Census citizenship
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s suggestion to include the question of citizenship in the 2020 Census. The basis of his lawsuit is that the Constitution is very clear that all people living in the United States at the time of the Census are to be counted. It is a “snapshot” in time of all people living in the United States — where they live and sleep most of the time, without regard to citizenship. Questions asked include age, sex, race, relationship and home ownership status. The data help to determine the make up of the U.S. House of Representatives based on population of each state. It also helps to determine just how much of the government’s budget will be allocated to each of the states based on population to fund public education, roads bridges, drainage and flood control. Also it provides vital information to other planning decisions, such as emergency preparedness and disaster recovery.
In modern times, the Census has become a treasure trove of demographic information for statisticians to pour over to publish statistics about who we are and where we live and the movements that have taken place. Now Donald Trump’s administration has suggested that a citizenship question be asked. This is a sensitive issue to many who are in this country illegally and who might fear subject to deportation if they report. Fearing answering a citizenship question may have them decide to not participate in the Census, which would mean that there would not be an accurate count of noses.
If so, some regions would be left with less government funding and congressional representation, like Texas. This could be consequential for political majorities in Congress. With the Hispanic community, increasing in numbers and often voting Democratic, this group is becoming more of a threat to Donald Trump and his Republican party could be the reason for proposing the citizen question. The citizenship question is unnecessary to ask to fulfill the obligations of the Constitution.
Manolo Garibay, Mission
Gun rights debated
Ned Sheets recent letter was devoid of statistics, and he told us it would be, because the statistics are not in favor of gun control. Where are the worst statistics of firearm violence? In Chicago, Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., areas that have some of the strictest gun control laws. Gun control really works well doesn’t it? The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. That worked in a school in Maryland recently. These are the facts that gun control freaks want to avoid. As a member of the OWLS, we support the Second Amendment.
Jim Barnes, Mission
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Ode to youth. Ode to energy and vitality. #MARCHFORLIFE.
Take their place and take over for the Baby Boomer generation. Will they stand up to the blowback? Institutionally. Or give up and go to the beach? Or will they follow through and take their rightful place? Do they have the commitment, collectively? I believe they do! #imrootingforyouforus.
Felipe Garcia, Edinburg
