Please complete and return your form

Almost a month ago, my census form arrived. I remember it this time, probably because all the census conversation, research and articles written since late fall — and the note from the Census Bureau telling me it was coming — had me waiting for it to arrive.
I watched the mailman deliver the mail that day, and I was at the mailbox before he could get past the house next door. I was surprised to find the census form, but opened it first.
The ads say — 10 questions, 10 minutes — but I'm sure it didn't take that long. Once it was securely in the envelope, I drove to the nearest mailbox and dropped it in. I don't think 10 minutes elapsed from delivery to returning it to the post office.
For about a week afterward, I joked that my form had to be the first one to make it back and felt I should get an award for returning it so promptly. It's too late to be first — and no, I didn't get a prize — but we still need everyone to complete and return your form. 
Participation in the counting process is very important for neighborhoods and  communities. Money is allocated and services provided based on the number of people in a geographic area. More people counted translates to more funding for police and other emergency services. If the number of children in your area has increased, an accurate count means the school board, local government and the state government can plan and secure funding for upgraded or replacement schools, recreation facilities and summer programs. If the number of people over 65 has increased, more dollars will be allocated to address the needs of senior citizens in the area.
Please complete and return your form.
Political power from the local to the federal level is determined by where the census shows people are located. When local voting districts lines are drawn, the goal is to create groupings with approximately equal numbers of people. If fewer are counted, there are fewer districts, which means less representation in government. It means less say in how things are done.
Please complete and return your form.
Now,  as a person who values privacy and would prefer to stay off the government radar, it felt a little strange to fill out that form. Name, address, birth date, race and a few more snippets of information were all that was needed, so I managed without too much consternation. Truthfully, anyone afraid of the government being able to find them, shouldn't worry about the census information helping. The Census Bureau mandate is that all information is confidential, even from other branches of government. But more importantly, there are easier ways to find you then tracking down census information, like grocery store discount cards.
Please complete and return your form.
For the last 10 years, cities across the country — including Baltimore, Md. and Washington, D.C. — have suffered the effects of an undercount, the loss of approximately $10,000 per person not counted. And while the loss of these funds is not at the heart of the fiscal mess these cities are in the midst of, it was surely a contributor. And in the case of Baltimore, the loss of representation in Maryland's General Assembly reduced the delegation's negotiation power, which exasperated the funding issues.
To reverse this tide, we need everyone to step up and be counted. We need everyone to take the time — do it during commercial breaks, they are so long that during an hour of television watching you can finish the entire thing. Take pride in completing your form and sending it back. Be excited about doing your civic duty for yourself, neighbors, district, city and state, and about keeping a census counter from showing up at your door.
Please complete and return your form.
In five census periods witnessed, I don't recall the Census Bureau, federal and local legislators, civic groups, churches and news organizations ever making such a massive push to advertise and promote the importance of being counted. All these people want and need to see it done right this time. The urgency of their efforts should be an indication of its importance. Please let that move you to act.
Please complete and return your form.

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