Reader comments
Chaffetz wants postal workers to help conduct census

jp | 10:44 a.m. June 24, 2009

And let's have the homeless people of D.C. do the work of lawmakers, they're already there, plus it would take them off the streets (at least during the day)...it's a win-win, and more importantly, it would save us more than a few bucks.

Anonymous | 10:51 a.m. June 24, 2009

750000 temp jobs to assist families in need during the recession? Sounds like a good idea to me if they use some of the stimulus money intended to keep people working. I think Chaffetz just wants to make noise proving he is the hip player on the playground. If he had his way, nobody would be working except the wealthy.

Tab L. Uno | 10:53 a.m. June 24, 2009

While the idea of postal workers helping conduct the census might sound like an innovative idea, especially when it comes to the trust element (particularly with minorities), unfortunately, with all the news reporting on how financially strapped the Postal Service is, it doesn't seem like a very good idea to add to the burden of these individuals. There is more to census taking than meets the eye and danger as well. To jeopardize reliable postal service which is crucial with the United States commerce is too big a risk to take. It is better to specialize than to create the possibility of both postal service and the census becoming one big mess. It's better for the Census bureau to work with trusted community organizations and respected community leaders in low-income and minority communities than expand the duties and responsibilities of postal workers. At least Chaffetz is thinking outside the box.

Comments continue below

SLC gal | 11:30 a.m. June 24, 2009

I like my mail carrier. I'd gladly take working with him vs. an ACORN rep, who I'd probably want to throttle!

Seriously ACORN??? The same ACORN that is being investigated for voter fraud?

Thank you Jason, for once again, standing with and for the American people.

Helopilot | 11:37 a.m. June 24, 2009

Good idea, Jason, but all you've got going for you is common sense, good logic, and reason. The clowns in charge are not the least bit interested in saving money - quite the opposite -they are only interested in spending it and lining the pockets of their allies like ACORN. Those thugs are more than happy to accept our dollars to cook the books. Keep up the good work, though, try your best, and good luck.

IMN | 11:46 a.m. June 24, 2009

I also think that in concept it isn't a bad idea but I wonder what the postal carrier union has to say about it. It's just a little late in the game to start down a road that won't go very far.

L | 12:09 p.m. June 24, 2009

Maybe we could use the highway department workers who drive the snowplows too since it is not likely that it will be snowing (but could be) or use BLM & Forest Service firefighters since fire danger is not so high in April. Maybe we could use all politically elected people as they are bound to be sitting on their hands. Maybe we could let school out and use the teachers.

How long would my mail (that I do depend on) be delayed. Maybe the US could get a couple of days more interest by delaying checks.

From what I have heard the job consists more than just knocking on the door and asking how many people live here and does require some traing to assure that the data is uniform and can be combined. When you talk about Postal workers you seem to assume they are doing nothing. I suggest that Representative Chavez go to the mail sorting facility and spend a week ... some of those people may think it would be wonderful to get out of there and go take the census.

SORRY, I don't personally buy this proposal as a good idea.

economistxx | 1:18 p.m. June 24, 2009

Hmmm. . . don't postal workers already have jobs that they need to do? Wouldn't this put more stress on them perhaps making more "go postal?" When would they find the time to be trained on gathering this important data which is used to distribute federal funding? How can you increase their workload more than 100 percent and still expect to get your mail on time? Census workers have to pass tests specifically geared to understanding and collecting census data before they are even hired. Who says postal workers have the skills necessary collect data? This is a silly, poorly-thought out idea.

This is a great idea... | 1:25 p.m. June 24, 2009

Great Idea. Better than Acorn.

The Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now, or ACORN, has changed its name to Community Organizations International.

They got such a bad rap now, they are changing their name.

falcon's beak | 2:12 p.m. June 24, 2009

There is no doubt postal workers have plenty to do, yet they go by the house daily and it would not take much time to get the information. Mr. Chaffetz may not have power, but he can still stand up for what is right. This administration is gosh awful on the economy. Seems like everything is social engineering these days. Who knows maybe we will survive this.

T-money | 2:48 p.m. June 24, 2009

Chaffetz, it's a great idea, but with our current leaders I don't think it will float. Chaffetz, it's been good knowing you, I fear that this administration of censorship and bullying will soon be after your neck for trying to do whats right for America.
I can't wait to see the protests after Acorn fudges the census. Will we be protesting like the Iranians currently are when conservative votes are stolen through fraud? I sure will.
I'll be protesting tonight as ABC plants it lips on Obama's rear for a government-run infomercial.

Jynx | 3:02 p.m. June 24, 2009

Chaffetz' idea makes so much sense, it probably will be fought tooth and nail. After all, pro and con are opposites for Congress must be the opposite of progress.

Jim | 4:19 p.m. June 24, 2009

I love it! If my postman stopped to ask a question for the census, I'd be much more likely to talk to them then some stranger. The same person delivers my mail every day. And if I was gone they could leave a form for me to fill out and leave in my box for the next time. And if I didn't fill it out in a specified time, they could escalate it.

Delivery routes are aready formed, there are enough employees to get to each route and they'll make more money doing an extra task. Brilliant!

C ya ACORN.

Oh, and when was the last time one of our reps was thinking outside the box, looking to save money and getting the word out on national tv that we could do things better???

Go Jason go!

