"None of Your Business!": the American Community Survey

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 unsolicited call selling something or attempting identity theft.

I got this survey in the post and I have to say I simply infuriated by the nature of these questions. I can't believe the invasive nature of this questionnaire and I don't have any plans to cooperate with it. Believe it or not, I filled the thing out and then thought to myself, what the heck am I doing, this is just crazy. I would consider myself to pretty middle of the road when it comes to dealing with authority, but this survey has really gone way over the top. I can't believe that more people don't seem to be talking about this. I hope something can be done to stop this sort of thing because this isn't what I call American freedom.

Cheers,

j

i received my form a week ago and just opened it tonight. i was so mad when i read the questions. i called the no. offered on the form and finally talked to a person by dialing "O". i told her i didn't want to give out such personal information. i asked her when it was due as it wasn't stated on the form and she said "hopefully you will return it in 2-3 weeks after receiving it. A noncomittal statement. i then said i wasn't going to provide the information and was i going to be fined. she again evaded the question. finally, after realizing that i meant business, she said rather than names i could put "man of the house" "lady of the house" and "R" for refusing to answer the questions in each category.

i just received my second survey, and filled out the bare minimum. i wrote resident1, res 2, res 3, and res 4. i answered a few questions but no personal questions. my husband refused the whole thing. i mailed it yesterday and got a call on my caller id today from the census bureau. i told them i mailed it!! i know they will be calling again, because most of the form is blank. i also included a note saying since this was sent to the resident and was not about me personally, i will not answer!! i will keep you posted!!
kim

i just received my second survey, and filled out the bare minimum. i wrote resident1, res 2, res 3, and res 4. i answered a few questions but no personal questions. my husband refused the whole thing. i mailed it yesterday and got a call on my caller id today from the census bureau. i told them i mailed it!! i know they will be calling again, because most of the form is blank. i also included a note saying since this was sent to the resident and was not about me personally, i will not answer!! i will keep you posted!!
kim

Contact them and tell them what you think about the American Community Survey. If we all contact them, maybe the will start listening.

Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census
U.S House of Representatives
B-349A Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

By Phone:

202-225-6751

By Fax:

202-225-4960

I'm in the, "my supervisor will visit you" stage of this process. I've avoided their numerous phone calls and 2 visits to my door, with handwritten "request for appointment" forms taped to my door. I am refusing to be duped into answering these moronic questions. This smacks of 1984. Here's a quote from their brochure, "This information could be shared with county officials in case of an emergency need to lock down schools, close post offices, isolate a neighborhood, or evacuate part of a hospital". Sounds more like Homeland (In)Security preparing for a terrorist attack than preparing to build a road or Walmart. Or could it be FEMA is preparing for the prison industrial complex? I'm not sure how this going to play out for me, but I refuse to cooperate with this survey, period.

We received one of these surveys also. After reading the questions requesting so much detailed and very private information, we were just sick. We thought that we served our country for our FREEDOM and RIGHT TO PRIVACY! Apparently, our politicians have decided that Terrorism gives them the right to create an OPPRESSIVE STATE! This is just downright disgusting that our country could stoop this low. Our hope is that many more people will decide to not be sheep also. STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!

kim
i posted mine on jan 5th. im waiting for someone to get back to me. do you think there will be a penalty for non compliance?

kim
i posted mine on jan 5th. im waiting for someone to get back to me. do you think there will be a penalty for non compliance?

kim
i posted mine on jan 5th. im waiting for someone to get back to me. do you think there will be a penalty for non compliance?

I contacted the ACLU and the Rutherford Institute. They told me that the last lawsuit against the Census was dismissed because there was no threat of prosecution. I have not heard from them in a couple of months and think the worst is over. Don't answer!!! They will go away.

In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Earlier I posted that I would fill it out to a limited degree, listing Current Resident 1, Current Resident 2, unlisted (for the phone #), and with "confidential" stamped over those questions that I refused to answer. I did. I received a phone call from them. I didn't want to call back, but figured I was pretty much SOL, so I had my spouse call (my spouse is more diplomatic in nature). Turns out the computer couldn't read the "confidential" stamp over some questions, but could on others.

