Posted on 08/25/2015 6:42:37 PM PDT by fwdude
Well, my residence has been "selected" to participate in the "mandatory" census-type survey, 2015 National Content Test. Never heard of this before, and am leery about participating - so I won't. It is not a census year, so this is not required by law in my thinking.
My question regards the "required by law" part. Laws can only apply to people or entities. The form threatens me by telling me that my response is "required by law," but since the census only selects residences/properties, I am not personally, specifically named to answer. This seems like a very unenforceable "law" if that's what it is.
Besides, how can they prove that the envelope was delivered?
Anyone else have any experience with this mailing?
Oh, and they not-so-subtly threaten to send one of their goons out personally if I don’t respond by September 1.
I’m sure other freepers will be along....there have been other threads on this....and most will say, I believe, DO NOT participate....like you said...it is NOT a census year.
Census?
What census?
(play dumb)
Was there anything on it saying what the penalty would be if you didn’t respond?
No mention of a penalty, although they do give the source citation for the law.
Per cited reference to US Code:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/13/221
Since you’re on FR, I can GUARANTEE the fedgov knows far more about you than this document requests....
What specific questions are asked on the 2015 National Content Test?
For each household, we will ask how many people live in the house, and for each person we will ask the name, sex, age, relationship, and race/origin. We also will ask whether the housing unit is owned or rented, the telephone number, and an email address. Some people will receive different versions of question wording because studying the effectiveness of different content is a part of the test.
“Was there anything on it saying what the penalty would be if you didn’t respond?”
Your answer is found at their website, found in post 3 above:
“Do I have to respond to the 2015 National Content Test?
Yes. Participation in the test is mandated by law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code). This same law also requires the Census Bureau to keep your answers confidential and allows them to be used only to produce statistical summary data. In other words, the Census Bureau does not publish data that would identify individuals.”
Research of Title 13 states you can be fined.
There’s also crap there that says the info gathered can only be used for statistical purposes, under penalty of law. Right. The lawless regime in DC really does not care about laws they have to comply with.
Ignore them.
Tell them to kiss your Obama.
Tell them anything that comes to mind.
But don’t answer their questions.
They won’t do squat about it except pester you.
From link in nascarnation’s post:
” What specific questions are asked on the 2015 National Content Test?
For each household, we will ask how many people live in the house, and for each person we will ask the name, sex, age, relationship, and race/origin. We also will ask whether the housing unit is owned or rented, the telephone number, and an email address. Some people will receive different versions of question wording because studying the effectiveness of different content is a part of the test.
(FAQ12408)
Do I have to respond to the 2015 National Content Test?
Yes. Participation in the test is mandated by law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code). This same law also requires the Census Bureau to keep your answers confidential and allows them to be used only to produce statistical summary data. In other words, the Census Bureau does not publish data that would identify individuals.
(FAQ12418)
Can it be shown that anyone was ever convicted or fined for refusing to answer?
My point is that the law seems completely unenforceable. It doesn’t address specific individuals, only “residences.”
It won’t be long before they ask simple little questions like: “How many guns do you own, what calibers, magazine capacity, action type, barrel length, and model.”
‘Anyone else have any experience with this mailing?”
Easy solution, fwdude. When the census takers showed up at my house, I spoke to them in Russian. When they sent a Russian interpreter, I sent out my wife who spoke Chinese.
Use that or some variant to rid yourself of these federal cockroaches. Memorize a few phrases of Tagalog, Polish or Sanskrit. Whatever. Tonal languages like Vietnamese or Chinese really causes their heads to explode because there are so many local dialects. Fake it, good buddy.
Good luck.
Looks like I’ve got my homework cut out for me. LOL! Thanks.
Who are they going to fine if the person that lived there moved from that location between the time the notice was received and the deadline to respond?
“I just moved here” ;)
Many thanks for the info; see my question in #17.
A few years ago, wife and I escorted the ‘census taker” off our property and informed him we would call the sheriff if he returned. He didn’t.
Like most Census mailings, it’s addressed: “To Resident At ...”
That doesn’t name me specifically, so I’m off the hook.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.