Census and Sensibilities....

For some of you who follow my facebook page, you will be aware that I haven't filled out my census form (or more to the point, gone online to fill it out). It is the law, and it is fairly important for Statistics Canada that I fill it out. After all, the demographic information collected helps governments of all levels provide services, and glean information that can be used for decades to come.

I've had 2 calls from the Gov't of Canada about this matter, and frankly, I'm a bit perturbed. While I fully recognize the fact that information needs to be gathered, I'm disturbed at the seemingly heavy handed approach of the gov't in pressuring me to give them the information which for the most part, THEY ALREADY KNOW. They know where I live, my race, and religion--they know my income, taxes paid, or not paid. With a little bit of digging, they can find out where I went to university, etc. All this information is stored, or unwittingly volunteered to our friendly government...and with all of this information at their disposal...they still want me to surrender up MORE information?

Frankly...it offends me and my sensibilities and speaks of a government that might know just a bit too much about me for my own good. So I think I'll keep my census form unfilled for a little bit longer--just to see how the coercive the coercive power of the government can get...

Now, on to something else. I've decided to do something different. While I hate to take my advice from a sitcom, especially Seinfeld...I've decided to follow the example of George Costanza in the episode "The Opposite". In it, Costanza decides to do the opposite of what he'd normally do, all to great results!!

Now, I'm not saying I'm going to go that far....but I'm been approaching certain aspects of my life in the same way...and it's not exactly working. Soooooooo....I'm going to do the opposite, or do things differently enough to the point where I won't be acting the way I normally do (but it will be a concious decision)....and we shall see what happens!!