American Community Survey

[Number19]

Has anyone first hand experience confronting the Census Bureau over this intrusive survey? Or even second hand accounts?

Going back to December, I've ignored all written communication arriving in the mail. Today they called my home and left a message on my answering machine to contact them.

Does anyone have any insight into how far they will take this? Will they actually attempt to fine you, up to $5000? Will they garish your salary?

There is no need for general comments on the census or the constitutionality of this survey. I'm interested in real life experiences.

[oyarde]

Has anyone first hand experience confronting the Census Bureau over this intrusive survey? Or even second hand accounts?

Going back to December, I've ignored all written communication arriving in the mail. Today they called my home and left a message on my answering machine to contact them.

Does anyone have any insight into how far they will take this? Will they actually attempt to fine you, up to $5000? Will they garish your salary?

There is no need for general comments on the census or the constitutionality of this survey. I'm interested in real life experiences.

They called you after they mailed it ?

[QueenB4Liberty]

What does it ask?

[TheDriver]

Has anyone first hand experience confronting the Census Bureau over this intrusive survey? Or even second hand accounts?

Going back to December, I've ignored all written communication arriving in the mail. Today they called my home and left a message on my answering machine to contact them.

Does anyone have any insight into how far they will take this? Will they actually attempt to fine you, up to $5000? Will they garish your salary?

There is no need for general comments on the census or the constitutionality of this survey. I'm interested in real life experiences.

Yes, they've been trying to get me to fill it out, and I've flatly refused. I received multiple mailings, and had several visits from different Census workers.

I clearly told them I was not interested in being a part of their survey.

Of course, they claim it's for all these great socialistic reasons, but I just said: no thanks.

It's been over one-month since the last visit. I've basically dared them to "fine" me, as research has indicated it's very rare, if not impossible to get fined. I would welcome the publicity to be one of the first ones "charged" or fined. LOL!

[TheDriver]

What does it ask?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-acs-american-community-survey.htm

[sparebulb]

We received one of these surveys well over a year ago. After only filling out the information that we would have provided for a regular census, we turned it back in. We were called by the census people and tried to get me to answer all of the blank info on the phone. I refused and have heard nothing since.

[TheDriver]

One funny tid-bit:

Upon the last visit, the lady said: I don't work for Obama.

I didn't know whether to laugh or be insulted.

[Number19]

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-acs-american-community-survey.htm

After my initial post I ran across this excellent site. Here is a link to another page of the site answering the question, "Do I have to respond to the ACS?" : http://www.wisegeek.com/do-i-have-to-respond-to-the-acs.htm

It may be that as many as 45% of recipients of this survey may not respond. You can also expect to be harassed with phone calls and visitations. But it also seems as if there has never been, or certainly no history of, convictions or penalties.

It also seems to be the case that those who engage in some form of protest or other contact may be harassed to a greater extent than those who totally ignore all solicitation.

So I'll continue my current course of inaction.

[oyarde]

One funny tid-bit:

Upon the last visit, the lady said: I don't work for Obama.

I didn't know whether to laugh or be insulted.

Well who does she work for ? : )

[nev]

Has anyone else received the unconstitutional ACS? Supposedly answering is required by law - Title 13 Sections 141, 193, and 221. This beast is pretty intrusive.

[sparebulb]

Has anyone else received the unconstitutional ACS? Supposedly answering is required by law - Title 13 Sections 141, 193, and 221. This beast is pretty intrusive.

The ACS is a beast that just won't die. If you do a search on the subject here, you will have all of the information that you need to help you decide what to do. I received mine a couple of years ago and I only filled out the information that a regular census would contain and left the rest blank. I received a phone call from the census people trying to get me to divulge info to fill out the survey over the phone. I decided not to play and they promised a personal visit, which has not happened.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

I don't give a shit what the law says. It's total BS. I received this thing months and months ago. Threw it in the trash. They sent me another notice -- REQUIRED BY LAW. Threw that in the trash. Haven't heard back since and they can kiss my ass.

[Matthew5]

How do you respond to this invasive Census Bureau survey? It says it's required by law??

[Michael Landon]

I received this in the mail, any suggestions on what to do with it?

Mods...maybe merge these multiple threads into one master thread regarding the American Community Survey?

- ML

[Michael Landon]

.....

[Michael Landon]

....

[Anti Federalist]

One more to merge with the others...

- ML

Throw it in the woods!

[Anti Federalist]

Throw it in the woods!

[pcosmar]

Throw it in the woods!

Or the trash.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Throw it in the trash.

[Anti Federalist]

Or the trash.

Throwing it in the woods minimizes the chance of the Trash Police finding it and busting you for non-compliance.

(I'm only half kidding)

[pcosmar]

Throwing it in the woods minimizes the chance of the Trash Police finding it and busting you for non-compliance.

(I'm only half kidding)

I have a Burn Pile for the trash.
;)

[oyarde]

One funny tid-bit:

Upon the last visit, the lady said: I don't work for Obama.

I didn't know whether to laugh or be insulted. I would have smiled , given her a cookie and asked her to leave...