Best bet is to call in, not mail the form, and if you want to keep your phone # private, use a pay phone. I was pretty ticked off that they somehow found our phone number, but not entirely taken off-guard, either. When I filled the form out, I answered all the questions assuming they would figure out my identity, so I only released the information that I didn't mind disclosing in linkage with my name.

Good luck to those who follow. And "Thank You" to the host of this forum!

I'm dealing with this incredibly intrusive garbage too and have been researching the law. It seems to me that the "certification" of the ACS was rubber-stamped at best and doesn't comply with with US code in some respects. USC 13.1.6 gives the secretery authority to seek information from other federal, local, state, county, city instrumentalities and section (c) states the following:

"To the maximum extent possible and consistant with the kind, timeliness, quality, and scope of the statistics required, the Secretary shall acquire and use information available from any source referred to in subsection (a) or (b) of this section INSTEAD OF CONDUCTING DIRECT INQUIRIES". (emphisis mine).

Much of the information requested is clearly available from other sources - so they shouldn't be asking for it on this survey.

Perhaps those questions should be replied to by stating:

"This information can be obtained from other government sources and persuant to USC 13.1.6(c) I request that you obtain the information from those sources as directed".

Comments?

At what point does this become harassment? Yesterday got the third notice taped to the front door. Today got third survey in the mail. Thanks for the research, I'll use it if I actually get confronted face to face.

My husband received this in the mail a couple of weeks ago and had begun filling it out without my knowledge of it. When he brought it to me to ask a question I said "Are you kidding me"? Not only do we, as business owners, not have the time for this nonsense, but I thought it looked like some kind of phishing scam and we decided to throw it away as it couldn't possibly be a legitimate government requirement that we furnish this information. Following this we received a phone message, another copy of the survey, and then another phone message.
I refuse to participate in this and will just wait to see if they stop the harrassment.

Not only is this intrusive, but what about adult children living in the household? If they refused to answer the questions, who is fined or jailed--my husband, me, my son, my 18 year-old daughter, or all of us?

So the government doesn't have enough resouces from our hard-earned tax dollars to combat illegal immigration that sucks us dry but they can spend our government resources on harrassing legitimate US citizens with this intrusive crap? Count me out.

when "they" call what is their phone number? ...am on second survey, came home one day to 8 calls on caller ID, all with 000-000-0000, have had none since. I recall getting calls from same number during last election, which were all for polls. I also am sending nothing back...

I learned of this obnoxious survey when my 82 year old mother (who lives by herself in Texas) got it early in 2005. She was scared to death by the form as she was afraid to fill it out and afraid not to. She finally filled it out after some harrassing phone calls from Census Bureau staff. It took her three days due to her age. She did not want her children to help her as she values her privacy so much.

I complained to my 2 Senators (Shelby and Sessions), and congressman Mike Rogers and got polite "blow away" answers from them about how important the survey is (hah!). A friend also got the survey and finally filled it out after a visit from a Census Bureau person.

He also complained to Senator Shelby, who this time reposnded that "you will not be fined if you fail to respond to the survey questions".

In addition (and supporting Senator Shelby's statement) after extensive googling I found the Census Bureau's instructions for getting people to fill out the form. Basically the process is to put non-responders through three months of escalating pressure -- first additional mailouts, then a month of phone calls, and finally a month of attempted in person visits. If a non-responder keeps resisting for 3 months, the Census Bureau abandons the attempt to get the survey completed.

I also found via Google, that they have conducted extensive studies that tell them that the number of final resisters who are able to successfully withstand the ever increasing pressure is so small that they can accommodate it statistically. In adddtion, the Bureau is counting on the fact that only a percentage of us will receive the survey in any given year, so the resulting anger and related pressure will not be enough to force its abandonment. Definitely big brother stuff.

The way the beat them is for enough of us to be willing to refuse to complete the survey that they are forced to abandon it as not reliable.

I do not believe we will be able to get Congress to defund the 165 million dollars a year the ACS is costing as our congressmen are very much under the financial control of the special interests who benefit from the information acquired, and they do not, as a result, care very much about the privacy interests of the people they are supposed to represent.

The phone number left on our voice mail was 888-817-2153.

