GOP Sends Letter Appearing To Be Census Form

[Amerigo Vespucci]

GOP Sends Letter Appearing To Be Census Form

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/26/gop-sends-letter-appearin_n_436712.html

STEVEN K. PAULSON | 01/25/10 06:46 PM | AP



DENVER — The Republican Party is seeking input and money from GOP voters – seemingly under the guise of the U.S. Census Bureau.

"Strengthening our Party for the 2010 elections is going to take a massive grass-roots effort all across America. That is why I have authorized a Census to be conducted of every Congressional District in the country," GOP Chairman Michael Steele says in a letter mailed nationwide.

The letter was sent in plain white envelopes marked "Do Not Destroy, Official Document." Labeled "2010 Congressional District Census," the letter uses a capital "C," the same as the Census Bureau. It also includes a "Census Tracking Code."

The letter makes a plea for money and accompanies a form asking voters to identify their political leanings and issues important to them. There are no disclaimers that participation in the GOP effort is voluntary; participation in the government census is required by law. Failure to participate carries a $5,000 fine, though it is rarely enforced.

Sara Sendek, a Republican National Committee spokeswoman, said the letter was not an attempt to mislead voters.

[T Wolf]

1. Of course they are trying to "mislead voters" with this bullshit. They are hoping that less

educated persons will get pissed at the request for money, thinking that it is required.

Then, when the real census comes in the mail or shows up at their door, they will refuse to participate.

It is nothing but an effort to further game the redistricting that will happen following the Census.

[Brickbat]

2. They realize that there are plenty of GOP "Tea Party" types who are teaching their constituents to

hate and fear the census, right? So they'll probably ignore this along with the real census.

[rucky]

3. Can they do anything on the up-and-up?

[gratuitous]

5. Short answer: No

Lying, deceit, subterfuge and misdirection are all they have. An honest breakdown of Republican ideals and principles would be so odious that no one outside the Big Tent of the haves and the have mores would ever vote for them. And you don't win elections with 8-10% of the vote. Yet.

[progressoid]

4. Fucking amazing.