To the Editor:

Recently, the Washington Daily News had a front-page article which addressed the concerns of U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield regarding the possible “fairness” of potential changes to the U.S. Congressional voting districts as a result of the 2010 national census. Since the state legislatures have the responsibility to redraw voting districts based on population, his concern seems to imply that the recently elected North Carolina state Legislature, Republican-controlled, may not be “fair.” However, it should be noted that “gerrymandering” congressional voting districts by state legislatures has historically, and probably will continue, to be a political practice used by both major political parties, Republican and Democrat, to their respective political advantage. Stated differently and to quote Mr. Obama, “elections have consequences.” Also, it seems to me that if the Democratic Party had retained control of the North Carolina Legislature, Mr. Butterfield would not have any “fairness” concerns, and that his real concern is not about the public interest but only his self-interest.

Also, if the Washington Daily News wishes to address some real concerns with the 2010 national census, perhaps the reporter should question why citizenship was not included in the census information request or what steps are being made, if any, to exclude data provided by non-citizens, particularly since the population data will be used to reallocate the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the states. In effect, without some adjustment to the data, and reflecting that an estimated 15 to 20 million people are in the U.S. illegally, it is probable that the census data will provide disproportionate voting power to those areas of the country that condone, or provide sanctuary, for illegal immigrants. Also, the census data will be used to allocate federally-funded entitlement programs. While the census information request included, in many cases, required responses regarding age, sex, race, housing status and ownership, etc., it failed to include citizenship information. As some may recall, the Obama administration, in an unprecedented move, assumed control over the administration of the 2010 census. Moreover, it is my opinion that the manner in which the census was administered by the White House will result in depriving U.S. citizens of a portion of their political rights and unfairly allocate federal entitlement funds.

As an aside, my concerns were conveyed to both the White House and to U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan during the census period; neither responded. A census official did respond, as follows: “good question.” Overall, I tend to believe the census was intended to properly allocate seats in the U.S. House of Representatives based on the population of its citizens. Failure to do so by the Obama administration was either intentional, for political purposes, or a continuing series of incompetent actions by the current White House.

E.A. KNOBELSPIESSE

Chocowinity