California would lose FIVE seats in Congress Under Census Change (Montclair: 2009, health insurance)

[18Montclair]

A GOP Senator is proposing that the Census only count US Citizens.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/us.../28census.html

Sounds like taxation without representation to me.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

A GOP Senator is proposing that the Census only count US Citizens.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/us.../28census.html

Sounds like taxation without representation to me.

They're welcome to leave if they don't like it.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

A GOP Senator is proposing that the Census only count US Citizens.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/us.../28census.html

Sounds like taxation without representation to me.

Say what? Since when do people in this country illegally deserve representation equal to legal citizens in the same or another state? Now that smacks of misrepresentation.

Perhaps the illegals need to return to their country of origin for true representation. Oh wait, that would be some third world banana republic that that can't manage to form a legitimate long term government, let alone a sustainable economy. Oh wait, that's why they're coming here-and eventually dragging our country toward third world status.

What's wrong with this picture?

Taxation without representation? Gimme a break!

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

They're welcome to leave if they don't like it.

I've actually seen stats which show that non-citizens who have been in the US for over 20 years are on average significantly wealthier than native citizens. They are a more desirable demographic than even native born citizens.

I think its because they appreciate being here more.

Anyway, I'll never understand SoCal xenophobia.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Say what? Since when do people in this country illegally deserve representation equal to legal citizens in the same or another state? Now that smacks of misrepresentation

Permanent Residents are NOT in the US illegally. They just arent citizens but their status is totally legal and can be as such for as long as they choose.

Jump the gun much?

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

They're welcome to leave if they don't like it.

If they did, we would be infinitely poorer. Just to give one example, I can't tell you how many talented musicians we would lose if all of the ones who haven't gotten their green cards (it's a 13 year wait!) all left.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

If they did, we would be infinitely poorer. Just to give one example, I can't tell you how many talented musicians we would lose if all of the ones who haven't gotten their green cards (it's a 13 year wait!) all left.

Not to mention scientists, intellectuals, artists, innovators in business etc.

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

I think it's unlikely this will pass because it would negatively affect a range of states, from liberal to conservative. For example, Texas is looking forward to gaining three seats in Congress; if this passes, they'll only get one new seat.

Ultimately, the Census is supposed to count everybody, not just the residents that David Vitter approves of.

[esmith143]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

I've actually seen stats which show that non-citizens who have been in the US for over 20 years are on average significantly wealthier than native citizens. They are a more desirable demographic than even native born citizens.

Curious if true, but not particularly telling. Very few legal immigrants remain non-citizens for 20 years. One of the reasons is that, if you intend to retire here, you want Medicare (health insurance for non-eligible retirees is incredibly expensive, could be more than $1000/month), and you aren't eligible for Medicare unless you're a citizen.

Your source may have said that immigrants (regardless of citizenship) who've been here for over 20 years are wealthier than native citizens, that is quite probable.

[esmith143]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Permanent Residents are NOT in the US illegally. They just arent citizens but their status is totally legal and can be as such for as long as they choose.

Problem is, about half of all non-citizen residents of California are here illegally. Census Bureau asks people about their citizenship status, but does not ask whether they are in the country legally (nor would they get honest answers to such a question, even if they did ask). So it's the lesser of two evils. You either include all immigrants, including illegals, or you exclude all immigrants.

Maybe they'll come up with a proposal that combines census & USCIS data to estimate the number of legal residents.