Survival Arts

I have constitutionally marked my census "1" every time. I do NOT like the idea of being FINED for not answering questions they are not authorized to ask, in years they are not authorized to ask.

Curt-

ARRRRGH! Unbelievable. Thanks for posting this.

However, for what it's worth, it does appear that perhaps Ron Paul was mistaken about the amount of the fine for no-response:

"The American Community Survey is conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 193, and response is mandatory. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100."

That is noted in paragraph 4 of this page: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/SBasics/What/What1.htm

Ever since I read about how the census was used to round up Japanese Americans during WW2, I've considered it to be a very real threat to liberty. It also raises a difficult moral question: what would I do if soldiers and police started going through neighborhoods again rounding up people based on census data?(remember, it could be something other than race - income or education level, for example) Would I protest? Hide people out? Actively resist? Or do nothing? How confident could I be that I wasn't witnessing the beginning of another holocaust?

Bob, I don't think you can know, and that's the worst of it all. If you (we) knew, we'd be able to judge our response to it.

Unfortunately, we're stuck shooting at shadows.

The Constitution (Article I, Section 2, Clause 3) says that there is to be an "enumeration" every ten years. Fine -- enumerate me, but as far as I'm concerned that means you're entitled to my name and address, strictly for redistricting purposes. Any other activity by the Census Bureau is extra-constitutional, at least with respect to the Census Clause (the Supreme Court has unfortunately rationalized intrusive Census questionnaires via the Necessary and Proper Clause).

Disregarding the detailed census questionnaire has been a pleasant act of civil disobedience for me twice now.

Mass civil passive resistance is a powerful tool in voicing our opinions. Please answer N/A when responding to the American Community Survey as the questions violate our rights to privacy.

The choice of the word quench is foolishly optimistic.

I have been struggling with how to respond to the American community survey. I threw the 1st one away not realizing it was a census, because it's an off year. Then one came this week. The envelope stated "your response is required by law". It is really intrusive. The questions make me angry. I've looked up all applicable laws I can find. Section 141 authorizes mid decade census in April beginning 1985. This is December 2004 not April 2005. Most references state the fine for not answering as $100. Title 18 "effectively" raises the fine to $500 according to census gov web site. I initially answered only the count on cover page and inserted a note stating they have no authority for a census at this time. After much hunting I found section 193 which states basically that they can census and survey whenever they darn please. I would gladly pay this small fine but I don't want to prompt them to pester me for answers by phone or in person.

I just received one (01/03/05) and I'm struggling as to what to do with it. What's the reaction if I do not respond?

jw

I also received one of these intrusive questionaires. I plan to let it set as long as I can as they merely said return it "as soon as possible." That may be awhile.

They will not leave you alone if you don't return the survey or respond to it.
I sent the following letter, and restated it during one of the multiple phone calls from them. Since I sent the letter, they never bothered me again, and I never received any fine. Feel free to copy and paste - Jim

Attention Heather Polo - ACS
US Census Bureau
Boston Regional Office
2 Copley Place, Suite 301
Boston, MA 02116

September 16, 2003

I received your “American Community Survey” some time ago, and shortly thereafter returned the survey, including only the information you are authorized to collect, and I am required to provide, per the requirements of Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, that is, the number of persons in our household, for the purposes of proper apportionment of our US Congressional representation. I left all of the other personal and private questions in the survey unanswered.

I included a note with the returned survey stating that I would continue to refuse to answer these additional questions as a matter of principle, and I requested that no phone calls or visits to my home be made by your agency. Despite this request, my wife has subsequently been visited by an unannounced and uninvited representative of your Bureau, and I was later telephoned by him.

Thank you for your interest in the age, racial composition, daily habits, and private information regarding the private lives and private property of the members of my household. While we understand your assertion that this information is needed for some reason deemed important by somebody, and that the information requested will be kept strictly confidential, I respectfully decline to participate in this “American Community Survey”, and request that you do not misdirect further efforts to gather this private information about the members of my houshold from either myself or any other source.

I’ve requested that you respect my privacy once, in writing, in the note I returned with your survey. Although Mark Rolfsema, the field representative, was professional, thourough and pleasant enough, I’ve requested the Bureau cease these harrassing efforts a second time during the phone call after he visited my home. Let this letter be the third request that you respect my privacy and my requests.

Be advised that no matter how intensive your efforts become, nor what kind of fine, penalty, prosecution or imprisonment you may wish to threaten, I, as a free American citizen, will not allow any agency of this government to demand, under penalty of law, that I disclose private and personal information about the members of my household. If such a law exists, it should not exist, for it would be truly unconstitutional.

There are two adults and two children living at this residence. Beyond that, please cease and desist all further efforts to gather personal and private information about the members of my household, it will not be provided.

Respectfully,

XXXX
XXXX

I have also received the survey.

I do not understand why I have to give full names and dates of birth on a 'survey' of this household on a form that has a serial #. The accompanying literature stated that this is not about me personally but the household. So why can't it be anonymous?

The race question asks me what 'race' this person considers him/herself to be. I consider myself to be part of the human race. I suppose that will be considered uncooperative.

I have discarded my utility bills for 2004 and in any case, the gas and electricity is on the same bill. I will have to call PG&E to get information on the electric part of the bill for the last 12 months.

This form states that it will take an average of '38 minutes' to complete. The call to PG&E alone will take that.

I like Jim's letter above. However, my googling survey fines led me to believe the fine could be up to 5,000.

A private company called 'Scarbough Res' has been calling me every day for the last 2 weeks. I was wondering who they were as I am on the do not call list. Their persistance makes me think that they are some private company with a big fat government contract to get this survey completed. I actually only got the survey yesterday!

I received the survey too. I notice on the back page it says, "Respondents are not required to respond to any information collection unless it displays a valid approval number from the Office of Management and Budget. This 8-digit number appears in the bottom left on the front cover of this form." Well, there is no number in the bottom left on the front cover. It's in the bottom right.

doug: well that's our government...they don't know their left from their right. they just want to sell the names and numbers just like the financial institutions and everyone else. are we supposed to believe they are going to use it to provide services? get out...they are going to provide for themselves...money for them.

i too have received this. i live in atlanta and have written and called both my congressman and a senator. the people i spoke with had almost no knowledge of the type of questions being "asked". both seemed reasonably shocked and sen isakson's ofc claimed they would call me back (so far they have been reliable). i'll answer the question of how many people live at my residence but beyond that i'll plead the fifth and even pay the fine if necessary.

Rosie,

I got the same calls from Scarborough Research every night for about 6 months. I even got a letter in the mail from them with $2 in cash, asking me to please participate in their phone survey. I threw out the letter, kept the two bucks.

Since we have caller ID, we could see when they were calling, and we never picked up the call, and they never left a message. They called, literally, every weeknight for about six months, but eventually stopped calling (I've probably jinxed us now). My presumption was that our demographics (which they procured how?) put us into some group that they wanted a commercial survey about, but I have no way of knowing for sure...

I ignored both of the surveys sent to my home, and now I got home from vaction to find two business cards from a representative jammed into my door frame -- actually the dogsitter found them and put them on the table with a note saying 1984 and an arrow pointing to them. How appropriate.

So now I have no idea what to do. I guess I'll wait for the next door-knock and then tell them 2 people live here, and that I object to the other questions on moral grounds and refuse to answer them.

Ugh. Anyone else have experience with any good (i.e. MAKE THEM GO AWAY) solutions for this?

Update:

After speaking to the census lady on her third visit to our home (she was pleasant and helpful, despite the stalking effect), it was determined that we CAN say "refuse to answer" to as many questions as we wish. So we answered our first names, genders, and household count, and nothing else. So fyi, don't be intimidated into answering what you're uncomfortable with just because it seems ominous and threatening on the survey. I second the recommendation that you send it in with enumeration questions answered and a letter expressing that you refuse to answer the invasive questions on constitutional grounds. They seem pretty reasonable once you iterate your crank factor.

If you are a congressman you should know the importance of the american community survey, this survey is helping to determine funding for roads, hospitals, senior citizen centers and many other important things that go into communities. I guess you people don't want to better your communities. this survey does not publish your personal information all personal info is taken off and published into statistical form. and to the person that recieved a letter with $2 to complete a survey this is not from the census bureau.

And Adolf built the Autobahn and the Volkswagen and Mussolini made the trains run on time.
Those were community improvements too, I'll bet you would have supported those guys as well.
Some people just don't get it.

no i think that you don't get it, but i don't have time to waste on people like you, thanks

As an employee of the Census Bureau's American Community Survey I would like to respond to the irrational comments made on this site. First of all the ACS does NOT pay people to reply to their survey, so the implications made to this effect are completely unfounded. Secondly the responses made to this survey are intended for use by the government as well as private businesses to determine things such as road improvements, and where businesses will locate. In case you don't know businesses such as Wal-Mart, Dollar General, and many others will only locate in cities with a certain population, without the up to date data from the U.S. Census Bureau these business are likely not to choose YOUR town to move in to. As for the questions about "What time you leave for work" these are to determine what is the best time to perform road work and things such as that. If you are uncomfortable answering specific questions regarding your name, you can give an alias, also you can refuse to answer any question that is asked, but you're only hurting your own community by not cooperating. Thank you for your time and I hope you reconsider your actions

WOW! You mean if I don't respond to my Census Survey that WalMart and Dollar General won't open a store in my town!?!?!?! Yippee!! Now I have another reason for NOT completing the ridiculously intrusive survey! I live in a beautiful master-planned community and certainly don't want either of those trashy stores contaminating my neighborhood. Who knew it was so easy to keep the riff-raff out of my community!!

