When you become a grown-up American, there are certain things you do because you live in this country.The census is one of those things.

Our founding fathers decided that it would be a good idea to find out every 10 years how many people live within our borders.This is something that is appropriate when you have a representational form of government.

But why do so many people argue and whine about the census?I’ve heard all kinds of discussion about how the census can be used to ferret out certain nationalities and religions.Conspiracy theories abound.People are quick to take up offense at whatever word is used to ask about race.I’ve heard the census called intrusive and frightening.

Now, I know that people who read this newspaper and my column tend to be law-abiding people who understand the purpose of a census.It takes only a few minutes to answer the questions, not a lot of time for those of us who think nothing of spending hours watching television or taking care of a farm on Facebook.I don’t expect I can change the minds of anyone who is obsessed with conspiracies, and who thinks the government has a nefarious purpose for the gathered information.Aside from the fact that it’s the law, and, I believe, my civic obligation to send in my census form, here is why I have gladly participated in the 2010 census.

I know someone well who has become a supervisor in a Census office.She told me some of the safeguards used to protect personally identifying information.This includes an embargo on cell phones in the office, window blinds turned so that no one can see desktops from the outside, and protocols for any number of contingencies.

They have to take oaths that they will protect this information forever, enforceable by fines and/or jail time.The information is not available to anyone for any reason other than those set out by law in the Constitution, for 72 years.

I looked up the latest census released after 72 years, and found it quite emotional to catch a little glimpse of my mother’s family in that awful year 1930.The census was conducted door-to-door, and answers were written by hand on the form.

They asked questions I now find interesting about home ownership and value, along with place of birth, the languages spoken under that roof, and if there was a “radio set.”

There were no big revelations, but it was fascinating to picture my grandmother, probably with the youngest of seven children, baby Winnie on her lap, answering the questions of the census taker in her kitchen on West Steel Street, in Butte, Mont.

In 2072, my great grandchildren will be able to look up the Luzzis of Bothell, to see that their grandpa was a teenager in 2000.Am I the only one who thinks that’s pretty cool?

Patty Luzzi has lived on the Eastside for 32 years. Readers can contact her at pattyluzzi@yahoo.com.