US Census Bureau "American Community Survey". Anybody else get this? (Vanity)

8-28-02 | Misanthrope

[misanthrope]

I received the "American Community Survey" in my mailbox today. It is a 21 page census type questionaire reminiscent of the 2000 census long form that I received. It claims to be from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau.

I've never heard of this. It claims that "Title 13, sections 182 and 225 of the U.S. Code"...."REQUIRES that you provide the information asked in this survey to the best of your knowledge".

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/

Has anyone else heard of or received these little gems?

Sorry in advance if this has already been posted.

[dead]

I wish I got one. I'm short on toilet paper.

[misanthrope]

info bump

[misanthrope]

??bump??

[Chad Fairbanks]

It's going to rteplace the long form in the census... so in 2010, you will do this as well...

[Black Agnes]

'to the best of your knowledge' you can lie...

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

If you are registered on FR...you are already on a database.

[misanthrope]

I don't wanna lie, I want these people to LEAVE ME ALONE.

Last time I checked, the Constitution specifically allowed for ONE census every ten years.

I guess I'm gonna test this one to the limit.....

[Lokibob]

The U.S. constitution provides for the census to be taken and provides for penalties for failure to provide the information.  Also note that the penalty for providing false information is 5 times  more expensive.

 

From this web site:

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_cens.html

 

"The final bill, Statute 2 of March 1, 1790, provided that census marshals be appointed, directed to "cause the number of the inhabitants within their respective districts to be taken; omitting in such enumeration Indians not taxed, and distinguishing free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, from all others; distinguishing also the sexes and colours of free persons, and the free males of sixteen years and upwards from those under that age." The act directed that the names of the heads of families be recorded, the number of white males sixteen and older, the number of white males under sixteen, the number of white females, the number of all other free persons, and the number of slaves. Failure of an assistant marshall to make a return, or to make a false return, was punishable by a $200 fine. Failure of a marshall to do the same was punishable by up to an $800 fine. The questions about profession, and other information Representative Sedgwick spoke of, were not made part of the final census. Census day was set at the first Monday in August, 1790. Failure to cooperate with a marshall or assistant was punishable by a $20 fine.

 

There are fines for non-response and for false response as well, though the amount has risen from the 1790's $20. Today failure to respond can result in a $100 fine; providing false answers is a more severe offense, and carries a $500 fine. Recent news reports, however, indicate that punishment for failure to respond is not usually enforced. The controlling section of the Code is 13 USC 221."

 

Also note that the penalty is not USUALLY enforced.

I truly think that to brag about providing false information on this forum would open you up to notice by the thought police.  I know, you only said you provided the information AS A FREEPER.

I couldn't find a penalty on the census bureau web site, but I'll bet there is one.

[Lokibob]

OOPS, my message above should have been addressed to you. sorry.

[misanthrope]

My understanding is that the census occurres once every ten years, the last was in 2000, so this is not a "census", merely a survey (so labeled).

I will not return it, will resist answering thier questions, and see where this goes.

[John H K]

Also note that the penalty is not USUALLY enforced.

NEVER enforced against individuals.

Only time the process of enforcement or legal action would ever get rolling is a gated community or apartment building where the building managers/owners/guards wouldn't let census workers into the community or apartment building.

[John H K]

I will not return it, will resist answering thier questions, and see where this goes.

Basic plan is simply to bug you to death. You'll be CONSTANTLY visited and/or called every few days, if they have a phone # for you, until the operation ends, which could be months from now.

[Lokibob]

No problem as far as I'm concerned.

Poligamy laws were "RARELY" enforced in Utah until Tom Green got on TV and started talking about it. After serving a year in prison for poligamy, he was sentenced to 5 years to life yesterday.

All I'm saying is that it seems to me that there are better swords to fall on than a census form that MAY be constitutionally mandated.

[misanthrope]

"All I'm saying is that it seems to me that there are better swords to fall on than a census form that MAY be constitutionally mandated. "

Sword to fall on? Constitutionally mandated??

Some folks don't get it. Resistance to extra-Constitutional mandate/ "law" is all of our duty. It's way bad important.The malaise our country's citizens show these days towards the preservation of our rights is astounding and really discouraging.

I'm certainly not searching for a "Sword to fall on", and I'm sure I will be able to identify the point at which I will be facing serious jeapordy, but I will make my point, (perhaps at your [taxpayer] expense).


Won't you join me???

[misanthrope]

I'm also pretty sure that the "Census" is specifically "Constitutionally mandated" to be conducted at 10 year intervals.

[Lokibob]

LOL, join you and wave a big red flag in front of the charging bull?

If I join you, it will be done underground. Call me a chicken s--t if you must, but I have a bad reaction to lawyers and courts.

I like the phrase "answered the questions as a FREEPER".

[misanthrope]

Some folks don't get it. Resistance to extra-Constitutional mandate/ "law" is all of our duty. It's way bad important.The malaise our country's citizens show these days towards the preservation of our rights is astounding and really discouraging.

[misanthrope]

Well, I just received the second copy, along with a semi -threatening letter from the "Director, U.S. Census Bureau".

"Your response is required by law. If we do not receive your form by mail, we may send a CENSUS worker to your door and that will cost taxpayers more."

Man, I hate this.

Some of the questions are;
Name, DOB, relationship.
Race and ethnic originMarital status
What type of home (house, apt, mobile, etc)
How many acres is the home on.
How many rooms in the home?
Does the home have complete plumbing.
Complete kitchen facilities?
Telephone services?
How many automobiles?
Wich fuel is used?
Cost of electricity per month.
Cost of gas?
Cost of water sewer.
All kinds of ?s on income.
Mortgage and insurance

Personal;
Birthplace
Citizenship
Education
How long here and previously
Phisical handicaps
Multilingualism
Emotional health
Military service
How does the individual get to work, how long does it take

And on and on.