Last time ‘round I answered “1 adult”.
Census worker showed up not long after, and started pressing for other answers. I simply replied something like “I have given all the information required by the Constitution, and anything beyond that requires a warrant.” ‘nuff said. Guy promptly left and didn’t bother me any more.
And yes I’d pay the $100 fine.
And then go to court demanding it back.
Checked the Census website recently. Funny how it’s smothered with “our employees are sworn to keep your information secret for life under threat of extreme penalties.” Considering how some thugs threatening voters & poll workers, having been convicted for a serious federal crime, mysteriously had their charges dropped without explaination ... I’m not so convinced by warm assurances of secrecy.
We used Census data to round up the Japanese in the 40s. Once government has information there is absolutely zero restriction on how it can be used. A privacy law now can be rescinded, judged, regulated or executive ordered into ineffectiveness tomorrow.
Census worker showed up not long after, and started pressing for other answers. I simply replied something like “I have given all the information required by the Constitution, and anything beyond that requires a warrant.”
Bingo
Census folks are between a rock and a hard place.
ANY info that they divulge about you that has your name attached to it is a violation of their oath (and the relevant USC’s), and they are subject to fine or imprisonment or both.
So as I read it, the most they could say is “Today SOMEBODY UNNAMED refused to answer all my questions...”
And let’s not forget when, a few years ago, the census department inadvertently released ONLINE bunches of personal information complete with household addresses.
I can’t remember if the blunder involved hundreds or thousands of our households, but so much for their assurance and promise of secrecy!