Posted on 10/26/2016 2:03:47 PM PDT by Jack Black
I received a pretty official looking envelope with the return address above marked "American Community Survey" and in even larger bold letters:
YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW
Text of letter:
A message from the Director, US Census Bureau ...
Your household has been randomly selected to complete a very important national survey, the American Community Survey. The US Census Bureau conducts this survey to give our country an up-to-date picture of how we live- our education, employment, housing and more. Using the enclosed instructions please complete the survey online as soon as possible at:
https://respond.census.gov/acs
The Census Bureau is using the internet to collect this information in an effort to conserve natural resources, save taxpayers money, and process your data more efficiently. If you are unable to complete the survey online there is no need to contact us. We will send you a paper questionaire in a few weeks.
The survey collects critical information used to meet the needs of communities across the United States. For example, results from this survey are used to decide where now schools, hospitals and fire stations are needed. This information also helps communities plan for the kinds of emergency situations that might affect you and your neighbors, such as floods and other natural disasters.
The Census Burea chose your address, not you personally, as part of a randomly selected sample. You are required by law to respond to this survey. The Census Bureau is required by US law to keep your answers confidential. The enclosed brochrures answer frequently asked questions about the survey.
If you need hlep completing the survey, please call our toll-free number (1-800-354-7271).
Thank you.
Sincerely,
John H. Thompson
Director, U.S. Census Bureau
Anyone else get this? I have not yet logged on to see the questions. In the past I have been unwilling to cooperate with various census requests beyond those Constitutionally required for apportionment.
I may be softening up as I get older, but I have half a mind to just fill it out, it might be interesting.
What do you fellow Freepers think?
Ignore it .
See what happens.
My response may be required by law, but I hope they aren't counting on getting accurate information from me. LOL.
I got that same letter ~2 months ago. I ignored it. No re-education camps for me so far.
I would throw it in the trash.
Good afternoon. I hope you are doing well.
Interesting. Makes me very suspicious.
Keep in touch. I trust NOTHING OR NOBODY in the 0bama administration.
5.56mm
Yeah, I remember reading about this a few years ago. It is, in my understanding, not legally required.
I understand the government has only ever threatened to do something, but, as I understand, there is no law or Constitutional reference to provide anything beyond the smallest number of things to show you exist in the US.
That specific census is used in a variety of ways to represent your overall location, but it has some very intrusive questions that will be released to the general public in something like 75 years.
I believe the government has never been able to make anyone fill one out, but you will likely get someone to show up at your home a dozen times.
The government knows it won’t win a lawsuit against you. Don’t lie on what your choose to answer, though.
I got one a few years ago. After about a month they sent me another one just in case I lost the first. Then they called to remind me every few days. Then they came by my house and left a couple of notes reminding me there could be penalties if I didn’t respond. Then finally they gave up.
It is not anonymous.
I turned in nominal general answers, without names. Never heard back.
I got one. I started it online but saved and logged off near the end. It takes forever so I’ll finish it later.
Toss it in the trash.
Let them try to prove you ever got it.
I filled mine out with just the constitutionally required items[number of occupants]. Sent it in. The questions are pretty invasive.
For instance, most scholars believe the Census Bureau estimate of the number of Illegal Immigrants (about 12 million) is actually the most reliable estimate available.
Anyway, that number comes from Household Surveys, too.
Is it actually against the law not to fill it out?
I don’t know.
You should look up the US Census Bureau in the phone book and call to verify it is not a scam.
I got one several years ago. I ignored it. They mailed a couple of reminders and called a bunch of times, which I didn’t answer. Finally, after a few months, they gave up.
I would have so much fun if I got one of those.....You have the address/website. Have fun. I might do it myself.
I’ve gotten several over the last few years; one just last week, I think.
I have no idea how a house is selected, nor how many houses are selected. Maybe every one of my neighbors got one, too.
That said, every one of these mandatory surveys are resting in the local landfill. No re-education camp yet, but ya never know.
I got one and trashed it.
It came 1st class in my mailbox,not special delivery, and if anyone ever called about it I would just say I never received it.
They will not get ONE bit of info from me.
Shortly following, I received letters from the ‘government’ threatening me with punishment if I did not comply. I also received phone calls designed to intimidate. I ignored them.
Some months later, I read a George Will column. I never again considered that man in a positive light again. I freaking despise him.
Months again, Phyllis Schlafley wrote her piece. Loved her. (links below.)
Apparently Rand Paul was informed of this issue and he got the program defunded for a while. (No link.)
I never heard from them again.
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/will071213.php3#.WBEd7HT3ahA
http://www.eagleforum.org/publications/column/2012-05-30.html
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