The American Community Survey

U.S. Department of Commerce | 5/9/2010 | Vanity Post

[BlackFemaleConservative]

A friend of mine completed the U.S. Census, which was advertised as being the document the government needs in order to determine how to allocate funds (for hospitals, police officers, etc.) throughoute various communnities. The slogan was, "We can't go forward if you don't send it back." Naturally, my friend thought that once she returned her Census form, she had done her duty. Well, now she has received a more extensive form entitled "The American Commmunity Survey" from the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is very intrusive and extensive, going so far as asking about her income, what type of residence she lives in, how much did she pay for it, what type of company she works for. Has anyone out there received this form after submitting the Census form? This seems like an outrageous instrusion of privacy. If the Census form was so critical, why are they also requiring this extensive and overbearing form? It bothers me because it really is an invasion of privacy, and it's like our "big brother is watching government" is trying to get too much information on individual citizens. Your thoughts will be appreciated.

[BlackFemaleConservative]

A friend of mine completed the U.S. Census, which was advertised as being the document the government needs in order to determine how to allocate funds (for hospitals, police officers, etc.) throughoute various communnities. The slogan was, "We can't go forward if you don't send it back." Naturally, my friend thought that once she returned her Census form, she had done her duty. Well, now she has received a more extensive form entitled "The American Commmunity Survey" from the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is very intrusive and extensive, going so far as asking about her income, what type of residence she lives in, how much did she pay for it, what type of company she works for. Has anyone out there received this form after submitting the Census form? This seems like an outrageous instrusion of privacy. If the Census form was so critical, why are they also requiring this extensive and overbearing form? It bothers me because it really is an invasion of privacy, and it's like our "big brother is watching government" is trying to get too much information on individual citizens. Your thoughts will be appreciated.

[muawiyah]

First thought ~ as a federal employee for 40 years every element of my employment was an open book for anyone who wanted to know.

I always thought it was an unnecessary, unwarranted and certainly unconstitutional intrusion into my privacy.

As long as you people are willing to put up with the oppression you heap on public employees I suggest you take the form, answer it and send it in.

Frankly, I have no sympathy for what you claim are your delicate sensibilities.

[gwilhelm56]

Oh is that what that was??? I shredded it .. looked like a bogus official SALES TRAP.

[ConservativeMind]

Screw that. We didn’t choose a Federal job with its benefits, you did.

We are only required to answer the Census. This person did that.

[deltaromeo11]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1453901/posts

[davetex]

I got one of those about 3 or 4 years ago. At first I just ignored it because like you say, it asked for way too much info. Well one day the friendly local census worker showed up and wanted me to provide all of that info. So I got my camera and took several pictures of her and her car. She really didn’t mind as she was trying her hardest to convince me it was all legit. I finally answered some of the questions (enough to make her happy) and she left. That is one nosy stack of paper work though. I understand about 10% of households get that every year. Hope that helps.

[50cal Smokepole]

That thing gets sent out every year I think, randomly. The last one I got was 2000. They wanted to know how many flush toilets I had, when I left for work every morning, etc. I filled out a few answers, like under race, with “American” and sent it back. Then I got a phone call, and they threatened me with criminal charges for not answering the questions. I asked them where was that in the Constitution? That was the end of that nonsense.

[Misterioso]

His “federal job” was a postal clerk.

[Drango]

24 page form with a 12 page booklet describing how to fill out the form! Just laugh at them...

[EternalVigilance]

Oh is that what that was??? I shredded it .. looked like a bogus official SALES TRAP.

It was.

You did the right thing, IMO.

[gwilhelm56]

American Community Survey ..

YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY WON $10,000,000

what it looked like to me... and Now that I now... I have a 400 horsepower turbopowered shredder just waiting for it.

[uncommonsense]

The fed government can fire everyone in that agency, then dismantle it and buy the data from Axciom, Equifax, or Experian. Those companies have up to 2,800 attributes (bits of info) on individuals who fill out a warranty card, subscribe to a magazine (especially the "free" ones), pay for utilities, etc.

It's a waste of taxpayer money, an invasion of privacy, and the provider of their info receives no remuneration or direct beneficial services like the ones offered by private companies. Your time and personal info is worth something in return.

[freedomwarrior998]

Then I got a phone call, and they threatened me with criminal charges for not answering the questions. I asked them where was that in the Constitution? That was the end of that nonsense.

Read Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution.

See also: Morales v. Daley, 116 F. Supp. 2d 801, 820 (S.D. Tex. 2000).

[paudio]

ACS is not new. It is a regular survey done by the Census Bureau initially every 2 years, but since 2005 is done every year. More information from the Census Bureau's Website:

American Community Survey

[50cal Smokepole]

Read Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution.

Article I - The Legislative Branch, Section 2: House of Representatives....

huh? Did you mean Section 2, Clause 3?

[J Edgar]

I received this “The American Commmunity Survey” last census season. I found all the questions quite intrusive, and disagreeable.. So I chose not to answer it. Well, BAM, I get call from census worker, who wants to talk to me. I say no thanks. BAM get knock on door, census worker wants to talk to me. So I open door, and we talk. I say I shall not participate, and you can take me to jail. Worker is very upset, and I can tell that the person is actually just trying to do a good job. I ask if this letter had come to the empty apartment next door what would happen? Answer: nothing! - so I suggest that perhaps no one lives here too, and therefore questions cannot be answered.
Rather than calling police, or filing criminal complaint, or whatever they can do, the census accepted my enlightened view of possible outcomes, and left me alone. I was glad, but I was willing to go to jail before answering questions on the form.
This is not by way of advise, just relating my experience.

[freedomwarrior998]

I didn't realize you needed the sections broken down into clauses. If you must, please Read Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3.

Specifically, refer to the following:

"The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct."

[50cal Smokepole]

Yeah, OK, I got that.
So that makes it OK to threaten me with fines/prison if I don’t tell them how many crappers I have?

[freedomwarrior998]

What does the law say? If the Constitution says “in such manner as they [Congress] Shall by law direct...” then what does the applicable federal Statute say regarding criminal penalties?

[50cal Smokepole]

Well, I guess I'll have to ask my lawyer about that. G'night.