As far as the government needing to know what the best times to do road work are....hmmmm....how about NOT during rush hour! Gee, I don't think they need a census to figure that out.

I am so offended at the questions in the ACS. It's unreal. And to think the government is spending billions of dollars of our hard-earned tax money to fund such an inane piece of garbage that most Americans won't take the time to participate in! I just love the fact that I'm working my a** off everyday to spend my money on that trash.

I can't wait until the phone calls and visits from the census workers start...bring 'em on!

I got one of these things a couple of weeks ago. Seems to me it just a means for our "faithful servants" to transfer wealth from those of us to create wealth and pay taxes to those who don't create wealth and work for a government.
The constitution mandates a census every decade for two purposes, one of which is no longer applicable. I see no reason to help the socialist robbers screw me more efficiently.
As for the phone harassment, that's why I screen calls with my answering machine.

Also, I trust no one who threatens me if I don't do what they want.

I will say that the employee(sic) of the Census Bureau's American Community Survey in the previous posting would have been very comfortable working for Hitler, Il Duce, Stalin, Saddam, or THE MINISTRY OF TRUTH in 1984. That personallity loves controlling others.

The Government is NOT our friend! At the very best, it is the least of necessary evils.

Our forefathers knew this and tried to write a constitution to protect us.

Those in the goverments of this land are working hard to subvert this protection.

Responding to the comments posted on 5/26 at 10:42pm, why in the world would I want my personal information to be given to "private businesses"? Do you think I want more junk mail and annoying phone calls? Interestingly, you claim you work for the Census Bureau, but you don't give any contact information to legitimize the survey. The fact that my taxes are spent paying the salary of mindless people like yourself just further discourages me from giving up any information that "private businesses" think is useful. I received my first survey a month ago. Begrudginly, I filled it out completely (but never mailed it). I received a second survey last week. A few minutes ago I filled it out with an alias, false phone number, and indicated the gender and number of people living at my household. It's now in the UNITED STATES mail. I hope your "private businesses" enjoy all the useful information I've given.

I would not be surprised that soon (if not already) these results are processed be "contract workers" or outsourced to foreign countries. Then there would be litte recourse for the misuse of this information. Don't they already have enough information in the mega-datastores on all Americans? On a scale of 1 to 10 I give this survey a "1".

We received the survey. I have lost three nights sleep and 5 pounds worrying what to do about it. (So far) It is outrageous and should be found unconstitutional by the courts. Where is my "right to choose" now?

The government has now declared that they have the right to rape every citizen of their private information.

Remember, this is only a test. The next survey will get even more intrusive. Use your imagination..."Do you own any firearms?"

Who are the representatives representing? NOT US!!

I was taken by suprise at lunch. Here it is mothers day and a woman is telling me I have to particpate in a survey. My wife is just livid that we have to cooperate , I'm standing in the doorway with dinner in my hand caught in the middle and find myself agreeing to take a phone survey next week. Crap , I'm from Alaska where we have a privacey clause in our constituion that is so strong ,we are allowed pot in our homes ,(limited qty.). I feel like I owe my fellow citzens an apolgy. I don't mind being asked to be surveyed ,I would probably go on in great detail, but to require it and put it in a recored with my name and a reference number is a whole another matter. Who are these pepole and how naive are they? Stalin knew what was "best" for his pepole too!

I recently had a visit from the ACS man. I didn't really know any better so I cooperated, not wanting to deal with any legal consequences at this time. Now I wish that I had taken another course of action.

Someone wrote: "Secondly the responses made to this survey are intended for use by the government as well as private businesses to determine things such as road improvements, and where businesses will locate."

My question is, how does knowing if I have a toilet help determine road improvements?

I'm similarly appalled by this atrocious survey. A few months ago I mailed in the front cover only, with the # of residents indicated. Then I received a few phone calls asking me to call back and reference a "case #", which I didn't. Finally they caught me in person on the phone, and started asking me their disgusting questions. I began answering, then gradually started to decline and say it was none of their business. Finally I hung up in disgust.

Now (on a Sunday, would you believe - - of course, money is no object when it’s someone else’s) I have another phone message to call back. Question: does anyone know if anyone has actually been fined for refusing this abomination?

I have a similar story to everyone else on this board. I talked to Clive Richmond from the census bureau and he stated that they are not a prosecuting agency. He also stated that he doesn't know of an instance when the fine was imposed. I would like to hear if anyone on this board has been fined. I told Clive that a lot of this information is available from my County, but I'd understand if he didn't want to deal with a government buraeucracy.

The job of imposing penalties/fines is left to the Justice Department. The law that protects my name from being associated with my data outside of the census bureau also protects it from being given to the DOJ. It's a joke and a threat to gain more accurate data.

The census employees stating that the reason for asking such intrusive questions will result in improving our communities is another example of unnecessary Federal gov mingling. Why are Feds worrying about improving my community. I thought I voted for my mayor and city council for that.

Separation of powers??? Did government employees skip Social Studies in high school?

This survey and the census long form must be stopped.

When I moved to Florida in 1991 I was required to provide my social security number to the Driver’s License Department. No number no license. It was for “internal use”.

Twelve years later I am working for a Florida County Government and get an email saying that the state sells all my personal information to private mailing lists including my SSN unless I go to www.myflorida.com and opt out. I did opt out but I was 12 years to late.

I will never trust any government office to keep information private. The best I can tell the government is one big data collection agency for retailers.

If you check your state you will probably find they are selling your personal data.

This is a reply to "unknown" of April 26. Your comment re "not wasting time with people like you" is an arogant respose. I suspect you must be some small town politician that uses this survey info for pork barrel projects.
I have 2 1/2 bathrooms in my house. How does that help?

Today I had my 15th visit from the census man. Can you believe, even though he has gotten no response to his 15 visits , no call back to the many cards and messages he has left tucked in my screen door urging me to call about this "extremely urgent matter" he still persists. Sometimes twice a day (even on Sundays)!! The phone calls have been too numerous to count. Thank God for caller ID... I refuse to participate in this intrusive "fact finding" mission. In 2000 I received the census long form (same thing as the American Community Survey, just renamed) filled out just the essential answers. Here it is 5 years later and I receive the same thing, again. It was a pain in the butt then and it's a pain in the butt now. I think they must get a bonus for each filled out survey they can procure. Oh well, no bonus to gain from me. Another example of our tax dollars being wasted that could be used for so many more things.

Since last Friday(5/20) I have recieved phone calls from the census bureau. They left one message in that time span.

I hope someone visits my house. I have a 110 pound chocolate lab that likes to spend time outside.

I'm thinking about starting a web site to relate my disgust with the Census Bureau and for a place to post your story dealing with them. I will post it here when I get a chance to set it up.

I Just looked up the fine as was suggested.
>>>
"The American Community Survey is conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 193, and response is mandatory. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100."
That is noted in paragraph 4 of this page: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/SBasics/What/What1.htm
>>>

Paragraph 4 did state the fine WAS $100 but you have to read it all. It has been revised by section 18 to now be not more then $5,000. This fine seems to be for not "responding"
what is the fine for lying. Saying no one is living in the home and answering no other questions just to make them go away.

I've read somewhere that the fine for lying is $500 per question.

Here are some excerpts from emails exchanged with by Clive Richmond from the Census Bureau:

"As for false answers, we have no way of knowing whether the information provided by respondents is false. We have no way of verifying the
information about individuals. Where false information comes into play is during a census - communities sometimes encourage their residents to report more people living at addresses so their counts will be higher - an attempt
to move up into counts where federal grants are higher. During a census, we run quality assurance follow-up surveys for the purpose of verifying the counts."

"Title 13, Section 221, United States Code, provides for a fine of up to $100. However, the Census Bureau is not a prosecuting agency. The American Community Survey is taking the place of the Census Long Form for the 2010 Census and is covered by the same statutes as a decennial census."

"A specific address is only selected once in any five year period to receive an ACS questionnaire. The chance of selection during this period is approximately one in eight for an address."

Would it be reasonable to write (or stamp) "Object" to the questions asked on this onerous form? That would be a response... And, reading the above posts, I'm not even sure I want my name and phone number on there. Perhaps the appropriate response would be 'name: Resident, phone number: Unlisted (it really is)' then "Object" to the rest of it.

Any thoughts?

Please sign the new Stop the “American Community Survey” petition, now up and running!

http://www.petitiononline.com/STOPACS/petition.html

Here is my version that I sent out today. Hope everyone is doing something like this.

May 28, 2005

US Census Bureau
PO Box 5240
Jeffersonville IN 47199-5240

Please find attached an American Community Survey (ACS) which I have completed to the best of my ability with the information you are authorized to collect, and I am required to provide, per the requirements of Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, that is, the number of persons in our household, for the purposes of proper apportionment of our US Congressional representation. There are two adults living at this residence. The remaining responses are Not Applicable (NA) because the requested information is not constitutionally required, or because it is beyond my ability to reasonably provide such information.
Please assure that your representatives, employees and/or agents do not call, email or visit my home. My home is posted with “No Trespassing”, “No Soliciting” and “Beware of the Dog” signs, so please do not allow, encourage or instruct your representatives, employees and/or agents to attempt access to my property.
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
Resident

I just bought no tresspassing signs and beware of dog signs. I also had my Chief of police send me the statutes for tresspassing. It provides no protection for federal employees.

Good idea with the petition!! Consider it signed!

