Census Workers Feel Americans' Anger at the Collapse

June 21 (LPAC)—Today's Washington Post describes 2010 Census takers experiencing Americans' aroused anger at Wall Street and Washington. The Census itself reports that, with three weeks still to go in the house-visit phase of the decennial count, 378 serious incidents of "threats or assaults" on Census takers (including one death), by human beings, have already been reported — compared to 181 incidents in the entire 2000 Census.

Furthermore, the newspaper recorded anecdotal reports from many Census workers emphasizing the extremely strong anti- government anger directed at them, and its reflection of unemployment, foreclosure, impoverishment. "There's so much anger and bitterness, with people losing their homes and their jobs," said employee Douglas McDonald, who, like many others, quit the job though he needed the work. "They're not too fond of the government. They don't want to talk to you." McDonald said he "wasn't prepared for the level of anti-government fervor" he encountered.

Another employee, Sherri Chesney, told the paper she was cursed, spat at, and had patio furniture thrown at her during numerous follow-up visits in Houston. She also quit, fearing for her life. Such examples were multiplied throughout nearly a full-page story.