4th visit to my front door! On Sunday! I will continue to resist! So glad to have you folks here with suggestions.

kim
i admire your discipline!! i got 2 forms and 2 phone calls. i filled out the bare minimum, but for some reason they are still calling and have not received it. i have called them back twice. i am not afraid of them. i wont give anything out that they can't already find out.

5th visit to my house, Monday Jan 17, 5:20pm. My son was vacuuming my car in the driveway, he shut off the vacuum, the man identified himself as from the US Census, and asked is your mother home? Without saying a word my son came in through the garage and told me. I looked out through the opened garage door and saw a man with a clipboard standing in my driveway, very close to the open garage. Without saying a word, I hit the garage door opener button and watched it go down. The guy got into his van, sat there for 15 minutes then left. No note on my door this time. I will continue to resist.

Received 2 surveys, several phone calls, 1 visit. Just received phone call today from the same lady that came by my house. Said she needed more information since I put confidential on most questions. I told her I'm not going to answer any more personal questions & that was my final answer. She said there were only a few questions that they need answers to anyway. (Most of them basic.) I asked her if that was the case why do they ask all those personal questions. Seems like she couldn't really answer! She also said a lot of people put "Refuse to answer" for questions they don't want to answer. We'll see if that will be the last of it. Oh yeah, she thanked me for not hanging up on her!

Kim:

Good for you. Stand your ground. If everyone did that, the government would begin to worry about how perilous their "control" over the masses is.

Although we complied minimally at our household, I'm not going to let this go. Besides speaking with everyone who will listen to my gripes, I'm going to contact my congressional representatives. I know I'll just receive a form letter reply, but that won't stop me from speaking my mind.

Check out Congressman John Conyers hearing on spying. Friday January 20, 2006 on C-SPAN at 11am ET. http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/1/19/181642/900

More articles on spying;
http://stpeteforpeace.org/spying.html

Resisting the US Censeless Bureau may seem insignificant, but:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

recieved 3rd survey in mail; decided to answer "Resident Male" and "One" then wrote "Refused" on rest of questions...will send that back but will expect to hear from them again. The more I make them work the better I feel...

Well, someone finally got my husband by phone. They told him we must comply or action will be taken against us. He is more willing to comply but knew my feelings on this to referred them to me. I called the person back to settle this and was told how important it is and what about the unfortunate people that need services that are not getting them. I told here there are plenty of unfortunate illegals that maybe they should focus on and poll them directly. Oh, I forgot, they wouldn't want to answer these questions either. I also said there are probably plenty of people willing to volunteer this information but I'm not one of them. I gave her the number of people living in our home and told her to mark the rest refuse to answer. She said someone might still try to visit our home to explain the importance of this but hopefully they have gotten the message. We'll see.

Wow - I opened the survey and couldn't believe my eyes! (disillusioned once again) so I tossed it. Then I got another and then yet a third before I went online looking to see what others were saying about this. It feels good to know that others are firmly committed to not complying. If and when the 4th one comes or the doorbell rings, I plan on giving them name and # of residents (.) I cannot trust the use to which anything further will be put and am saddened that they felt obliged to threaten me in order to get this private information.

I filled out the census. Like a good American. Then I got a phone call asking the same questions. I told the lady I already answered them and that I considered my time at home (call came at 7:00p.m.)special and didn't want to answer the questions again. She said they were not the same questions and I told her she was lying. I told her we were through with the survey since I'd already done one. Is this against the law even though I've filled it out? Please contact voliver2@bellsouth.net to let me know if I'd broke the law.Thanks

I never got any guarantees in life (just gussied up If/Then clauses), but this IS "survivalarts.com", right? So stop running scared and use the brains God gave y'all. The folks dealing with the public from this branch of government are being paid (and probably not too well) from your tax dollars to hyperfocus on squeezing the most & best data possible outta you. Period. What for? Who knows, that's not their department. Think greedy-eyed scavenger, or scorpion: It's not personal, it's just their nature. If you see them that way, the most effective ways to deal with them, or not, become clearer.