Thank you all for the entertaining information. I have had a gut ache figuring out what to do with this and when searching on the web found this info today. From the reading of the actual US Code, I am concerned about the fact the it says refusal to answer is subject to the punishment, so even though I'd rather not fill it out and I don't think they'll enforce anything, the "Refuse to Answer" option still bothered me. So I'm taking another option. I'm filling out the survey and making it completely illegible. I'm marking my answers where the marks cross multiple lines (I failed coloring in Kindergarten), my letters and numbers are completely illegible, and I pity the fool who has to review my form. Ok, I really don't pity them. Nothing in the US Code or in my instructions does it say anything about an acceptable level of penmenship. My teachers always told me I had terrible handwriting!!!
So for those of you looking for another option, there's one. Good luck to all of us and I pray the good guys win out in our never ending battle for the Federal government to mind their own business and only perform the critical functions the constitution allows!

My first visitor was friday,june 3rd.Of course he left his card;of course I tore it up!After reading previous posts;I knew there would be a saturday visit.Fortunately,I got home before he came.He knocked!I didn't answer!Now it gets interesting;of course he leaves another card tucked near the doorknob;but apparently he's unaware that I can see him through the peephole in my door.He goes to his truck and pulls out of the parking space;but he doesn't leave;he sits in his truck looking up at my door for over 5 minutes!Well,this man is smarter than me!He does a u-turn as if he's leaving the parking lot.He is out of range of my sight;but is he gone?NO!
A couple of minutes later he pulls up in the parking lot;again staring at my door!I'm seeing all of this unfold.He thinks I'm home;but he doesn't know.The whole reason for his exercise was to get me to open the door and secure his card;that way he would know I was home;but I never opened the door!I actually didn't leave the house until the next morning.I took his card and GLUED it to the door;where he had placed it!I figured he'd be by on Sunday and would see it!He did come by on Sunday!Of course he knocked!Of course I didn't answer!
Something of note:I know they created a law stating that we must respond;but where is the law that states the "time" in which to respond?If there is nothing written stating that we must respond by a certain "timeframe";then legally we can keep them at bay to infinity!

Why don't they use the tax dollars they are wasting on this survey to get rid of the illegal aliens who are sucking our system dry? Also, the money beign wasted could be used to support our troops who are over there fighting for our very freedoms that this survey is so inclined to take away. As far as it being used to bring in businesses to my community, let these private companies spend their own money hiring people to do demographic surveys to figure out where they should put a store. I have NEVER refused an anonymous unobtrusive marketing survey that would provide me with better products and services. And hey, some of them even payed me for my time! What do we get from the US Census Bureau for our time? The shaft! Good luck, keep 'em away, keep on protesting.

Im glad to see there are others who are as pissed about this as I am. I rent 2 rooms out in my house and I do not want to ask them personal information like this.

Let them come for me, I will tell them im not participating.

From what it looks like they never impose the fine anyway. If they tell me I am fined, I will not pay.

If it goes to my credit report, I will try to have it removed, and if it cant be, it will be the first writeoff ever, and can only hurt my score so much.

I havn't answewred and I will not answer... 2 forms have come and have been burned, a government worker came yesterday and I said they were on private property that the road they came in on was private property not maintained by the fed or local government and so they had no right to be there... they said the badge they were wearing let them enter private property, i said the only way a government employee can invade priuvate property is with a warrant... I told them that the dogs patrolling the property do not take kindly to people invading their territory and I could not be responsible for someone ignoring the private property and warning signs...

I took a solemn aoth to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies foriegn and domestic and I will abide by that oath...

when they say the title 13 passed by congress gives them authority they are forgetting - or never new - that the laws passed by congress can never usurp the constitution... to many complacent americans have given the gov to much power to create bureacratic towers within the government... these are not constitutional and should be fought as an enemy of the constitution that is domestic...

Well it's been over 2 weeks since I sent my "illegible" form back to them (see my June 4 post to this site) and I have not received a call or visit from anyone. My plan might have worked!!! I'll let you all know if I get contacted but I'm thinking if I don't get contacted in the next week or 2, then I'm in the clear and I've "fulfilled" my responsibility. hahahahahahaha!! :-)

I last posted on May 23,2005 about my American Community Survey plight and about all those home visits I was "graced" with. It has been 3 weeks since any last attempts at contact were made. I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
To continue the story, we were sent 2 packets via Fed Ex. The first one was left at my door. It contained a duplicate survey in case the other 2 were " lost or misplaced". With no response they Fed Exed another parcel, but this one required a signature. Suffice to say, I was never home to accept delivery. The Fed Ex man made 3 attempts to deliver which normally results in a return to sender if delivery with signature confirmation is not garnered . Fed Ex didn't give up and tried to reach me by phone 5 days beyond the parcel send back date. Talking about going above and beyond! For the last week of the ordeal, we were handed off to a more persitent and threatening circulator who left daily notes informing us that we were in violation of law, and would face stiff fines and penalties if we didn't comply by 11:00 p.m., May 31,2005. Each day counting down closer to the deadline, the messages that were left securely taped to my door, were increasingly more urgent. They stated,"I am required by law to make face to face contact with an adult residing at this address and I will return till I do so". They try to scare & make you out to be a criminal for just standing up for your rights !!
Finally,I took out the survey, filled in the blanks for 2 questions. 1.My name (which they already knew because they were calling my home phone, registered in my name, incessantly) and 2. the number of people living there. I also enclosed a letter similar to the one posted by Resident on May 28,2005. Took it to the post office and had them postmark it to beat the deadline.
So, after a total of 22 home visits, and zillions of phone calls, they got less information than I had filled out on my 2000 census, which by the way was the same form as the American Community Survey only diguised as the census long form. What a waste of our tax dollars.
I guess at this rate my mantra will be "We'll Do It All Again, in 2010"
I hope not... Good Luck All
Rubylee

We are being told everyday about Identity theft, not enough Security measures,confidentiality, don't give out your SSN, Birth Date, Etc. So the Gov thinks it's okay for us to fill out all this confidential information and put it in the mail. And hope it reaches it's destination and not getting into the wrong hands. And then being told that the clerks that do the data entry only key your info that they don't care what the data says. Right we are suppose to trust this, along with the world knowing what time a day our homes are empty because we work, or if two females live in a home making them easy prey. Or elderly couple to be stalked out. Being paranoid, not this is all reality. Giving out how many rooms, etc. does nothing but create a blue print. How much we spend on electric, gas, property tax, rent, second mortgages, who's business is this, this is all personal. I've now received my 2nd survey, I have filled out some info that I don't care about the rest I didn't answer I stamped Confidential accross the question. Heck think of all the phone scams, How do you know your really talking to a census person.We are always getting firemen phone scams or HwyPatrol phone Scams then our sheriff gets on the radio and tells you not to donate to these fraud phone calls. So how do you really know for sure whos on the phone. We even have people with false badges going to doors asking for money, etc. So we are suppose to feel secure and safe and just do it because we've been threatend by the law and what they might do if we don't fill these out. I think it's time someone evaluates these surveys. Cut them short. No personal data. Make it simple. Nobody needs this much information unless we are going to the days of not having any rights or privacy.

The below is from the census website. Notice the end:

"Violating this law is a Federal crime with serious penalties, including a
prison sentence of up to five years and a $250,000 fine."

They only need one of us for an example, after that we will all be kissing their butts.

www.census.gov
Overviiew of the Ameriican Communiity Survey
America Is Changing, and So Is the Census
The American Community Survey (ACS) is the cornerstone of the government’s effort to
keep pace with the nation’s changing population and ever-increasing demands for
timely and relevant data about population and housing characteristics. The new survey
will provide current demographic, socio-economic and housing information about
America’s communities every year – information that until now was only available once
a decade.
Starting in 2010, the ACS will replace the long-form census questionnaire that was sent
to about 1-in-6 addresses in Census 2000. And as with the long form, information from
the ACS will be used to administer federal and state programs and distribute more than
$200 billion a year.
Knowledge is power; ACS will provide it
Between decennial censuses, local governments, organizations and businesses cannot
rely on increasingly out-of-date census data to assess and finance local needs, such as
where to build new roads, schools or senior centers. Costly mistakes can result when
planners do not have current data on which to base their decisions or when local
communities do not get a fair share of state or federal funding to help fund local
projects.
Annual results will be available for all areas by 2010
Starting in 2006, data will be available annually for all areas with populations of 65,000
or more. For smaller areas, it will take three to five years to accumulate a large enough
sample to produce annual data. For example, areas of 20,000 to 65,000 can receive
data averaged over three years. For rural areas, small urban neighborhoods or
population groups of less than 20,000, it will take five years to accumulate a sample
size comparable to the decennial census. These averages will be updated every
succeeding year.
ACS expands nationwide in 2005
In 2005, a rolling, random sample of housing unit addresses throughout the United
States and Puerto Rico began receiving the American Community Survey in the mail
every month. Each year, about 1-in-40 addresses, or 2.5 percent of the nation’s
population, will represent their communities when they respond to the survey. Survey
recipients that do not respond after a reminder mailing will be contacted by phone, and
1-in-3 addresses that still do not respond will be visited for an in-person interview.
(more)
Responses are required by law – and they are confidential
-2-
Households that receive the American Community Survey are required by law to
respond. As with all other census answers, a Federal law, Title 13 of the U.S. Code,
provides strong confidentiality protections for all individual information collected by the
Census Bureau. Violating this law is a Federal crime with serious penalties, including a
prison sentence of up to five years and a $250,000 fine.
For more information, visit the American Community Survey Web page at
http://www.census.gov/acs/www.
###
Media contact:
Stephen Buckner
Public Information Office
U.S. Census Bureau
(301) 763-3691
e-mail: pio@census.gov

I see you have tried to address the Census issue.

I believe you got your point across... But I also believe as a citizen of the US we also have very valid points.

Most points are just hard core realities in this world we live in today.

