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YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW - The American Community Survey
The American Community Survey ^ | 7-30-05 | US Government

Posted on 07/30/2005 2:00:35 PM PDT by Indy Pendance

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Article. I. Section. 2. Clause 3:

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.

On the envelope:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
Jeffersonville, IN 47132-0001

OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Penalty for Private Use $300

ACS-46(2003) (1-2004)

The American Community Survey
Form Enclosed

YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW


The cover letter:

Dear Resident:

I recently sent a letter to your household about the American Community Survey. Enclosed is a questionnaire and mail it back as soon as possible in the postage-paid envelope.

This survey collects critical up-to-date information used to meet the needs of communities across the United States. For example, the results from this survey are used to decide where new 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 U.S. Census Bureau chose your address, not you personally, as part of a randomly selected sample. You are required by U.S. law to respond to this survey. The Census Bureau is required by U.S. law to keep your answers confidential. The enclosed brochure answers frequently asked questions about the survey.

If you need help filling out the questionnaire, please use the enclosed guide or call our toll-free number (1-800-354-7271).

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Charles Louis Kincannon
Director, U.S. Census Bureau

Enclosures.


The enclosures:

Frequently asked questions:

What is the American Community Survey?

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census. During Census 2000, the population of the United States was counted, and additional information was collected to describe the characteristics of the Nation’s population and housing.

The next census in 2010 will count the population, while the American Community Survey collects the information about population and housing characteristics throughout the decade. Based on the American Community Survey, the Census Bureau can provide data about our rapidly changing country more often than every 10 years.

Why don’t you use the information I provided on my Census 2000 questionnaire?

We need your response even if you completed a Census 2000 questionnaire, because the characteristics of your household may have changed since Census 2000. As we move further away from 2000, information provided in Census 2000 becomes outdated.

How do I benefit by answering the American Community Survey?

The American Community Survey provides up-to-date information for the Nation, states, cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and communities. By responding to the American community Survey questionnaire, you are helping your community to establish goals, identify problems and solutions, and measure the performance of programs.

Communities need data about the well-being of children, families, and the elderly to provide services to them. The data also are used to decide where to locate new highways, schools, hospitals, and community centers; to show a large corporation that a town has the workforce the company needs, and in many other ways.

Do I have to answer the questions on the American Community Survey?

Yes, your response to this survey is required by law (Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 193). Title 13, as changed by Title 18, imposes a penalty for not responding. The survey is approved by the Office of Management and Budget. We estimate this survey will take about 38 minutes to complete.

How will the Census Bureau use the information that I provide?

The Census Bureau can us the information you provide to statistical purposes only and cannot publish or release information that would identify you and your household. Your information will be used in combination with information from other households to produce data for your community. Similar data will be produced for communities across the United States.

We may combine your answers with information that you gave to other agencies to enhance the statistical uses of these data. This information will be given the same protections as your survey information. Based on the information that you provide, you may be asked to participate in other Census Bureau surveys that are voluntary.

Will the Census Bureau keep my information confidential?

Yes. All of the information the Census Bureau collects from this survey about you and your household is confidential by law (Tot;e 13, United States Code, Section 9). By law, every Census Bureau employee-including the Director as well as every field representative-has taken an oath and is subject to a jail term, a fine, or both if he or she discloses ANY information that could identify you or your household.

Where can I find more information about the American Community Survey or get assistance?

You may visit our Web site www.census.gov/acs/www, or call 1-800-354-7271 if you need assistance or more information.


Your Guide for The American Community Survey

This is a 12 page booklet describing how to fill out the form. It is similar to a tax preparation booklet.


The American Community Survey

This is the 24 page survey.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government
KEYWORDS: census; irs; uscensus
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To: Indy Pendance
This survey collects critical up-to-date information used to meet the needs of communities across the United States. For example, the results from this survey are used to decide where new 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.

They also sell the info to businesses, don't they?

If that's the case, they should pay respondents.

21 posted on 07/30/2005 2:21:21 PM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: IronJack

This time around they are going to take a GPS coordinate on your doorstep:

http://www.census.gov/procur/www/fdca/april22-posting.html

Then, they'll be able to do all sorts of things!


22 posted on 07/30/2005 2:24:16 PM PDT by RFEngineer
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To: ElkGroveDan
Indeed, I think you're right.. Why pay attention to the majority of Americans when we aren't even counted because we find it offensive that we are asked to fill out a survey.

Err, actually, the poster wasn't asked, he was ordered to. Come to think about it, not exactly the best way to do this.
23 posted on 07/30/2005 2:24:25 PM PDT by kingu (Draft Fmr Senator Fred Thompson for '08.)
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To: Indy Pendance

Did I miss the part that asks how many guns one has and where are they stored?


24 posted on 07/30/2005 2:25:15 PM PDT by BulletBobCo
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To: IronJack

If you have a little time to kill, you can really have some fun making up answers to the census questions. The only question I ever answer accurately is "number of people who live at this address".


25 posted on 07/30/2005 2:25:49 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Servant of the 9

It was there by intent since the beginning. It was just a matter of time until some began to make the general more concrete. So thought Patrick Henry, so thought Brutus and others who wondered why the states would promote such a system relying on honorable men that would untimately result in the deconstruction of the states and the construction of the national system.


26 posted on 07/30/2005 2:26:01 PM PDT by RightWhale (Substance is essentially the relationship of accidents to itself)
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To: Indy Pendance

President George W. Bush nominated Mr. Kincannon for director of the Census Bureau on July 27, 2001 and the Senate confirmed him unanimously on March 13, 2002.


