> We don't need to know the rest of it, or if we do, it should be surveyed separately with voluntary participation.

But we do. A detailed census is essential for making good policy. For example, knowing the age and distribution of children across the country helps local and state governments decide where to put the next school or children's hospital. The federal govt. allocates funds for education and daycare accordingly.

The census is the best and most important measure of govt. policy. Taking it away would leave everyone worse off.

The risks of abuse are too high and historically proven to happen eventually. There are many other ways to determine where schools and hospitals are needed, such as aggregate enrollment and admission statistics.