on October 8, 2009 at 10:49 AM
AnninCA there is NOTHING funny about the government paying convicted rapists to come to our homes and forcing us to open the doors to them and give them all our personal info including when each member of the household leaves for work, so they know if/when we/.our kids are alone
I open the door for no one I dont know let them charge me with something
ginaswo on October 8, 2009 at 10:50 AM
You must live in IL.
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Can’t wait to see who the wise, all-knowing, all-seeing,all-effective, all-efficient, all-encompassing, all-benevolent government will appoint to handle my insurance claims when I’m kicked out of the private plan I have now and am forced onto it.
I’m sure these kinds of boongdoggles NEVER happen on a regular basis when you’re dealing with an entity as efficient, as meticulous and as just plain awesome as the government bureaucracy and their political paymasters in Washington.
Good Lt on October 8, 2009 at 10:51 AM
That’s funny…and probably true.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:51 AM
As a rape victim, Im missing the joke too.
becki51758 on October 8, 2009 at 10:52 AM
highhopes
michelle bachmann got some pushback when she said she would refuse to answer some of the questions on the form
it asks about mental health history
how far you drive to work
when you leave for work/get home
I am NOT opening the door for anyone without a warrant if I dont know them, my dogs scare most strangers away and then we have the 2nd Amendment as backup to the backup
ginaswo on October 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
So when the census worker asks what kind of TV I have, and when is the house vacant during the day, I shouldn’t answer?
right2bright on October 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
God Bless becki
ginaswo on October 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
That would be more like a consumption tax with that method, but as long as we have public schools, I would sure hate to see that tax rate (but it would must likely be better than property taxes since you could at some point not have a government lein on your property).:-/
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Good Lt working in private insurance as a supervisor, I had to be bonded. Clearly the govt has no such screening programs in place, I mean look at the Czars….
ginaswo on October 8, 2009 at 10:54 AM
oops* Wrong quote there.
Becki, so am I.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Let’s just hope that the rapists and murderers are the ones that knock on your door.
Blake on October 8, 2009 at 10:55 AM
You wouldn’t want the Obooboo administration to hire someone with no experience would you?
Blacksmith8 on October 8, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Tell the working all your TVs are broken due flying bricks resulting from Obama being on your TV too much.
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Jeesh*….that is giving strangers too much information
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I’m with you. My dogs do the same, and one of them, having been abused in her former life, if let go, will tear someone up. Might be fun to let her go..just once. lol~
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Thank you. Im still not getting the joke. NOTHING about rape or rapists in funny to me.
becki51758 on October 8, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Why thanks, Blake. I can always count on your goodwill. LOL*
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Read again. (Hint; felons hired to do census.)
Johan Klaus on October 8, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Well, bless you too. Now I really dont understand how you can joke about it. Mine happened yrs ago and it affected my life in many ways and still does sometime.
becki51758 on October 8, 2009 at 10:58 AM
My objection is spending one cent of taxpayer money on efforts to gather data that the Federal government is NOT legally allowed to gather. It begins with waste, then abuse and/or fraud, and ends with subjugation.
FREEDOM!
Blacksmith8 on October 8, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I did not receive any census forms. Maybe, it’s because I didn’t send them in last time. They repeatedly sent people out after me and threatened me, too. Finally, they asked my neighbor.
Blake on October 8, 2009 at 10:59 AM
This post needs to be updated with the Christopher Walken video from SNL when he talks to the census worker. Greatest census responses ever.
txlitigator on October 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM
“Interesting. I didn’t think they used inked fingerprint kits anymore.”
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Some places are still using ink because, either they can’t afford the new digital system, or the higher ups don’t consider it a priority. It took two years, maybe three, before our booking department finally had to update. I think the LEO’s were putting the heat on the higher-ups. Ink is time-consuming and very messy, but cheap.
What do you suppose the government would do if we ALL slammed our doors in their face. Better yet, open the door packing heat. It’s not like this fiasco is straight up anymore. It’s become a tool for the Dems.
hopefloats on October 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Oh, I just have a bizarre funny bone sometimes. You can’t make this stuff up, it’s so nutty.
AnninCA on October 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Unfortunately Ed Rendell rules the kingdom here, also home of Arlen the turncoat and Murtha the liar.
fogw on October 8, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Well, my property misery loves company. Anybody from NJ?
WashJeff on October 8, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I struggled to send my children and grandchildren to private schools and I still had to, and have to pay school taxes. At least my young’uns know history.
Johan Klaus on October 8, 2009 at 11:04 AM
A Census worker, an atheist, and a pacifist are sitting at a bar. Which one’s glass is half empty?
Rovin on October 8, 2009 at 11:05 AM
One of the first steps in the induction process, induction into the US armed forces is the process of being finger printed. It is common in these kinds of mass processing of individuals that random recruits are selected out of the pool of inductees to assist in the routine processing of paperwork.
The recruit that ‘took’ my finger prints clearly had no instruction into the proper method beyond which finger went into each box on the form. He had never been told, or had forgotten the point that your inked finger is ‘rolled’ across the appropriate box rather than just ‘touched’ to the spot on the form. As a result my official military finger prints are unreadable and unusable. This happened 50 years ago.
Sounds like government bureaucracy continues to make the same mistakes they have been making for fifty years. Nothing ever changes.
Skandia Recluse on October 8, 2009 at 11:05 AM
OH, how I wish we could all get our heads set on doing this. Also, what would happen if we refused to file federal income tax returns? Millions of us.
bridgetown on October 8, 2009 at 11:06 AM
MOST EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION EVER!
GarandFan on October 8, 2009 at 11:07 AM
I wonder if ACORN is truly out of the Census “business”, Ed.
Last weekend I was at an Oktoberfest in Germantown, MD. Among the many stands was one for the U.S. Census, with a woman behind the table spouting nonsense like, “If you’ve got two feet on the ground, and you’re in the United States, you should fill this out. It’s in the Constitution!”
When I corrected her about small details like legal residents and citizens only, and then mentioned ACORN, she interrupted with, “Just what is all this stuff about ACORN? Like, who cares?”
Lockstein13 on October 8, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I feel much more comfortable with government run health care now.
Big government always does the best of work.
jukin on October 8, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Not to be nit-picky here as it might be an error on the story writer’s part, but canvassing for the 2010 census is, by law, not to start until 1 April 2010.
Dusty on October 8, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Gee, I jst have this little thingy about giving all my information to a convicted felon. Would you like me to invite them for tea?
katy the mean old lady on October 8, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I cannot believe someone would laugh at a rapist applying for a job and then coming stealthily to someone’s door with the government’s approval. No matter what sort of giddy mood you’re in, that is just sick.
I used to think you were ditzy, but with comments like this I think you are a sleazy, cold-hearted troll.
conservative pilgrim on October 8, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Here’s the law. According to the page this is current as of January 8, 2008 but no changes have been recorded in the classification updates for this Section.
Dusty on October 8, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I was going to say this, but I thought everyone here minus the trolls already knew it…in effect the best you can do is rent land from the government and hope like crazy they don’t take it away.
Dark-Star on October 8, 2009 at 11:14 AM
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