27 posted on 07/30/2005 2:27:17 PM PDT by Modok
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To: neodad
I tore the tag off my mattress once.

Well then, it will be because of YOU that western civilization will crumble, and a new era of darkness will again cover the earth. For a thousand years!

28 posted on 07/30/2005 2:28:59 PM PDT by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
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To: Modok

Well, nobody's perfect :(


29 posted on 07/30/2005 2:29:11 PM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: Indy Pendance
It is worth keeping in mind the recent appeals court decision in Shutz v IRS

we view ourselves today as completing a task begun forty years ago and hold that, absent an effort to seek enforcement through a federal court, IRS summonses apply no force to taxpayers, and no consequence whatever can befall a taxpayer who refuses, ignores, or otherwise does not comply with an IRS summons until that summons is backed by a federal court order. In addition, we hold that if the IRS seeks enforcement of a summons through the courts, those subject to the proposed order must be given a reasonable opportunity to contest the government’s request. If a court grants a government request for an order of enforcement then we hold, consistent with 26 U.S.C. §7604 and Reisman, that any individual subject to that order must be given a reasonable opportunity to comply and cannot be held in contempt, arrested, detained, or otherwise punished for refusing to comply with the original IRS summons, no matter the taxpayer’s reasons or lack of reasons for so refusing.

IOW, if the Census Bureau wants to force compliance, they can seek an order in Federal District Court, and the individual must be given the reasonable opportunity then to comply before any penalties.

Sort of takes the wind out of adminstrative law, but there you are.

30 posted on 07/30/2005 2:30:17 PM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Indy Pendance
I don't see anything in the letter or the form that requires you to tell the truth.

If you tell them you're an Hispanic pygmy Druid with a doctorate in Metaphysical Reality, living in a 40 room mansion, how are they to know any different?
31 posted on 07/30/2005 2:32:52 PM PDT by DeFault User
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To: Indy Pendance
I don't see anything in the letter or the form that requires you to tell the truth.

If you tell them you're an Hispanic pygmy Druid with a doctorate in Metaphysical Reality, living in a 40 room mansion, how are they to know any different?
32 posted on 07/30/2005 2:32:53 PM PDT by DeFault User
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To: Indy Pendance
Question 13-C: "How well does this person speak English?"

Its hard to imagine how such a question - and the obviously subjective answer it will elicit - has anything to do with anything the government should be concerned about.
33 posted on 07/30/2005 2:37:07 PM PDT by Pessimist
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To: Indy Pendance
If one detests these fascist things as much as I do, one could demonstrate said contempt through a variety of means, among which are:

  1. Shred the document and forget it.
  2. Write the words "RETURN TO SENDER: ADDRESSEE DECEASED" on it.
  3. Fill out the form with wildly inaccurate data. For example, if you are a middle-income white male, have fun pretending you are an 83-year-old black grandmother with 18 grandkids living in a one-room shack. If ever challenged on such things, simply reply, "Huh...must have been the previous occupant."
  4. My personal favorite, and one that is gathering strength, is writing "No entiendo inglés!" on the envelope and sending it back. Be sure to make it reek of 10-day-old shredded beef and picante before sending it back.

Or do something else. Be creative. It's what makes America great. (Contrary to the facist tripe these bean-counting morons do.)

34 posted on 07/30/2005 2:37:26 PM PDT by Prime Choice (Thanks to the Leftists, yesterday's deviants are today's "alternate lifestyles.")
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To: Indy Pendance
Communities need data about the well-being of children, families, and the elderly to provide services to them. The data also are used to decide where to locate new highways, schools, hospitals, and community centers; to show a large corporation that a town has the workforce the company needs, and in many other ways.

Why can't the free market do these things? Ah yes, because of all the socialist programs - the central planners need data to plan with. Socialism begets socialism.

35 posted on 07/30/2005 2:38:01 PM PDT by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
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To: mewzilla
(picturing you....standing on top of your house.....survey in hand......screaming "Top o' the world, ma!")

LOL

36 posted on 07/30/2005 2:38:59 PM PDT by cincinnati65 (Just up the road a piece.......)
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To: AndyJackson
IOW, if the Census Bureau wants to force compliance, they can seek an order in Federal District Court, and the individual must be given the reasonable opportunity then to comply before any penalties.

That is why, when the Census droids insist that I'm legally obliged to answer their questions, I tell them, "Fine. Come back with the sheriff and a court order" and slam the door.

37 posted on 07/30/2005 2:39:14 PM PDT by Prime Choice (Thanks to the Leftists, yesterday's deviants are today's "alternate lifestyles.")
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To: Indy Pendance
Frtom this link:

If you receive the ACS / PRCS questionnaire, you are required to respond and provide accurate information to the best of your ability.

The American Community Survey is conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 193, and response is mandatory. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3571 and Section 3559, in effect amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221 by changing the fine for anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers from a fine of not more than $100 to not more than $5,000.

I'm not impressed.

38 posted on 07/30/2005 2:39:40 PM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: cincinnati65
(picturing you....standing on top of your house.....survey in hand......screaming "Top o' the world, ma!")

LOL

ROTF!!

39 posted on 07/30/2005 2:42:27 PM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: mewzilla
...who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers.

I don't see where it ever says anything about how timely my response needs to be? I mean shucks, I wouldn't to inconvenience the poor slob. But I don't see were I get fined for "nope...haven't gotten around to it YET".

40 posted on 07/30/2005 2:44:49 PM PDT by FinallyBackInNH
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