And yes I'm sure we will all fill out the Survey but not to the full extent that the Government is wanting.

I did fill mine out to a degree and stamped Confidential on the question that I did not answer.

You can't promise full security of our information. A fine example is the hackers that broke into that credit card firm. I here of banks having security issues. You can tell us anything you would like.

That's your job.

STOP the “American Community Survey” !!

Please sign this petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/STOPACS/petition.html

I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE MANIFESTATION OF INCOME DISCRIMINATION SO PREVALENT IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

...THE RACIAL QUESTIONS...THE INCOME QUESTIONS...HOUSING(OWN OR RENT)...# OF VEHICLES(FUNNY THEY DON'T WANT THE LICENSE #'S)...FOOD STAMPS...EVEN TO THE POINT OF VALUATION ON A TRAILER HOUSE!--QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY DISTINGUISHING A PERSONS NET WORTH......EVEN MORE SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE LETTERS(DISQUALIFIERS) BETWEEN THE NUMBERED QUESTIONS...

A. ANSWER ONLY IF THIS IS A ONE FAMILY OR MOBILE HOME--SKIP TO #7

B. ANSWER ONLY IF YOU PAY RENT ELSE SKIP TO #19

C.ANSWER IF YOU OWN OR BUYING HOUSE ELSE SKIP TO LETTER E

D. ANSWER IF THIS IS A MOBILE HOME ELSE SKIP TO LETTER E

E. ANSWER IF MORE THAN ONE PERSON LIVES HERE

F. IF YOU SHOP AT WALMART-GO DIRECTLY TO IRAQ!

JUST ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP POLITICIANS KIDS OUT OF IRAQ...DON'T FORGET 'THIS IS A MULTI-GENERATIONAL WAR'...'NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND!'(WHOEVER THOUGHT UP THIS NAME IS A TWISTED GENIUS)...

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez (Cuba-born person and a potential loyalist to somewhere),

Congratulation, United States Department of Commerce. As a deaf (born deaf in America) home owner who uses sign language, I successfully received a American Community Survey package. Good news - I filled out my booklet respectfully and was going to mail it today. I don't mind answering the U.S. government-sponsored questions at all, because I am honest almost all the time, sharply contrast to the spectacular existence of dishonest, preying, and coward politicans, leaders, buzzdozing CEOs/private companies/corporations, central bankers (decades-old private Federal Reserve banks), and lawyers in America. Althought that I am a big-time criticizer on the Zionistic U.S./Israeli establishment, I can be pretty open about my private life, if requested. Warn you that I have received a few results after conducting a brief and speedy research on American Community Survey via using Internet:

"None of Your Business!": the American Community Survey
http://www.survivalarts.com/archives/001095.htmldd

Stop the "American Community Survey"
http://www.petitiononline.com/STOPACS/petition.html

The Thought Police and the American Community Survey
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/september2004/160904thoughtpolice.htm

Thanks for reading but I am not interested in getting your reply. Lately, I don't have a lot of patience with many U.S.-government assaults filled with the political liars, U.S. propaganda, rotten penalties, the passed bankruptcy law, immigration-littering, Zionism, Israel, Zionism-supported 9/11, the illegal war, Supreme Court's decision on private property right, real information censoring (talking about the foreign policy and others), and other violations by U.S. government.

As long as it is not any current availability of U.S.-related war as the immigration flow is slowing down, I am more than happy to fill out the survey without becoming concerned. Now and lately, U.S. government is building its abnormal and compulsive obsession on the Middle East laden with psuedo-supreme beliefs, amid its quest on natural resources for boosting political and energetic powers. It leads to a lot of questions that deserve some answers which everyone, especially the public and common people, needs to get.

I'd like to know how the government will be fined if
our private information is compromised. It's similar to the taxes. We have to pay fines if we're late, but the government is not responsible to pay us if they screw up ?

And how will those businesses using this information be responsible once they outsource our jobs to foreigners? It's time to get rid of the politicians who support this actively or by ignorance.

Oh, and one more thing about this post. It REQUIRES an e-mail address ? So I used a false one :)

Jay-P says:

"Oh, and one more thing about this post. It REQUIRES an e-mail address ? So I used a false one :)"

I'm the owner of this blog. I set the requirement for email
addresses a long time ago, to discourage blogroaches. In
this particular thread, however, I'm fine with fake email
addresses.

Oh darn. I was on vacation the last 10 days and returned home to an answering machine full of messages. I was blessed with a lovely message from the US Census bureau. Apparently she couldn't read my handwriting on my illegible survey. I was SO hoping returning the illegible survey would have worked!!! I deleted the voicemail, surprised that I only had 1 message from her and it was a week old. However, after being away briefly this weekend to enjoy INDEPENDENCE DAY I had a message on my machine. These people are leaving messages on my answering machine on this sacred holiday!?!?!? What is this country coming too? Anyway, I look forward to my first verbal and possibly physical confrontation with this person when she tries contact again. I haven't quite figured out what I'll say yet and will have to improvise. However, my darling and amazing wife promised me that she'll pretend to be mentally ill and have a little fun if the woman calls while I'm at work. (No offense to the mentally ill folks out there - I appreciate your situation). But since I'm saved by the blood of Jesus, no representative of the US government is going to get me down and I plan on laughing all along the way and having as much fun as possible with this. Fine? Imprisonment? Bring it on...I have my battle armor on. Stay tuned tomorrow for "As the intrusive, goverment hack-infested world turns..."

The ACS is Racist!! I am an AMERICAN...Get that? No Hyphenation. A M E R I C A N !!!! If the Census Jerks want to attend Cross Burnings or DiverersiNazi Rallies,fine.I'll simply remain poised to Protect,and Defend The Constitution of The United States.

Somebody hit it on the head earlier I think. Since so many of us have taken the legal option of not being poled by every Tom, Dick and Harry business. The private business lobby has forced the politicians to give them this concession. The same government who ruled out phone solicitation is now collecting the information (and even more completely) then any phone caller ever could. It's actually brilliant and so wickedly planned when you think about it.

What do you think?
Anybody get fined yet?

For what it's worth, I thought I'd enter this fray...

Firstly, for the lot of you who believe that the Census Bureau is collecting our personal information for others...you are RIGHT ON. In the United States Code, Title 13 (Census), Chapter 10 (Exchange of Census Information), you will read the following:

Sec. 401. Exchange of census information with Bureau of Economic Analysis
(a) Exchange of Information. - The Bureau of the Census shall
exchange with the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of
Commerce information collected under this title, and under the
International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act, that
pertains to any business enterprise that is operating in the United
States, if the Secretary of Commerce determines such information is
appropriate to augment and improve the quality of data collected
under the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey
Act. Information provided to the Bureau of Economic Analysis by the
Bureau of the Census shall be only those data collected directly
from respondents by the Bureau of the Census.
(b) Requests for Information. - The Director of the Bureau
requesting information under this section shall make the request in
writing and shall certify that the information will be used only
for statistical activities performed to improve the quality of data
collected under the authority of title 13, United States Code, and
the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act.
(c) Definition. - As used in subsection (a), the terms ''business
enterprise'' and ''United States'' have the meanings given those
terms in section 3 of the International Investment and Trade in
Services Survey Act.

Source
(Added Pub. L. 101-533, Sec. 5(a), Nov. 7, 1990, 104 Stat. 2347.)
In reading (b), you will find that any “business enterprise” [per (a) ] can request information from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (which has received census information from the Census Bureau), by making their request in writing and “shall certify that the information will be used only for statistical activities performed to improve the quality of data collected under the authority of title 13”.

I have read, from the Census Bureau's own website, that Title 13 was amended by Title 18:

The American Community Survey is conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141 and 193, and response is mandatory. According to Section 221, persons who do not respond shall be fined not more than $100. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 3571 and Section 3559, in effect (my emphasis) amends Title 13 U.S.C. Section 221 by changing the fine for anyone over 18 years old who refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers from a fine of not more than $100 to not more than $5,000. The U.S. Census Bureau may use this information only for statistical purposes. We can assure you that your confidentiality is protected. Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to keep all information about you and all other respondents strictly confidential. Any Census Bureau employee who violates these provisions is subject to a fine of up to $250,000 or a prison sentence of up to five years, or both.

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/SBasics/What/What1.htm

I've have been unable to find information anywhere which establishes that Title 13 has indeed been amended by Title 18; this is presumption, wishful thinking (and a bullying tactic) on the behalf of the Census Bureau. Additionally, Section 3559 has to do with “Sentencing classification of offenses”; another attempt at threatening people to comply with their marketing survey for international investors. It is not particularly helpful for the Census Bureau to “promise” that “We can assure you that your confidentiality is protected. Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to keep all information about you and all other respondents strictly confidential...” Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that the information DOES NOT stay at the Census Bureau.

According to my obligations as an adult (over 18 years of age) respondent to this census, my only requirement under CURRENT law is to provide the number of individuals who currently reside at my dwelling...that is all. I do not even have to provide my name. My census form was addressed to “Current Occupant”. They do not have my name or my phone number; nor shall they receive it. I am not lying or misleading...but I am also not providing any additional information that they do not currently possess in their massive data store. If you are one who truly maintains that this survey benefits us all through grants, economic development and such... I would side with “Ozarks Nick” and question how the answer to the question of how many toilets are in my house can possible be helpful to my state and local representatives when it comes to making decisions that would benefit my community?

One last note to DJ who posted July 5th...

