Author Topic: The American Community Survey, have you rec'd one? (Read 1038 times)

mechanic · « **on:** June 24, 2011, 05:50:53 PM »

I got a thing in the mail recently, that had a banner for the census dept. on it, but it was addressed to "resident" at my address. I never opened it, and just tossed it in the trash. Now we are getting phone calls asking for personal information from these people. At first I thought it a hoax, but I'm finding it to be true. They have threatened to lock us up and fine us $5,000 for refusing to answer.

I returned the census, and I believe that constitutionally I have completed my obligation. This survey is by the Dept. of Commerce, via the Census .

Have you recieved one of these? Since when can they assume this authority to force me to provide them with personal info?

Ben

billy_56081 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2011, 05:54:27 PM »

Nope.

powderman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2011, 06:13:26 PM »

Me neither. POWDERMAN.

mechanic · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2011, 06:18:30 PM »

I've been doing some reading, and apparently the courts have upheld this. The census can ask us anything they want, except religion, and it is mandantory we answer and answer truthfully or be fined or jailed or both.

They also are gradually replacing the census as we know it with this survey that we will receive apparently (annually?).

Still reading the U.S. code, but it looks legit. I certainly didn't know it. I thought they could only "enumerate" the population.

Ben

mechanic · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2011, 06:45:19 PM »

US Code, Title 13>Chapter7>Subchapter 11>&221

"(a) Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the Secretary or authorized officer, to answer, to the best of his knowledge, any of the questions on any schedule submitted to him in connection with any census of survey provided for by subchapters I, II, IV, and V of chapter 5 of this title, applying to himself or to the family to which he belongs or is related, or to the farm or farms of which he or his family is the occupant, shall be fined not more than $100.00

(b) Whoever, when answering questions described in subsection (a) of this section, and under the conditions or circumstances described in such subsection, willfully gives any answer that is false, shall be fined not more than $500.00

(c), Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no person shall be compelled to disclose information relative to his religious beliefs or to membership in a religious body."

Apparently it has been upheld in various courts that they may ask ANYTHING they think relevant, and you are required to answer. I guess I'm not too ashamed to admit my ignorance, and abhorrence of this law.

Ben

Ben

powderman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2011, 04:05:47 AM »

You are the first I've heard to mention any of this. Sounds like a scam to get personal info to me. I hope it's not legit. POWDERMAN.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2011, 04:36:48 AM »

Ben, is this something new and you are a test case? whatever it is, it's smacks of communism.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2011, 04:39:46 AM »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Community_Survey

oldandslow · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:04:16 AM »

The USPS does a fair job of losing mail for me.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2011, 07:15:29 AM »

Quote from: oldandslow on June 25, 2011, 07:04:16 AM

The USPS does a fair job of losing mail for me.

yours too?

mechanic · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2011, 09:17:42 AM »

When this came in the mail, it said census on it, but I've already filled out the census last year. It was addressed to "resident", so I assumed it was junk, and tossed it.

Now they are mailing another, and if I don't fill it out, they say I'm subject to a $5000.00 fine or imprisonment..........I guess I need a vacation anyway.............

Ben

carbineman · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2011, 02:37:42 PM »

I received this in -08. It went in the trash and the threats started. I told them I would sit instead of answering. Then they threatened to slap the bracelets on me and haul me away. I told them I would go peacefully and would surrender and asked where to report? After a few other go arounds, I never heard from them again.

The questions asked were unreal and NOTFB.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2011, 03:06:23 PM »

I guess it would be the federal pen. not a bad place from what I hear.

Gary G · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2011, 09:35:13 AM »

Quote from: mechanic on June 24, 2011, 05:50:53 PM

I got a thing in the mail recently, that had a banner for the census dept. on it, but it was addressed to "resident" at my address. I never opened it, and just tossed it in the trash. Now we are getting phone calls asking for personal information from these people. At first I thought it a hoax, but I'm finding it to be true. They have threatened to lock us up and fine us $5,000 for refusing to answer.

I returned the census, and I believe that constitutionally I have completed my obligation. This survey is by the Dept. of Commerce, via the Census .

Have you recieved one of these? Since when can they assume this authority to force me to provide them with personal info?