Ask postal workers | 4:28 p.m. June 24, 2009

Has anyone asked the postal employees if this is a good idea? Jason may want to do a little research before he starts hiring accountants to count all the money he will be spending.

Spoc | 5:03 p.m. June 24, 2009

June 15th from the New Jersey Star Ledger with regard to the USPS:

Amid a dramatic loss of business to email and a severe economic downturn, the U.S. Postal Service is reviewing 3,100 outlets nationwide to identify candidates for closure, postal officials said. In fiscal 2008 mail volumes were down 4.5 percent, or 9.5 billion pieces, with a 14 percent drop predicted in the current fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Officials said that since 2000, the number of full-time employees has fallen from 800,000 to 636,000, and 1,337 post offices and outlets have been shuttered.

1913 was a good year to get out of the buggy whip business when Ford started up its first assembly line. The postal business is changing and if the remaining carriers are overworked it is because they have had to cut so many jobs and it looks like more are on the way.

Notice he did not say they would do the whole job, just some data collection. They know the addresses and where people live and are already trusted Federal employees.

A logical conclusion.

Live long and prosper.

Jason rocks! | 5:28 p.m. June 24, 2009

Another good idea from Jason Chaffetz! Too bad the Democrats are dead set on their crooked pals in ACORN doing the vote count to ensure they get the results they want.

Maybe, when real live voters get fed up with the criminal activity in Congress and throw out all the Democrats (and the slightly less corrupt Republicans take over) some of Jason's ideas will have a chance of passing.

Meanwhile, keep trying.

I am proud to be a Utahn, and only wish that Jason represented me instead of Jimmy Matheson who talks like a blue dog here at home, but votes like a whipped dog whenever Speaker Pelosi tells him to.

Darius | 9:10 a.m. June 25, 2009

I heard this guy call it the "ACORN census". Anyone that dumb shouldn't be in congress. ACORN is one partner of 140000. It could also be called the Walmart Census...the State Farm Census...the County Governments of Nebraska Census. I worked for the Census and it was the toughest job I've ever had, with more pressure on workers than anywhere I've ever worked. BTW, ACORN CAN RECRUIT CENSUS WORKERS! oh, but so can Target and Budweiser and that sad Michelle Bachman. And so can you. They still have to take a test, be fingerprinted and pass a background check. It's not an easy process and not one to be taken as lightly as Mr. Chaffetz thinks.

Micah | 10:28 a.m. June 25, 2009

ACORN frightens me - why would we leave such an important task to an entity that doesn't seem to care about following the laws when it comes to another important task - you know, voting?!

Ray1 | 11:13 a.m. June 25, 2009

Most of the census organizational headache and cost is the temp hiring process, and as "Darius" above mentioned, the Background checks and fingerprinting for 750000 census workers. LETS USE THE ALREADY VETTED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES - POSTAL WORKERS. I think its a great idea. ACORN aside, this about responsible & creative problem solving. As a nation we need to stop throwing money at every problem. Hiring temps does not create jobs, thats economically absurd. There is no boost to GDP - no product or service is acctually created - its an expense and another drain to a draining economy. Good plan Jason, at least kudos for thinking out of the box

DON JUNE 25TH | 1:36 p.m. June 25, 2009

MOST CITIZENS SEEM TO FORGET THAT THERE IS A SURPLUS OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES THAT CONGRESS WANTS TO TERMINATR THROUGH ATTRITION RATHER THAN FIRING THEM. SECOND THOUGHT --THE POSTAL EMPLOYEES ALREADY KNOW WHERE ALL THE REAL CITIZENS ACTUALLY LIVE. THIS IS THE BEST SOLUTION TO A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT I EVER HEARD. WE ALSO ALREADY KNOW THAT ACORN IS A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION. PLUS,,SINCE THE POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERS 50% OF EVERY YEARS MAIL DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER WITHOUT ADDING EXTRA EMPLOYEES THIS ADDED TASK WILL JUST FILL OUT THEIR YEARS WORK WITHOUT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL EMPLOYES. THE POSTAL EMPLOYEES SHOULD HANDEL ANY CENSUS THAT WE EVER NEED.

T.G.Reisig | 8:53 a.m. July 18, 2009

My husband works for the Post Office in Gering, Ne. They are short handed enough without adding more to the ones that are working to deliver your mail. My husand is working over time, V-time and night differial now. This will not help them out. I don't know about Utah, but in our area they are short handed, and laying off carriers (TE) and will not be hiring anybody in the near future. If anything have the Post Master and the Supervisors do the Census, they don't do anything anyway. All my husband does now is wake up go to work, come home and eats than goes to bed. There is no time for family or anything else.

If you want them to do this than make the Post Office hire more people.

There will be a delay with your mail by a day or two because of this stupid idea.

I want this people who agree with this to take a day in the shoes of my husband and than see if it's a good idea. I bet they won't.

Lew Jeppson | 9:25 a.m. July 18, 2009

Speaking as one who has done sample surveys professionally, the big issue with the Census is quality control. Meaning no disrespect to Post Office employees, but to have them do something so different from their regular duties is to throw quality control out the window. The representative obviously has little respect for the Census, but he needs to understand the Census is used not only by government but is used by the private sector to an enormous degree. The Census must be a high quality controlled task.

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