[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

The Census form is short this year. You fellas need to just answer the basic questions (especially for geneological research in the future) and let these people do their jobs. Every time you make it hard, you just cause the government to spend more money with more visits, phone calls, etc. as they check with your neighbors and anyone else they can find to get the information. The money is coming out of YOUR pocket. Some of this overreaction is beyond the pale.

[La Enchiladita]

The Census form is short this year. You fellas need to just answer the basic questions (especially for geneological research in the future) and let these people do their jobs. Every time you make it hard, you just cause the government to spend more money with more visits, phone calls, etc. as they check with your neighbors and anyone else they can find to get the information. The money is coming out of YOUR pocket. Some of this overreaction is beyond the pale.

Bump that. I can confirm every word, as census has been essential to me in family history research. People are making fools of themselves and a non-issue in resisting answering the very basic questions which will be sealed for 72 years. Get a grip, folks.

[fr_freak]

The Census form is short this year. You fellas need to just answer the basic questions (especially for geneological research in the future) and let these people do their jobs. Every time you make it hard, you just cause the government to spend more money with more visits, phone calls, etc.

Actually, you miss the entire point. It is not about whether the questions are too many, or too intrusive. It is about whether the federal government has the authority to compel or harass you into answering them. Even if we were to assume that the questions were entirely reasonable, we should still be free not to answer them, if we so choose. The attitude that we should cooperate with the government in all things without question is poison, regardless of how trivial the thing is.

[ctdonath2]

Census data was instrumental in rounding up 110,000 citizens & residents, forcing them into US concentration camps, and confiscating their property.
Oh, you don’t know about that part of US history?
Never again - which starts with not providing that data.

The Constitution requires a headcount. Anything else, by the 4th Amendment, requires a warrant.

If it’s not that big a deal as you say, than accept my lack of participation (beyond headcount), cope, and leave me alone.
The $5000 fine for non participation, without a compelling Constitutional basis and without a warrant, tells me someone has ill intent.