I see that you claim to be “saved by the blood of Jesus”; I take that as a claim to be a Christian. If you are indeed a brother in Christ, do you believe and further obey what the Word of God says? If you affirm that you do indeed believe in the Bible and what it says, how do you address Romans 13:1-2; “ Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Your response was, “no representative of the US government is going to get me down and I plan on laughing all along the way and having as much fun as possible with this...” I understand how you feel about this census as I share your aggrevation, yet we cannot drag the “Blood of Jesus” into it, feeling as though it absolves us from all responsibility in this world. Again, under current obligation, the Census Bureau is NOT entitled to all the information that they would truly love to have. They are just another self-serving, lumbering, bureaucracy; while stating that they are fulfilling the letter of the law, they have distorted it, and attempt to reinterpret it to suit themselves and private interest.

My advice to everyone is to do your own homework; obviously you are on the internet if you're reading this...so use the tools at your disposal. Look up these laws, call and write your representatives, and let's get this “Big Brother” propaganda squashed and stricken before those privacy invasive fellows at the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce, and those slick, well-meaning individuals of the International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act, truly pull their resources and laude for an amendment to our Constitution which actually requires this information of us.

http://www.washingtonwatchdog.org/documents/usc/ttl13/index.html
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00003571----000-.html
http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/13C7.txt
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/SBasics/What/What1.htm

M.

M,
I'm questioning at this point that God has established the current state of our government. I think Satan has more of a hand in the evil we are seeing in these times. God is simply allowing this to happen so our country drops to its knees. Hopefully we will turn to him before destroying ourselves.
Additionally, in case you didn't catch it in my previous post, I DID comply with the governing authorities and returned my survey as requested. It was just a bit sloppy. :-)

Update: Only 2 voicemails in the last week and a half. This agent must not be as aggressive as others some of you have experienced. Or perhaps she is circling the wagons and preparing for an all out attack!

DJ,

Not bashing you brother, nor am I condemning or judging. The problem is, "for there is no authority except that which God has established...". Government is merely another facet that has been penetrated by satan (he does not deserve the recognition of a capital "S"), just as the churches have. The "church" for the most part is filled with Sunday-only Christians, who behave and conduct themselves no different than the world. The mantle of blame actually rests squarely on the church's shoulders for failing in it's duty to "man the watchtower". It is beyond obvious in what times we live and the "prince" of this world is quite busy. You are correct that "God is allowing this to happen..."; we, as a country, are being turned over to our depravity...for God will not be mocked (Galations 6:7).

"Hopefully we will turn to Him before destroying ourselves"; it doesn't look too good. The ONLY thing that will save this country is revival...and I'm not talking about the circus tent with the banner on it emblazoned with the word "revival" on it either. "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17.

Oh, and a note to everyone else...please return to your regularly scheduled broadcast...

M

someone posted "this survey is helping to determine funding for roads, hospitals, senior citizen centers and many other important things that go into communities."

EXCUSE ME, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, please tell me how the number of toilets I have in my home helps the government determine how many f**king roads to build?

Politicians want a voter base, and big businesses want customers. Neither one really cares who they are, or how they are living, as long as the power and wealth keep rolling in. Legal American constituants are losing thier constitutionally enumerated and Govt. guaranteed Liberty, in favor of Illegal Immigrant A-Holes from around the world.The politicians and the businessmen stopped listening to (and hiring) Legal Americans a long time ago.The reason survey data is so important to these Pricks, is so they can figure out when to get rid of thier complaint departments, (mostly offshore now),and simply tell ALL Legal Americans to go F**K themselves. Or when to bring the troops home to kill us off. I'll bet the NSA runs this site.

I have just known about this ACS. Fortunately, I found this inspiring website where people is FIGHTING. My thoughts are that these home visitors wouldn't be so nice if they could lawfully enforced the penalties they claim, instead of trying to obtain the data by having the citizens reasonably complying. Which thankfully is not happening. Certainly, not many people is going to comply, I hope, what are they going to do?! prosecute all of us?! NOT IF WE STAY TOGETHER!
In regards to the sheep-employee of the US Census bureau. How much do they pay you for saying those mindless comments? You are certainly undermining the intelligence of citizens if you think we are going to buy into your stupid reasons to respond to the criminal ACS.Besides, Wallmart is taking property from citizens so it is a good thing if they don't use "the number of times a day we go upstairs in our house" to open a new store. It is a shame that our tax money goes into people like you. Hopefully, you are a big consumer and put the money back into the economy. How are you going to respond to the survey?

Bring the F**g survey on!

I have read all the posts on here and think the best course of action is to answer the required questions of how many people live at the residence and n/a what you don't want to answer. It looks like the fines are maximums, $100 for not answering $500 for lying and $250,000 for anyone giving out the information to an unauthorized party and there are no documented cases where anyone has been prosecuted although it does appear you may be persecuted.

The best way I have found to deal with the government is to stay below their radar.

Some questions to ponder ...
Who revealed the secret agent? Where are the WMD? Where is Bin Laden? Why are we not investing in alternative fuel technology? Why are gas prices so high? Where is the Iraq oil money going? If things calm down in Iraq will the US still be able to keep pumping the oil out of Iraq? Are things really worse or are bad things just more visible? If our forefathers fought and died for freedom why would we give it up without a wimper for security against terrorism? If the government is protecting us against terrorists then who is protecting us from the government? Why do I feel like a lemming being marched off a cliff? Is ignorance really bliss?

Seems to be a world gone mad with greed ... my solace is that the last time I looked God was still in control. Kind of makes you feel sorry for the bad guys.

How did this otherwise good thread turn into a Bush bashing fiesta? How come nobody mentions the lovely OSHA home office compliance crap that Clinton tried to pass, or the sampling census proposal to screw up redisctricting in favor of liberals when most areas are growing republican. I suppose nationalized healthcare is a good idea too? It would scary to let the government know how my health is... even though they probably know already.

I just received my form. I feel obligated to follow laws but at the same time, just because someone tells you to do something, you have to ask if it is mandated.

It appears that some government form as pretended it's mandated, but is it constitutional? The law was to put the Japanese into prision camps but I don't think anyone would agree it was constitutional much less moral.

Here's an interesting paragraph from the census site: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/Report01.pdf

The American Community Survey is crucial to a successful 2010 census design (See page 7). Collecting long form data throughout the decade via the ACS will have a profound effect on both 2010 census design planning and outcome. Implementing the ACS in 2003 means that by 2008 staff responsible for planning the 2010 decennial census will have confidence that long form data, including data for the smallest areas and groups, will be available, thus precluding the need to collect long form data as part of the 2010 census. By having only a short form in 2010, the Census Bureau can more sharply focus on its constitutional mandates–to fully enumerate the population to apportion the House of Representatives. The ACS development program–supported by a complete and accurate address system–will simplify the decennial design, resulting in improved coverage in 2010.

Note what the reference to "constitutional mandates" entails - enumeration.

And at the Conclusion: The Census Bureau has a constitutional and statutory mandate to enumerate the population and housing of the U.S. as well
as to collect detailed demographic and socioeconomic data needed by policymakers at multiple levels of government.

"...as well ... needed by ..."

Hmmmm.

I'm curious. What happens if you live in a large secure apartment building and have no home phone, only a cell phone?

Has anyone in this situation received a survey? How would they "visit" your home to knock on your door or leave their card? Or do they just send surveys to people who are easy to harrass?

Lastly, if I ever receive such a survey, I'll answer how many people live in my home. That's all.

Well I received my second copy and one phone message so far. After reading the messages I am going to send it in with the number of people in my house and N/A on everything else. We'll see what happens. If they want to know how to improve the roads, they can have their reps drive in the traffic here. No need to know when I leave my house.

And btw- to Rodney, keep your stupid ploitical ideas out of here. If u think 9-11 was supported by zionists, go and live amongst the terrorists who were dancing in the streets when the twin towers collapsed. They'll gladly drag your burned body in the streets. You don't get it . It would seem you like freedom and don't want some fanatic telling you what to do. So great, let's have the government kill enough of us so that those remaining flee to Mexico, where we will be bombed daily until we are driven in to the sea. It happened in Europe.

I have a heads up to keep you from being called and having field reps comming to your home regarding the American Communitty Survey. 1st the ACS has a DUE DATE just like taxes when you rec'v the 1st letter telling you that your household has been selceted you have 2 months to reply. After 2 months at the begining of the 3rd month you will begin to rec'v phone calls from the Census Bureau employees called a telephone interviewer they will offer the opportuniy to complete by phone. ( if you dissmiss the phone calls they will become more freq.) After the Dead line has come and gone then they can and they will send Feild Reps to the address selected to collect the data. There are two ways of doing this survey. Option one is spending 2 or more hrs filling out the form (if the household size is more than 5 then they will have a telephone interviwer call or send a feild rep to gather data for the other people) the ACS form only holds data for 5 people. Or you can call the toll free number on the back of the form or wait till the telephone inter. calls and do the survey by phone. Its quicker and less time consuming then filling out the form and with a phone interview you can remain annymous you can also give estimates when it comes to all income questions. Once its done its done your address will not be selected again for the next 5 years. Remember the ACS does not ask for your SOCIAL SECURITY # or BANK ACCOUNT INFO. and NO GOVERNMENT SURVEY PAYS! If they say they do hang up and do not give them any info. For those who still feel leary about the ACS just do it on the phone and just tell the interviwer PASS on any question(s) you do not want to answer. (you cannot pass every question and if any question is left blank on the form phone inter will call back to gather the info or field reps). Doing the survey over the phone is the # 1 guarantee that you will not be harrassed. Keep in mind every question is asked for a certian reason if you have doubt or concern just ask the person you're doing the interview with and they can answer it.

Bill of Rights: Amendment IV

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

These days, with computers databases and a government bent on abusing the Constitution by way of fear-mongering, that should also include private information!!