Further, they know that despite their sternest frowns it's literally impossible for them (as only the long nose of the law) to pressure the useful info they crave outta everyone, and like all good beancounters they must neatly account for that fact in their statistics:
per http://www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/sse/res/res_def.htm

5. What are the primary reasons for unit nonresponse in the ACS?

The Census Bureau classifies all final noninterviews by one of the following six Reasons for Noninterviews to understand why unit nonresponse occurred:

Refusal: Even though the ACS is a mandatory survey and households whose addresses are selected for the survey are required to answer the survey questions, there will still be a few households that are reluctant to cooperate and refuse to participate.

Unable to Locate: If the interviewer cannot find the sample address after using all possible sources, they consider it "unable to locate".

No One Home: Interviewers assign this code if they could not find anyone at the housing unit during the entire month's interview period.

Temporarily Absent: The interviewers confirm that all household members are away during the entire month's interview period on vacation, a business trip, or caring for sick relatives.

Language Problem: The interviewer could not conduct an interview because of language barriers, was not able to get an interpreter who could translate, and the supervisor or regional office could not help complete this case.

Other: Unique situations when the reason for noninterview does not fit into one of the classifications described above. Possible reasons include "death in the family", "household quarantined", or "roads impassable".

Insufficient Data: To be considered an interviewed unit in ACS, a household's response record had to have an "acceptability index" of at least 2.5. The index is computed by counting the number of basic survey items with answers, with a computable age counting as two, and dividing this total by the number of people in the household. Occupied housing units not meeting this minimum are treated as noninterviews in the estimation process. Response records for vacant housing units are not subject to a minimum data requirement.

Of course, somewhere along the line the long nose of the law (the Census Bureau) IS attached to the long arm of the law (the US Dept. of Justice)... and it is up to the USDOJ to decide how to allocate their limited resources most effectively.
Per http://www.mplonline.org/acs.htm

What is the penalty for nonresponse?
The Census Bureau is not a prosecuting agency; our goal is to gather and return to the public quality information about communities and those who provide goods and services. If a fine were to be applied, it would be at the discretion of the Department of Justice and would be $100 to a maximum of $5,000.

This is the USDOJ org chart: http://www.usdoj.gov/dojorg.htm (hmmmm... human trafficking, domestic terrorism or incomplete census forms: assuming any may be successfully prosecuted, which is good PR, best increases their influence, justifies increased staffing and overall gives the USDOJ more bang for their buck?)

For the morbidly curious, wanna know which USDOJ department potentially gets the dubious honor of trying to chase us down to take our kids' college funds? The USDOJ's main page
http://www.usdoj.gov/
has a handy search feature...

We received our first one a month ago, and our second yesterday. Our original response was "This can't be legitimate." So we were surprised to find out that it is indeed from the gubment, and not surprised to find others like us who refuse to comply.

I don't care who it is who passed this law, however, I went to the Census Bureau website and noticed that they have collected data since 2000, which was before the current administration was elected. So clearly this was another present left to us by the Clinton administration.

I got my ACS today, and I don't mind at all providing the information, provided I am duly compensated. Not only for the "38 minutes" of time, but also for the value of the information itself. Today information is something of a commodity, being bought and sold by businesses, governments, and individuals every day.

Seeing that I have something of a monopoly on my personal information, I will charge a high price for it, not less than $1,000 per question.

True, some questions have more value to me than others--how many toilets I have is slightly embarassing; I might only charge $50 for answering that one. What time I leave for work in the morning has much more value for a potential burglar--it could be worth $100K or more.

$1,000 per question seems the right starting point since this is the fine the government wants to impose for not answering.

But now that I am aware that more and more of you refuse to answer, the value of a completed survey increases in the marketplace. So in future years I may decide to up my "asking price", no pun intended.

I am a Democrat and member of the ACLU, and I got one of these today. Unfortunately, I have lost so much faith and trust in this current regime. I called their TOLL FREE number, and before I dialed, I hit *67 to block my phone number. The computer that answered the phone, stated to list the ID# on the survey. I did not want to enter it, so I pressed 7 (as the prompting requested). The recording said that they "can locate survey numbers via telephones. Are you calling from (xxx) xxx-xxxx?" I am no telecom expert but I thought the *67 would work! WRONG! So I filled it out the form with "RESIDENT ONE" and then "NA" for every question (except that I was born in the USA and am a Citizen). This survey will NOT increase our hospitals (that is done at the local level) or police protection or any government services to the average citizen. That is all done by local government, and local government pays for their own surveys. Boycott this survey as it is right out of 1984 and this is BIG BROTHER at its finest.

