THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2009
Making Children Agents of the State
The US census, as defined in the Constitution, is a ten-year event defined for the sole purpose of determining the population of the United States. The census or enumeration is necessary to apportion legislative districts for the election of representatives to the US House of Representatives.
That was the original purpose. Now with the State firmly rooted in all phases of society it determines much more; hundreds of billions of dollars more. And since no one -- schools, police departments, highway departments, prisons, aid programs, etc. -- wants to lose one dollar of funding, they will do anything to be sure the census numbers for their areas are as high as possible.
So it should come as no surprise that our Government has chosen the route used by all Governments who have become totally obsessive about control of their populations -- conditioning children to be willing pawns of the State. The slow encroachment of the State on local schools is the first step. It really began after the Civil War with the advent of public education. The selling of the idea that every child had a 'right' to an education and that only the State could adequately provide such an education. A good cover story for those who envisioned a one-culture society imbued with the ideas of nationalism and empire. Since then, we have gone from local control of our children's education to education directed and controlled from Washington.
The Government's latest program is titled, "It's all about us - 2010 Census in Schools." Like all Government programs, this program has someone in charge: Renee Jefferson-Copeland, Chief of the Census schools program. As with all Government programs it has a benign story and motive. As Ms. Copleand states, "It's great to reach the children because children are such strong voices in their homes." It goes without saying whose words she wants to put in these children's mouths.
Now we all know the State leaves nothing to chance with its programs. As they found during the last Census, just providing information and website information doesn't ensure your propaganda gets disseminated properly. This Census, things are much better organized.
Between January and March, the Census Bureau will help plan a week of Census education in schools. During Census Week, teachers will devote 15 minutes every day for five days to the topic by discussing such things as civic participation, confidentiality or geography. Beginning in mid-March, more than 120 million Census questionnaires will be delivered to residential addresses.
And just to make sure no one is missed, there is the following for preschoolers:
The Census Bureau is partnering with Sesame Street to extend the 2010 Census message to preschoolers and adult caregivers. Under consideration: Using Sesame Street characters on Census materials and having characters participate in school events and public service announcements.
Now it could be said that this effort by the Census Bureau is a simple, honest program designed to do things such as promote Head Start school readiness for low-income children and their families. Historically, these Head Start families have been undercounted and that has a negative effect on their communities. (Translation: Not enough of your tax dollars.)
It could also be said, given the 150 plus years of evolution of the State in education that this will continue to evolve into more 'public service' actions. Things such as pushing vaccines, protecting the Homeland, support for taxation, or educating parents on the need to serve America above all else. The opportunities are as limitless as politicians in Washington and you can be sure none of these programs will stress the Individual, Rights of the Individual nor the ideas of limited Government.