To find out how the American Community Survey works behing the scenes, go to :
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:tLCTA3rqV0MJ:www.fcsm.gov/committees/ihsng/diffendalasa2000.pdf+American+Community+Survey&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Have a look at this artical:

"Senate Funding Level Would Doom American Community Survey and Automated Data Collection in 2010, Census Bureau Says"

http://www.civilrights.org/issues/census/details.cfm?id=32952

Here are some informative articles you might be interested in:

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=17910
"Constitution is stupid,' argues Census worker"

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=17907
"Census Bureau asks thy neighbor"

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=17832
"U.S. incensed over census"

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=17838
"Census Bureau answers critics"

Read this: http://www.realtor.org/PublicAffairsWeb.nsf/Pages/AmericanComntySurvey04?OpenDocument
Why do we as tax payers, pay for these surveys to invade our privacy to give to profit organizations? I am sick to my stomach that this is what our government is coming to and wasting our taxes on. I think that this is also a safety issue for my family in that I don't want to give this information to anyone. Why do they need to know when my husband leaves for work every morning?

I have tried to research the "ACS" and be objective as possible. I have found no reason to fill out this survey. All of the information requested is the responsibility of the State and Local Gorvenments. My local County Supervisors have been debating the location new schools and hospitals for the last ten years. Not only that, but the information was shared with the citizens of the county we put things to a vote. Wow, imagine that, a government that works!

For any of you that believe that the ACS is a 'Good Thing' please view the US Bureau of Census. Try to get any of their information free. It's impossible! We must respond by law and spend 38 minutes (Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!) filling out their forms so that they can sell a compiled CD with everybodys information for $1200.00. The Government is not allowed to make a profit (which they probably are not) but they are making an income on our data that we are compelled to supply free.

I say Article II, Section I, Clause III treats the Census properly. If anyone disagrees with this statement, please review Admendment 10 to the US Constitution.

Thank you for reading my diatribe.

Best Regards to All,
Jim Krupa

I think the one who posted on August 22 may be right. I only filled out the count (enumeration) and sent a letter explaining why it was not filled out and to count everything else as "refused to answer".

A few weeks later, we receive a postcard reminding us to fill it out. About a month later, we get a second survey. (Would sending it in now buy more time?) I decided I better hurry up with that letter and send it in.

About a total of 2 months later, we get the first phone call. They wanted to confirm a "couple" of things on the survey. So I agreed in the most pleasant manner I could muster. After the count questions, they started getting into the other questions and I stopped them. I asked if they received my letter. No, they did not have it - only a form with blank answers. The ones who opened it probably sighed, "Oh, another one", threw it away and gave the survey to the "back" office. I think they may operate as Orlando's water department - the "back" office has no idea what the "front" office is doing.

They got the idea I did not want to answer the questions and asked if I was refusing to answer. I said yes -- and thought, easy enough.

About two weeks later, I now get another phone call with the person having no knowledge of the letter nor the previous phone call -- wanting to confirm a "couple" of questions. On the second question asking about the year the house was built, I asked if this was the last question. The interviewer said "no" in such a way that led me to think there were LOTS more questions. I asked about the letter and then said "hang on, I have a copy". I then retrieved it and read the whole thing to him.

He asked if I was refusing to answer. Politely, I told him, "yes and that was what I told the previous caller". He then quoted title 13 to me and something about the survey not for determining roads. (I may have listened to him read about as much as he listened to me)

I suspect there will be more calls or someone coming out. I was depressed from the August 22 writer that we will most likely have to surrender to the terrorists. Unfortunate.

I'm not sure if it is a key, but the interviewer seemed to emphasize more than once that there were "blank" questions. I knew enough from before, that no returned survey brought them to you, but thought if they scanned a code it would work. Now, I wonder if there must be something, even if it is N/A, on each question. Of interesting note, they seem to be plugging away a question at a time. My wife first answered the phone and they got one, not so invasive question answered, and they started with the next one with me when they called back.

We must keep the flag flying! Hold out for as long as possible against the terrorists! They are not a external terrorists, but internal terrorists of the mind. And a mind is a poor thing to lose.

"1st the ACS has a DUE DATE just like taxes when you rec'v the 1st letter telling you that your household has been selceted you have 2 months to reply"

I just re-read all the crap I have about this thing, and I have nothing in writing giving a due date. Maybe it was with the first form which I threw out because it had the authorization number on the wrong side of the front page.

Anyway, I have avoided having any contact with these people, and after a few months they seem to have given up. If I ever get a legal document advising me I have to reply by a certain date to avoid fines, etc. then I will contemplate whether I will fill this thing out.

My papers include all kinds of crap from the director about how they "guarantee" privacy. Only God can "quarantee" anything, "man" cannot even guarantee his next breath. What these idiots mean is a warranty. So they pay some penalty if they violate my rights- BIG DEAL! So they get hung by their balls, or shot, doesn't reinstate my confidentiality! The old adage I learned at my Daddy's knee is still correct- " Those who can- do, those who cannot do- teach, those who cannot teach- go into politics, and those who cannot make it in politics- go into public service."

Even for dyed in the wool political hacks, this group is comparitively inane.

Mike

"Keep in mind every question is asked for a certian reason" (sic)

Just because the government has a "reason" for oppressing its citizens doesn't mean it is right! Hitler, Stalin, Saddam, Papa Doc, Idi Amin and many others all had their "reasons"! The British had their "reasons" for oppressing the colonists and for destroying the Acadians!

Come on people, this is why our forefathers fought the Revolution and wrote those two magnificent documents, the Declaration and the Constitution. They knew government was dangerous and wrote the constitution to protect the citizens from the government. I cannot believe how many people today are so trusting of government, and are so willing to let the government think for them. Don't they know history at all? Come to think of it, they probably don't if they went public school in the last couple of decades. Might not even be able to read the Declaration or Constitution if they ever saw a copy.

Bottom line, the governmental system given to us 200+ years ago by the blood of our forefathers was designed to protect us from this kind of abuse(ACS). From the way things are going of late, their sacrifice and that of so many others was in vain.

Phone calls are coming fast and furious! Just got the next one. I asked why were they calling when the previous caller acknowledged I refused to answer. They said they still had blank answers and would continue calling until it was completed. They told me how good it was to build roads, etc. I told them I didn't want new roads, higher taxes at schools, and rebutted every one. They said it didn't matter what I wanted, that new roads etc. would go in whether I answered or not. I said I didn't want to answer. Too, bad, they may or may not call back and may send an enumerator. What? to count?

In my letter, which they ignored, I mentioned two instances where students at KU and customers of the credit card company were insured (guaranteed) their privacy and data were secure. And, as Mike was saying, so they pay a penalty. The student's data was still posted on the internet and both of their security were forever breached. So, people, think of that if you surrender to the terrorists.

I asked on this last call, if I could fill out the second form they sent. They said no, it was already scanned and would be kicked out. I said the county has lots of the information. They said it was against the law, against the privacy act, to ask them for it. I said, exactly and that's why I don't want to give it to them.

Writing letters appear pointless, declining calls seems pointless. The only good initial way was to talk to their computer scanner. I wonder if a good suggestion would be to write N/A on fill-in-the-blank fields and / or, just mark the first or last, but put a statement on the form (maybe in a field) that you are refusing to answer and that you marked the first question as indication of each on. You are honest that way, with no intent to deceive.

I guess I need to worry about what to say to the enumerator that shows up. Fake madness, insanity, ask their idea what the answer should be, ask how each question benefits or discriminates against me... I'm open to suggestions.

I can't find it now, but one of the links posted showed where that data would be shared. One was the EPA! And one link was showing how if you are not of certain races, they will use that data to discriminate against you. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot.

Hope this helps in everyone's fight.

I too received the survey. I was totally offended by the personal nature of the questions. I threw the first one in the trash. About 30 days later, I received a second one which I kept, but have not filled out. Fortunately for me, my phone number is unlisted so they cannot call. A Field Representative came to my home three weeks ago but I was not home. He left his card and requested me to call for an interview. (I did not) He showed up again this past Saturday. I guessed that it was him, and didn't answer the door. He left another card with a note on it. "It is important that you call me with an interview time." I will not. There are good articles on the constitutionality of the survey at The Rutherford Institute web site. I will not answer the questions. It is my understanding that they are not prosecuting people for not answering. If they try, I will hire a lawyer.

Anyone who gets fined and wants to start a class action please post here!
So far I have yet to hear of anyone being fined.
Anyone?

Check out this link -- http://reform.house.gov/FC/Hearings/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=25665

We need to contact our own Congressmen about the ACS but we should also contact the people involved with the committee which gives the Census Bureau their directives. I read the witness testimonies and found out that my Congressman was instrumental in obtaining funds for the ACS. He did not tell me that in my first letter complaining about it. Now he knows... I know! We can complain all we want on web sites but it takes letters to our lawmakers to affect a change.

Please check out this site and note that the people really interested in the ACS are big business. Why shouldn't they be, it's less money they have to spend on research to expand their profits and all of the information is supplied compliments of the resident sheeple.

As far as roads, hospitals and schools are concerned, aren't we paying local government officials to determine this? If they are just looking at US Government census data, then what work are they really doing? Any idiot can do that!

Today I heard a quote from General Honore -- "Let's not stay stuck on stupid." Although, I'm not calling anyone who has posted on this site stupid, I think the quotation is appropriate. Always question your government -- Don't just follow blindly! That is the way it has to work. That is Democracy In Action.

