I have had a census worker come to my door twice now.
First time was to ask if anyone was living next door. Now I know what is going on over there... the owner is in Iraq, and the wife is back east helping a very very ill family member. There has been no one home there in many months. Certainly there was no one there in March, or April. So I honestly tell the worker that no one was living there, with out saying anything else. Its none of his freakin business.
OK so that’s the end of that thinks I.
Then earlier this week he shows up again... asking if I will sign a statement, a proxy, for the homeowner saying no one was living there. I smile sweetly and ask him to elaborate. He does, and with my best cheery smile I say... “No”. He then proceeds to more or less ask me to do it again, and then a third time. I say “No” each time with my best smile. He starts to ask AGAIN and I interrupt him, because he isn’t taking “no” for an answer. I say, look, I am not constitutionally required to tell you anything about my neighbors, and I am not going to. You can go do some research and find the information for yourself and attempt to contact the owners, as that is public information... and he tells me he can’t do that. OK whatever. No, I am not signing a proxy or anything else, have a nice day. I shut the door and immediately lock it loudly.
If I see him again, I will do so armed and clearly state that if he does not get off my property inside the next two seconds I am calling the police.
Like I am gonna rat out my neighbor to make his job easier. NOPE.
My favorite people to use for a proxy are the Senior Citizens. They really like doing their civic duty are always willing to help.