Because Democrats need votes
- Thread starter Diogenes
- Start date
Looks like Steve Ferguson needs to read the Constitution.
The Constitution mandates a decennial census to count the population of the United States for the purpose of apportioning representatives and direct taxes among the states. Specifically, Article I, Section 2, states that the census should include all persons, not just citizens, ensuring that representation reflects the total population.
Congress could pass laws adding questions (e.g., about citizenship status) or improving data collection, as long as they don't interfere with the full enumeration. (A citizenship question was blocked for 2020 on administrative grounds, not constitutionality.)
The methodology has changed several times but mostly on how to categorize race and ethnicity.
Many of these people work and pay some taxes. They contribute to society so why shouldn't they be counted?No reason why citizenship shouldn't or couldn't be added . . . unless
How many? How much do they pay?
You don't know, because all anyone has are "estimates" that vary wildly. We don't even know how many foreigners are in the country.
I don't recall saying they shouldn't be counted. I want them counted - as non-citizens.
The biggest one is sales tax. I don't know of anyone who can get away with not paying it.
Quit dodging.
You don't know, because all anyone has are "estimates" that vary wildly. We don't even know how many foreigners are in the country.
I never said I knew how much they paid, just that they did. You're arguing for the sake of arguing.
So, you say they work and pay taxes, but can't even say how many there are, or how much (or how little) they "contribute".
So much for "everyone must pay their fair share", huh?
You said don't know either. Is it fair if someone pays into social security but will never be able to collect it?
Yes, if they weren't in the country legally.
Legally documented non-citizens pay FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes) when they work in the U.S., (there are specific exemptions for certain temporary nonresident aliens).
Those who pay in can potentially receive Social Security benefits (the retirement, disability, and survivors program funded by FICA) if they are lawfully present and meet the standard eligibility rules—citizenship is not required.
But illegals? Nope. Nor should they.
Undocumented status, informal work, identity mismatches (often with stolen or forged ID) make it impossible to calculate their "contributions".
OTOH, the amount paid out in taxpayer-funded benefits is easily verifiable.