Best Regards,
Jim Krupa

We heard from The Census Bureau again today. The Field Representative somehow got both my husband and my cell phone numbers and called. She asked to set up an interview. I told her that there was no reason to do so that we had two adults and one child in the residence and declined to answer any other questions. I told her that I have reported the American Community Survey to both the ACLU and the Rutherford Institute and that if they did not stop contacting me that we were prepared to sue. I also told her to not call on our cell phones again or I would get a restraining order against her. In one of her phone messages, she told me that she is a local realtor. Is there a conflict of interests here? It really feels like big brother. I'm totaly creaped out.

Well, I found out that the Field Representative flashed a badge at my neighbor and intimadated her into giving her our names and our cell phone numbers. I suggest that you warn your neighbors to not give out any personal information. I hope this all ends soon.

Sounds like it's time to find out if thier stinking badges are bulletproof!!

American Community Survey called again today on my cell phone. She asked if I got a Fed Ex package with information explaining why it was important to answer the survey. I told her I did, and that I refused to answer any questions except 2 adults and 1 child lived in the residence. I then reitterated that she was calling me on my cell phone and that it was unacceptable. If she or anyone else from the Census Bureau called me on my sell phone that I was going to fine suit for harrassment. I told her that I thought the survey was a violation of my rights to privacy and that it was unconstitutional. I asked if I had made myself clear on the subject. She said yes. Do you think they will stop now? hum......

lets all call them and give our opinion on the survey, be polite, no cussing!!!!!!!!
their no.
IN 1-800-582-8330
MD 1-800-321-1995
AZ 1-800-786-9448

" I guess I need to worry about what to say to the enumerator that shows up. " 9/18/05

Call the police and tell them you have a trespasser on your property who won't leave.
=============================================
Stop the intrusive “American Community Survey”!

http://www.petitiononline.com/STOPACS/petition.html

I got mine a few weeks ago, looked at it, and was like no way am i answering this.... now they are starting to show up when im at work, leaving card ect..... this is going to be interesting when i come home from work in full body armor with my duty belt and glock .... As a fellow badge carrier I think im going to have to have the badge carrying census police sit down and a little talk about freedom, ethics, and the ideals of our founding fathers

Just got mine today. Glad I was suspicious that such personal information is "Required by law" and searched for more info. The will be getting my form back with number of persons and N/A for everything else.

It has been 30 days since my last contact with the American Community Survey. I have been reading that the Senate Appropriations Committee is not setting aside enough money for the ACS to continue. I hope that is true.

Decreased Census Funding Threatens American Community Survey Implementation

By Tyler Lewis
civilrights.org
October 17, 2005

Efforts to cut back funding for the American Community Survey (ACS), an ongoing nationwide survey that will replace the census long form in the next decennial census in 2010, threaten to derail the program after only one year of nationwide implementation.

The Census Bureau has said it will suspend the ACS and prepare to administer a traditional long form for the 2010 Census if conferees adopt the funding level ($727.4 million) allocated by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Experts representing research, government, business, and community development perspectives discussed the widespread use of Census data and the unique benefits the ACS provides through its more timely and accurate data, at an October 14 briefing convened by the Brookings Institution.

Denise Warren of the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center (GNOCDC) spoke of her organization's use of ACS data on the city and community level. GNOCDC provides data to neighborhood groups, nonprofits, New Orleans city officials, and others in New Orleans for use in planning, funding for projects geared at specific communities, and city policy.

ACS tracks migration on from year to year - as compared to the long form, which tracks migration every 5 years - making ACS data superior to the 2000 data and increasingly important for rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, Warren said. She said without the sub-state data from the ACS, the city could be "flying blind" in the efforts to rebuild the city.

Many of the panelists expressed frustration at the possibility of having to abandon recently implemented uses of ACS data and returning to the outdated 2000 Census figures if appropriate levels of funding are not allocated.

Improving Congress' understanding of the value of ACS presents a significant challenge, according to panelists and attendees. "Not funding ACS is kind of ignoring how fast society is changing...and the kinds of information people really need," said William O'Hare, director of KIDS COUNT, who discussed how his organization uses ACS data to influence local and state policies affecting children.

Other panelists included, James W. Eskew, assistant director of Cusman & Wakefield Client Solutions, a consulting firm, and William H. Frey, fellow of the Metropolitan Policy Program of the Brookings Institution.

i got the form in the mail today and, being a nonconformist by nature, am naturally tempted to put it in my trusty paper shredder. by the way, don't just throw the form in the trash with your address showing. who knows who'll get ahold of that? make sure you shred the damn thing in a paper shredder so the entire form is shredded into tiny, illegible pieces. however, i'm tempted to fill out the survey and send it in to avoid any possible problems i don't need.

i live in a condo building which is locked from the outside, but i have a feeling that a government agent could easily find his/her way in and knock on doors and leave business cards. i don't need or want that kind of harassment. believe me, i'm extremely tough and unyielding with a very mean temper when warranted. i have absolutely no problem standing up for myself or screaming at people, even strangers, who are rude or mean or just plain wrong.

however, you really don't want to fool around with the government or the police unless you want to get arrested as some sort of political statement. and i really don't want to get arrested. i fear arrest and jail because once you're caught in that system, it's tough to get out unless you're extremely wealthy or well-connected.

my father died last year, and he was basically my protector and safety net. that's gone now, and i feel vulnerable enough without enticing the government to come get me for failing to fill out their disgustingly intrusive form. i guess i'll have to fill it out in a sloppy, cursory way, yet with a mind to keep the government and law off my back at all costs.

How much is my mortgage payment? My utility bills? How many weeks did I work last year? What is my house worth? How many vehicles are kept here? Is there a business conducted from this property? Flushable toilet? And on and on. I find it very interesting that the ACS spreads us so far apart we can't find neighbors to join forces with. If my community information were so important, wouldn't it make sense to gather it within the same year, before all that "valuable" information changed yet again? There's a new movie coming out, about horrors of the McCarthy era in our government's history. If we refuse to answer the Q's on the ACS does that put us on a "subversive" list? Why isn't there a very loud, very clear refusal, on the part of the American people, to give up their private and personal information>

I've contacted my Senators and Congresspeople and told them that it is the most intrusive document that I have ever seen and that I would not participate. I even sent an e-mail to the White House about it. I don't know why more people are not protesting. A Senator from Texas tried to get it quashed, and no one would listen to him. I'm just hoping that there won't be funding for the program and that it will die quietly. The field representative has not contacted me in more than one month. I hope they gave up on me.

I got two in the mail. One the first one I looked and found this site. I did not send the first one in because I "knew" what would happen next, because of this message board. Like clock work...we got a second one in. Did not fill that one out. Got a call...just like the message board said...I am going to call them in about 10 minutes and give them just the required info (how many people in current residence etc). I will answer a couple more like any long lasting conditions (just because it is all no) my commute time, maybe they will widen the highways for me ;-) .
I will get back in touch and let others know how the phone conversation went...for a twist I am going to record the conversation after I let them know that the conversation will be recorded.

Ok I called and answered the questionnaire. The lady was quite pleasant. It really was pretty painless. Most the questions can be passed. Some of the Yes or No questions can also be passed, like the personal information (ie education ...has attended school). The household 'Yes or No' questions (I was told the computer did not accept "pass") are not able to be passed. They did not get any info on me that they don't all ready have. I recorded the whole survey. At the end of the survey I ask if I am to expect any more calls. The lady said no, but then she said I might get a call back to confirm I passed on all most all the questions. I will post again if I hear back from them. Remember some people and organizations can control you when you are afraid.
Never fear.

Joe, did they allow you to pass on the financial questions, ie. mortgage payments, value of the house?
Will they try to fine you for every question you passed on?

As a government worker, I have this to say: This information is vital to our penultimate goal. Our courageous leaders have deemed it necessary that we should tally the resources available.

As said earlier, how can we identify the best place to procure new land away from wasteful owners to build another much needed Walmart or Home Depot? You must realize it is necessary to build at least one per mile, as we need to employ or at least drug-test as many of their prospective employees as we can. Remember, drug users are all terrorists, and not deserving of employment. Sooner or later we will catch them all, and force them to work their lives away in the majestic work prisons you have allowed us to create to keep you safe.

It is also very difficult to assist FEMA to build the New Freedom Camps without knowing how many potential internees may be required to be accomodated. The coming bird flu and terrorist nuclear attack we've planned require planning. We are required to prepare for a 48-hour disaster.

Your financial information is quite confidential between all the groups of government and related private sector corporations. We are required by law to disclose only to 'approved interested outside parties'. It is important to remember that we require these parties to employ at least 10 U.S. Citizens of at least dual-citizenship.

Additionally, we need to ensure adaquate housing and infrastructure for our new latin american brothers who we promise unending employment and benefits, even if we must take from those Americans less deserving. You must understand, it is paramount that we know how many bilingual signs and forms to produce. It is important at the utmost to know exactly where Mexican military forces are on our soil, and where migrant worker camps may placed for maximum business efficiency.

Soon we will fuse the goyem with Canada and Mexico, and we will share their impecable morality and way of life. Once complete, we will begin the glorious new war of conquest through the Middle East, Latin America and the rest of the world. You will all have the opportunity to be burned or bleed to death with honorable sacrifice as our triumphant leaders guide the world to the new world order of freedom we are creating in front of your eyes.

How dare you question our authority? Our interminable might? Don't you realize that you exist at our whim? You are all servants and we are your masters. Your petty elections do not concern us. Your constitution means nothing. We'll change it tomorrow as we see fit. We rule you. You are just spectators of the reality we create.

We won't bother those who do not answer our questions. However, there will come a time ewhen you will come to know the exquisite suffering of those who refuse to bow down before our lord George W. Bush, whose name is Blessed simultaneously by Jesus & Satan but will reign forever. You will learn to love our torture, even as you crave it now.

