YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW - The American Community Survey

The American Community Survey ^ | 7-30-05 | US Government

[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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The American Community Survey

This is the 24 page survey.

[Bahbah]

For example, the results from this survey are used to decide where new schools, hospitals and fire stations are needed.

It is the role of the federal government to determine where schools, hospitals and fire stations are needed in MY local community. They can take this thing and shove it.

[AFreeBird]

There is no way I'd fill out that form. The questions are absurd and invasive.

$#!t can it.

[Modok]

America's Changing, And So Is the Census: National Mailing of New American Community Survey Marks Historic Shift for Census Bureau

1/10/2005 12:07:00 PM

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To: National Desk

Contact: Stephen Buckner or Michele Lowe of U.S. Census Bureau, 301-763-3691 or Pio@census.gov; Web: http://www.census.gov

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The days of having to wait a decade for updated census figures about a changing America will soon be behind us, thanks to a new survey the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing in January to 250,000 households a month across the nation.

The ACS is more timely and relevant than the decennial census long form it replaces, providing decision-makers, communities and businesses with current information about their changing populations every year, rather than once a decade. Information provided by the ACS includes topics ranging from housing values and educational attainment to commute times and language spoken at home.

"We believe the American Community Survey is the future not only for the Census Bureau, but also for local leaders, businesses and growing communities," said Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon. "For the first time, small communities will have timely and accurate information that will help leaders make better decisions about where to build and locate roads, schools and hospitals. Likewise, businesses will be better able to identify likely markets for their products and services," Kincannon continued. The survey is an improved way to allocate states' shares of more than $200 billion a year in federal and state funding currently allotted based on five-year old census long-form data.

Each year, the Census Bureau will mail the mandatory survey to a rolling, random sample of about 3 million households throughout the country and Puerto Rico. Roughly 2.5 percent of the nation's 140 million households - about 1-in-40 households - will participate in the survey each year. By comparison, 1-in-6 households received the Census 2000 long form.

In development and testing since 1996, the ACS currently produces data for areas with populations of 250,000 or more. This week's mail-out of questionnaires expands the survey from 1,239 counties to all of the nation's 3,142 counties, as well as Puerto Rico, American Indian reservations, Alaska native villages and Hawaiian homelands.

The Census Bureau will release data for areas with populations of 65,000 or more annually beginning in summer 2006. For smaller areas, it will take three or five years, depending on their population size, to accumulate a large enough sample to produce data. Once those data are collected, though, the Census Bureau will release tabulations based on rolling three-year averages annually for areas with populations between 20,000 and 65,000, and rolling five-year averages annually for areas as small as census tracts (see timeline and additional materials at http://www.census.gov/acs/www.

Households selected for the ACS will receive a letter from the Census Bureau Director asking them to respond promptly to the survey. Attempts at follow-up interviews of a sample of nonresponders will be made first by phone and then by personal visit.

As with the answers to other census questionnaires, federal law guarantees the confidentiality of ACS responses. Every person with access to the answers takes an oath to protect their confidentiality. Violating this law is a federal crime with maximum penalties of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The ACS eliminates the need for a census long form in 2010. The census short form will continue to produce the official count of the nation's population every 10 years, fulfilling the constitutionally mandated function of determining congressional apportionment. The permanent staff, professional interviewers and mapping updates needed for the survey will contribute to more complete and accurate results for both the ACS and the 2010 Census.

For more information, visit the Census Bureau Web site at: http://www.census.gov.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[FinallyBackInNH]

The ACS eliminates the need for a census long form in 2010. The census short form will continue to produce the official count of the nation's population every 10 years, fulfilling the constitutionally mandated function of determining congressional apportionment.

Yeah, that pesky Constitution thing...makes 'em go back to actually doing their job at least once every 10 years. Wouldn't want to take away from building a marketing database (under penalty of law) at my expense.

[mewzilla]

LOL. Send it snail mail. Literally.

[Indy Pendance]

It was sent to us in a package. We received a notice letter that we were 'selected' for this.

[wyattearp]

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!"

I hate to tell you this, but this is in fact a massive conspiracy. In homes all across the country, even among the homes of otherwise law-abiding citizens, new members of the not-so-secret cabal are formed. They look at those tags: "it is a violation of federal law to remove..." and, with a sneer and an evil snarl, they rip those suckers right off.

Our numbers are growing, muahahahaha...

[Indy Pendance]

While researching the various US codes and titles, there were a couple clauses about penalities. I didn't read it carefully because there is nothing in the constition, in the census part, that requires to state how much you pay for gas, how many bathrooms you have and the like.

[Indy Pendance]

This is not a joke. I think we'll let 'resident' handle this 'American Community Survey'. It's a pretty sounding name though...... gag

[Indy Pendance]

That silly little document called the constitution mentions it. I linked it at the top.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Well, these facists have sent me two of them, also with a letter in between remeinding me to fill them out.

I filed them so that if someone actually comes out here and threatens to fine me I will claim I just forgot to do it.

This is the most intrusive, outlandish piece of crap I have ever imagined. If they come after me I am going to contact the ACLU and ask them if this BS rates as much attention as some 14 year old's t shirt at school. Jeez, if the ACLU actually gave a crap about civil liberties they'd be all over this thing by now.

I wondered if anyone else had gotten this. Now I'm all ticked off again just by being reminded.

[philetus]

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

No. The school teachers ask your kids that question.

[Indy Pendance]

Just let Resident fill it out.

[dalereed]

I send back the census every 10 years with the only answer being "2 homosapians"

If I get one of these they will get it back with:

None of your fu**ing business, but spelled out!

[Indy Pendance]

Did you look at the questions they are asking?

Scroll down to page 6 for starters.

[Lurker]

My oh my, what fun. You could be the only guy in the country living in a fifteen room trailer on more than ten acres with a large population of South Pacific Islanders using coke to heat the place, wind power to power it, and have a median income of less than a thousand a year.

Then fold it up wrong, put it in the envelope upside down, staple it closed, and send it back postage due.

[Indy Pendance]

I know. When I first started reading it, I thought the same. What does DC care about our little community? If they want to ask us how many people live in our house, I'll comply, nothing more than that. I must have missed the constitutional amendment on enumeration.

[Indy Pendance]

I read that garbage at their site. When was the constitution changed?

[Indy Pendance]

Well, if they'd just count the population instead of all these intrusive questions, they'd be done in short time. You know, how many people live in your household on a permanent basis. Simple really. Nah, they have to create a whole department. What else is new.

[NeoCaveman]

With respect to the two words "general welfare," I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators. If the words obtained so readily a place in the "Articles of Confederation," and received so little notice in their admission into the present Constitution, and retained for so long a time a silent place in both, the fairest explanation is, that the words, in the alternative of meaning nothing or meaning everything, had the former meaning taken for granted. --- James Madison