Ben

I received one last year. I opened it, answered the first question and then put it on my desk. About three weeks later, they called and I told them that I did not want to talk to them. I then received a threatening letter in the mail saying I would be fined if I did not comply. They would call on Sunday while I was at church and at night about bedtime. I chose not to answer. This went on for about two months. Then it ended. I did not fill it out and will not because it is unconstitutional in my opinion. If this is not an invasion of privacy, I don't know what is! It is my understanding that they do not have an enforcement arm and are limited on money to enforce. My defense would have been that I have not finished because I lack some of the information they ask and it is a fine to answer inaccurately. It is also my understanding that about half did not answer it and nothing was done.

powderman · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2011, 04:46:13 PM »

Nobody here has said what info they are after. What questions do they ask?? POWDERMAN.

Gary G · « **Reply #15 on:** June 26, 2011, 05:20:56 PM »

Okay, here are a few of the questions they ask:

How many rooms are bedrooms?
Do you have hot and cold water? a flush toilet?
How many automobiles do you have?
How many acres?
What was the cost of utilities?
Did you receive food stamps?
How much is your monthly rent?
How much is your house worth?
Do you have a morgage?
What is the total annual costs for taxes, etc?
Are you a US citizen?
What is your level of education?
What is your ethnic origin?
How well do you speak English?
Where did you live one year ago?
What insurance do you have?
Because of physical, mental or emotional condition, do you have trouble concentrating?
What is your marital status?
How many times have you been married?
Does this person have a service connected disability?
Where did you work last?
What time do you usually leave home to go to work?
For whom do you work?
What was your wages, salary, commissions, tips from work?
List other sources of income?

For me and my wife there was 127 questions. (48 more for each person living with you)

The Constitution calls for the number of people living here and that is what I gave them. Some of this stuff is none of their business. I wouldn't tell my neighbor, so I am surely not going to tell it to a stranger. We no longer live in the land of the free.

BBF · « **Reply #16 on:** June 27, 2011, 06:29:56 AM »

Hey Bugeye

We had until recently( before the May election that I hallucinated to have happened) a similar Census requirement called the Long Form for selected households. This Form is no longer mandatory after we the Canadian people elected a majority conservative government.

I received one of those Long Forms and it ended up in my Recycle without risking Big Brother threats. What was interesting how many and from which quarter loud and long howls of Government and private interests were launched in support of keeping the Long Form mandatory.

powderman · « **Reply #17 on:** June 27, 2011, 08:09:28 AM »

GARY G thanks. Looks like a lot of crap that is none of their business. POWDERMAN.

lakota · « **Reply #18 on:** June 27, 2011, 10:16:34 AM »

Why do they need to know what time you leave for work?

Gary G · « **Reply #19 on:** June 27, 2011, 12:26:30 PM »

Quote from: lakota on June 27, 2011, 10:16:34 AM

Why do they need to know what time you leave for work?

LOL, they are all perverts. Only perverts want to meddle in other peoples business. If they know you are married or how much money you make, then maybe they would like to know when you leave home.

I hope a majority of folks refuse to fill it out. They will stop harassing people when they find out the people refuse to obey their whims. Government only has power when the majority submits.

powderman · « **Reply #20 on:** June 27, 2011, 02:58:42 PM »

Quote from: lakota on June 27, 2011, 10:16:34 AM

Why do they need to know what time you leave for work?

Same reason any other thief wants to know when your home is unprotected. POWDERMAN.

lakota · « **Reply #21 on:** June 27, 2011, 03:17:36 PM »

Any other time that the government wants in they just send a tactical team to knock and politlely ask to enter. Whats the concern with work schedules?

BBF · « **Reply #22 on:** June 28, 2011, 02:36:32 PM »

Possibly traffic load and road connection in your locality. Not everything is sinister.

Gary G · « **Reply #23 on:** June 28, 2011, 03:01:17 PM »

Naw, it is sinister. Such information is needed for redistribution. You know, where they take by threat of force what rightfully belongs to you because you worked for it, and give it to someone else who did not work for it.

oldandslow · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2011, 03:26:04 PM »

The question about having trouble concentrating should give anyone a perfect excuse for not filling the thing out. Just tell 'em you so much trouble concentrating that you couldn't concentrate enough to answer the questions.

BBF · « **Reply #25 on:** June 28, 2011, 04:19:19 PM »

o&s Consider this.
Now here is a sinister thought.

That trouble of not concentrating could open up the question in regards to" Are you competent to own firearms"?