It is important that you submit NOW to your new, north american order. Do not resist, if you know what's good for you.

Here was my posting to the protest URL;

"http://www.petitiononline.com/STOPACS/petition.html"

==========================================
If it is illegal for the ACS to obtain this information from Local City, State and Federal sources then it should most certainly be illegal for them to even attempt to obtain this information from me personally. I cannot believe this is allowed to continue after all the Terrorist threats (ie Identity Theft) that we are all faced with today. It would be way too easy for terrorists to fake these surveys, asking citizens to divulge additional personal information, and to use this information negatively. I find it completely understandable that any US Resident question the validity of any request (and even refuse) to divulge any of this type of personal information. Furthermore, there absolutely has to be a better way to collect only the information on population counts and community needs, etc., that is useful for the supposed purpose of this Census without wasting Tax Payer $$ on witch-hunting, stalking and harassing our citizens… There simply has to be a better way… Please end this!!!
====================================

I have to say, I was completely surprised to see that only "129" people have signed that board so far... This website needs to be advertised somehow. Tell everyone that you know. I guess the problem is if you haven't received one of these, what I call "threatening," letters then you probably don't care, cause you're not a victom of this. But if we can somehow make people understand that they can easily become a victom of this harrasment then they may want to help. Definitely call and/or write your Senators and Governors and (politely) complain about this too.

What a pain in the @$$!!!

Thanks to all who posted above. I received one of these insidious surveys this week. After reading what everyone else has shared, I'll be filling mine out as follows:
Names: Current Resident 1 & Current Resident 2
Phone: Unlisted
I may answer a few questions, but I will definitely be stamping "confidential" on the majority.

I received the ACS form in the mail many months ago & ignored it. Then later opened it, not knowing exactly what it was, & scoured through it. The questions I saw made me sick.

Contemplating the idea of complying with this "supposedly legal" demand for personal information brought a feeling of doom upon me. After reading the type of questions enclosed & finding myself vehemently opposed to cooperating, I closed the form & sat there feeling like I had woken from a bad dream. My heart was racing and my face was flush red &,here in the comfort of my own home/apartment, I felt like a trapped animal.

A month or so later, another form arrived to replace the first one that I had ignored. Then came a letter from a representative of the Census Bureau informing me of the fact that I should have already received said survery forms, and returned them, & that I should take the time to do so now.

Today, months after receiving my first survey form, I opened my door to find a hand signed note, from my local Census Bureau representative, in my door. He had kindly supplied his phone number and requested that I contact him, by phone, so that I may be interviewed. I couldn't believe it. They actually came to my house! I like my privacy, a lot, and having someone coming to my house, under the guise of legal authority, to harrass me, really is pushing me over the edge.

I've only lived at this garage apartment for a little more than 1 year; and this is the first place that I have ever lived that I felt comfortable & happy; but now, because of this Census harassment, I feel like I'm going to have to move out of my house/apartment to escape Big Brother. I've thought about removing my mailbox from out by the street, so that this garage apartment will no longer have a mailing address. My thought was "no mailbox = no mailing address = no resident". If the form requires the response of the resident, then I should eliminate any indication that this is a residence. No residence = no resident! Oh, then I must cancel my landline telephone, since surely the census bureau can trace my name to that, and then of course cancel my cable internet & cable tv for the same reason.

The funny thing is that 99.9% of the american population probably has no qualm about filling-out & returning the American Census Survey, so why am I so different, even to the point that I feel like I am being forced to permanently leave my residence, in an effort to remain anonymous?

It makes one wish they were living on an island.

Sorry, this island has no mailing address! :-)

I too will only answer for my wife and myself as resident #1 and resident #2. I would not give any of the information that is requested to my best friend let alone strangers. The government has no right attempting this blatent intrusion of our privacy. I can only imagine that this is only Big Brother putting his big toe in the water of our lives to see if it is warm enough yet for a full blown cannon-ball jump into total, all incompassing documentation and control of every aspect of everyone's life. Absolute control can only come with absolute power and knowledge being power, answering these questions will only serve to aid what our founding fathers strove so hard to avoid. Bigger, more intrusive government. Until we all become desensitised to government surveys and intrusion Big Brother will just bide his time. Eventually our children or our children's children will be "trained" to cheerfully comply with any and all government/corporate reguests, surveys, demands, and consumer sugeestions.
We all have diverged so far from the basics of life that some Americans would hardly know how to survive if the television went out and the local grocery chain closed it's doors. People have forgotten how to make their own decisions and what the real "necessities" are for survival. We work harder now to aquire what our consumer oriented society has deemed necessities that we have drifted away from family and community. Many of the tangible objects we treasure for making our lives easier only serve to perpetuate our involvement and reliance in a world that has swayed away from real health and happiness. So many of the "things" people covet and strive for are of no real "value." Face it you can't take your cell phone or your Bently with you when you die.
Big brother has no logical need for any answers on this survey asside from those pertaining to enumeration of the population. Our nation has been steadily blurring the edges between where government ends and corporations begin. How many of our politicians hold down two jobs, one privately and one politically? We are supposed to quietly accept that no motives exist other than serving "we the people" while backroom deals and no-bid contracts are handed out with a pat on the ass, a wink, and a nod.
Our forefathers are surely spinning in their graves in distgust.

i received my first survey and also a reminder letter in one week. will someone come knocking on my door if i dont respond and what will happen if i choose to ignore this survery? i feel threatened here!

It disgusted me that only 2-3 days after receiving the initial survey, I received the reminder letter. It seems like the government's tactics are to pressure the recipient into complying quickly, so the recipient won't have a chance to question the process.

I've discussed this survey with a few people I know and was particularly surprised that a good friend of mine, who is (or was?) very anti-government accepts this survey as legitimate. This stems from endoctrination that it is scientifically legitimate for the collection of statistics. Trust me, I know all about the importance of data collection, from a background of scientific training. But there is NO reason that such data needs to be linked to one's name, address, phone number, and freakin' birth date DOWN TO THE DAY. Why do they need to know the day you were born? Will we be receiving birthday presents from the federal government? I think not. Data for statistical purposes can and should be collected without linkage to personal identity. End of story.

Like most posters on this board we received the "survey". Filled it out but didn't send it. Got several reminder cards and Christmas Eve got another survey. I guess in case we lost or misplaced the first one.

It has occured to me that most of the information they are requesting is already available to them from other fed, state and local agencies. The others are not relevent. And I don't beleive for one moment that the provided information will be kept confidential.

"The check is in the mail" and 'I'm from the government and here to help you!"

Ya, right.

So the government wants our information and our trust. Just a couple of thoughts.

•Bill Clinton got Blown while in the presidency...and not by Hillary.
•Hmmm....FEMA did a good job of protecting us..NOT.
•Tom Ridge....'nuff said.
•Iran Contra...
•I believe that Olly North did a little time
•"I am not a crook"....Nixon Era
•Watergate, Whitewater, Toiletwater...

And, what makes government workers different from those in the private sector:
•Martha Stewart has worn stripes
•Can you think of some Enron folks ?
•How about Microsoft anti-trust

In other words, nobody, not government, not business, not thy neighbor, absolutely nobody can be trusted with your private data! Love thy neighbor...YES, trust thy neighbor...NEVER.

Let's assume that the Census Collective Borg is "all under control", anyone talk to Kevin Mitnick recently. He might have an opinion on their ability to keep this data private.

How is their computer security? What counter measures have they put in place? Are they running IDS? Anti-virus? Anti-spyware? Anti-disgruntled employee ware? Are they sending their data across SSL? Plaintext? Pony Express?

I work for a company that "guarantees privacy" and anyday of the week, I could walk off with millions of customer records (probably including yours) if I became "disloyal" all of a sudden.

I don't believe that anyone has a right to ask, much less force us to reveal private, personal data. If VISA has a hard time keeping your credit card number private, how could we possibly expect the government to keep a 24 page detailed profile private?

How do you spell ID Theft? A-C-S

If they ask you what sexual position you favor most because it will help predicate matress manufacturer regulations and frame stress requirements, must we answer? How many kids in your household and in what manner were they conceived? Uh, 9...little Jimmy was on the subway, Jenny was in the backseat of my GTO, Scooby happened in the Mystery Machine with Daphne...and I can't remember the names of the other 6...or that of their mothers.

I've been backdoored by friends, but at least most of them kissed me first before bending me over. I didn't even receive a flower with my survey.

Well, enough of my tirade. I received one of these ACS (hey, how about an acronym contest) POS (piece of $h!t) and am debating the best course of action.

ACS could mean:
------------------------

1. Another Crappy Survey


2. All Creepy Senators


3. Assholes Can Suckshit (okay, that's cheating)


4. Americans Can Sayno (this one too, but I liked it)

I have seen a questionaire intended as a defense against telephone selicitors. I have tried it and it worked well. The person called simply turns the interview back on the unwanted caller by requiring a bunch of specific identification before answering anything. Perhaps this method would deter the ACS operators. We can take our lead from the ACS form and ask for much of the same questions.

What is your full name? Marital status?
What is your mailing address?
What is your phone number? Home phone?
Social security number? Etc, etc

Explain that without the full information you cannot know the caller is not just another unsolicited call selling something or attempting identity theft.

I have seen a questionaire intended as a defense against telephone selicitors. I have tried it and it worked well. The person called simply turns the interview back on the unwanted caller by requiring a bunch of specific identification before answering anything. Perhaps this method would deter the ACS operators. We can take our lead from the ACS form and ask for much of the same questions.

What is your full name? Marital status?
What is your mailing address?
What is your phone number? Home phone?
Social security number? Etc, etc

Explain that without the full information you cannot know the caller is not just another uns