[oyarde]

I am relieved that they do not have my phone nimber ...

[oyarde]

I do not think they could garnish your wages if they do not have your social security number , they would not know where you are employed, of course , the IRS has these things ...

[acptulsa]

The Constitution requires a census once per decade. It happened two years ago. The government claims it needs all kinds of invasive information, but all it needs is to know how many people there are in your congressional district so they know how many representatives to allot to your state. That is all. Anything beyond a nose count is extraConstitutional and not mandatory. Anything in a year that does not end in zero is extraConstitutional and not required.

With all due respect to my friend AF, please shred it, recycle it, fold spindle and mutilate it, discard it, burn it, use it to light your barbeque, do anything you like with it except fill it out and send it in or litter the woods with it.

[Michael Landon]

I just received a personal visit from the Field Leader for the U.S. Census Bureau asking why I haven't returned the ACS Census. I told her to come back tomorrow when I have more time to answer. I don't want to answer any questions....suggestions for when she comes back?

- ML

[Lucille]

I just received a personal visit from the Field Leader for the U.S. Census Bureau asking why I haven't returned the ACS Census. I told her to come back tomorrow when I have more time to answer. I don't want to answer any questions....suggestions for when she comes back?

- ML

Don't be home, and continue to be unavailable until it's made voluntary (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/01/census-american-community-survey-senate_n_1563389.html)?

None of Your Business!
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul192.html

[NCGOPer_for_Paul]

I got one of those things in 2009. I responded with our names, and total head count in our home, and verified the address, as is required by the Constitution. Plus, I do geneological research so I have no problem with names and addresses.

I did put at the start of the questionnaire that all of these questions are unconstitutional and as an American citizen I am taking my 5th Amendment right not to give the government answers. (They can get most of them anyway from the power company, real estate record searches, etc.)

I got a phone call from the Census people telling me I had to answer the questions and they started asking. I calmly asserted my 5th Amendment rights, and this hack tried to say under US Code such and such, I HAD to answer the questions for the "good of the community", and wouldn't I like it if my community got more government money. To which I responded "US Code (*) is unconstitutional since it compels citizens to give government agents answers to questions some may feel is no business of the government, PLUS, the transfer of tax dollars from one jurisdiction to another based upon citizen response violates the 10th Amendment, and I really don't care how much "government money" my community recieves, because if the Federal government would leave us alone, we could do things we wanted without Federal mandates and unnecessary interference. So, I welcome you trying to fine me the $100, because you would absolutely be embarrassed and it would be the best $100 I ever spent."

Never heard from those people again.

However, in 2010, after I answered the actual census with our names, address, and count of people in the household, a census worker came on to my property when me and my family were getting out of our car after an afternoon at the pool. I calmly stated, "you have your answer, THREE, and I held up three fingers." I turned to go into the house and she tried to follow me. I then said, "please remove yourself from my property as you have no jurisdiction here." She tried to say something about questions and I said, "if you don't leave, I will call the county sheriff's department and have you removed."

She went back to her car and filled out the form herself.

[Lucille]

I got one of those things in 2009. I responded with our names, and total head count in our home, and verified the address, as is required by the Constitution. Plus, I do geneological research so I have no problem with names and addresses.

I did put at the start of the questionnaire that all of these questions are unconstitutional and as an American citizen I am taking my 5th Amendment right not to give the government answers. (They can get most of them anyway from the power company, real estate record searches, etc.)

I got a phone call from the Census people telling me I had to answer the questions and they started asking. I calmly asserted my 5th Amendment rights, and this hack tried to say under US Code such and such, I HAD to answer the questions for the "good of the community", and wouldn't I like it if my community got more government money. To which I responded "US Code (*) is unconstitutional since it compels citizens to give government agents answers to questions some may feel is no business of the government, PLUS, the transfer of tax dollars from one jurisdiction to another based upon citizen response violates the 10th Amendment, and I really don't care how much "government money" my community recieves, because if the Federal government would leave us alone, we could do things we wanted without Federal mandates and unnecessary interference. So, I welcome you trying to fine me the $100, because you would absolutely be embarrassed and it would be the best $100 I ever spent."

Never heard from those people again.

However, in 2010, after I answered the actual census with our names, address, and count of people in the household, a census worker came on to my property when me and my family were getting out of our car after an afternoon at the pool. I calmly stated, "you have your answer, THREE, and I held up three fingers." I turned to go into the house and she tried to follow me. I then said, "please remove yourself from my property as you have no jurisdiction here." She tried to say something about questions and I said, "if you don't leave, I will call the county sheriff's department and have you removed."

She went back to her car and filled out the form herself.

Nice! +rep

A census worker called my husband "a bad citizen" when he refused to answer any more than that. DH walked toward him fast, "What did you say? WTF did you just say?!" The little rat scurried off quick.

Then we thought it would have been great if he had said, "No! I'm not a good subject!"

“Repartee is something we think of twenty-four hours too late."
--Mark Twain

[brushfire]

Into the fireplace

[Anti Federalist]

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