Gargoyle – Photo: L. Weikel
Don’t Embolden the Dark Side
This is my 666th post. That fact didn’t actually click in my head until just now as I started to write this evening’s communiqué. But of course, as soon as I realized it was number ‘666,’ my imagination started running wild. But in the end? The message I want to leave you with is, “Don’t embolden the Dark Side.”
First of all, much as you might automatically assume otherwise, this isn’t a political statement. Nor is it a warning not to mess with forces about which you may have little knowledge. (Although I would be remiss if I didn’t mention in passing that you really shouldn’t assume the Dark Side is a myth. Power can be abused and people dabble in stuff they’re clueless about far too often. It is dangerous. It’s not a joke. But that’s not the subject of tonight’s post in spite of its number!)
Your Participation Matters
It is, however, an entreaty to do right by yourself and your community by submitting your Census information as soon as possible. For now, we have until September 30th to fill out our Census information – so don’t be disempowered by thinking (a) it’s too late; or (b) it’s not important.
The U.S. Census is conducted only once every ten years. The anonymous information gathered is critical to securing funding for all sorts of critical infrastructure support. If you’re not counted, policy decisions may be made at various levels of government that won’t be as accurate or helpful as they would be otherwise.
In other words: YOU MATTER.
And it is the Dark Side that would have you think you might be in danger by filling out the form. It’s the Dark Side that would try to scare or intimidate you into thinking you shouldn’t be counted. Or that you don’t matter. If you don’t stand up and allow yourself to be counted, the Dark Side will have succeeded in making you INVISIBLE.
Think about it. Be logical. If you didn’t matter, then the Dark Side wouldn’t be trying to end the Census count sooner than usual. It wouldn’t be ending door-to-door canvassing earlier than usual (using the pandemic – which the Dark Side wants people to believe is a hoax – as an excuse). The Dark Side doesn’t want an accurate count.
It’s SO Easy
- You can fill out the form that came in the mail. It must be postmarked by 9/30/2020;
- You can call 844-330-2020 to file by phone in English, or 844-468-2020 to file by phone in Spanish;
- And EASIEST OF ALL: go online at my2020census.gov.
The Fight’s Not Over
Just last Friday a Federal judge blocked the Dark Side’s efforts to shut down the Census’s tabulations early. Why? Because the ramifications on communities is that big. Because shutting it down early is outright shenanigans. Getting an accurate count of who lives in our communities impacts so much more than most of us realize. And we’re ‘stuck’ with the numbers for ten whole years. That’s why this is a huge win!
But why wait? Take ten minutes right now and get the job done.
Don’t embolden the Dark Side. Oh. And another way you can thwart those forces? VOTE.
VOTE like your life depends on it.
Photo: L. Weikel
(T-445)
Thank you for reminding people to vote, fill out the census and squash the destructive bugs! Lantern flies will destroy our forests as surely as a fire! Wisihing all peace as we turn over logs and boards and squash the nymphs!
Sometimes it helps to focus our attention on the specific things we can do that are within our control. No matter what it is, there’s usually some small step we can take to contribute in a positive manner.