Good luck to you all.

6th visit to my front door. I wasn't home this time, they left a letter with the words "required by law" and "The same law that requires your response also guarantees your privacy", highlighted in orange. It states that Title 13 imposes penalties for not responding. It's not even signed, it's just a photocopy. A stinking form letter. Ha! I will continue to resist.

Al Qaeda Communist Spies

I'm so thankful for all of your posts about the ACS. I received my first survey several months ago and, without answering it, took to the internet to find out how to deal with the intrusive questions. At the time, I couldn't find anything except Ron Paul's original comments. Within a few days, I received the follow-up letter urging me to comply and then received another survey shortly thereafter with another follow-up letter after that. I ignored all of them figuring when they start fining me, I might consider complying (I'm a divorced mom just trying to make ends meet). Today, I decided to try a search again on the ACS and found all these great stories and suggestions on how to deal with this (I can't believe the country isn't up in arms!).

I'm lucky and must have a lazy representative in my area. I have received no phone calls or visits and no more mail since the two surveys and follow-up letters which were ignored. However, if they do start bothering me, I now feel ready to fight, thanks to my fellow American's suggestions.

Bless you all, Terry

I completely agree with everyone's privacy issue here, and came to this site trying to find out how "serious" the "penalties" would be for deciding not to comply.

But what I don't see here is more mention, although it might seem trivial, of the TIME required to fill this survey out. How dare they demand that I give them an additional 40 minutes of my life in addition to the 2 days a week I already work to keep them in pork? If I had 40 additional minutes, there are many other things I could do with the time -- all of which would be none of their business!

One more question: When they call, what does the caller ID say? So I can avoid it!

No matter how frustrating this survey is, there are few basic points ya'll have to keep in mind :

- It's a law. By refusing to answer you're violating U.S. Code (see TITLE 13, CHAPTER 7, SUBCHAPTER II, § 221)

- Maximum penalty for refusing to answer is $5000

You have 2 legal ways to avoid answering this survey :

1) If you haven't received the survey you cannot be made liable for not answering it.

2) If any of the questions contradict your religious beliefs you can refuse to answer.

Quote : (TITLE 13 > CHAPTER 7 > SUBCHAPTER II > § 221 > clause )

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

Any other action (or inaction) is a violation of a federal law. It is at the Bureau's discretion whether to prosecute you or not.

P.S. I am infuriated by the survey which I received recently, but I always thought it's better to know your options before starting to act.

ACS hasn't bothered me in a long time but I still get nightmares. Can I sue for the distress they have caused me?

In response to "Bork", while there are indeed penalties, the Census Bureau has not turned any non-responses over to the Justice Department for prosecution. According to Senator Shelby, they will not be fined.

A couple of lawsuits have been brought to court to dispute the ACS. The courts have turned these lawsuits aside as not applicable since the Census Bureau has not prosecuted anyone for non-complaince.

The last thing the Census Bureau wants is a high profile court case over the ACS, and the Justice Department has much bigger fish to fry -- such as going after our congressional representatives for taking bribes from special interests, terrorism, etc. Beside, if we do not stand up to this, we will be like frogs who, as water is slowly heated, do not realize it until broiled to death.

After studying the very intrusive questions posed by the ACS survey, i declined to answer on the grounds that the right to privacy exceeds the penalties that can be imposed by the Department of Commerce, census division. Since the letters were addressed to "resident" Then who are they planning to prosecute anyway. Besides, If they want my salary information, they can contact the IRS. If they want my number of bathrooms, they can go the the local building department. If any of the other intrusive information, they can contact directly the other agencies that database the bits and pieces on each of us and fill it in for me.
After 9 messages on my door about my "Required" involvement a ACS field worker told me he would not take no for an answer. so i slammed the door and he drove away.
Until we respond no, the government assume we agree.

I got this form in the mail a few days ago. I was offended. I used to work with demographics - they can't get to your individual house, but they can get you within a few houses! This data is collected by numerous private companies and aggregated with fair success. I don't want to fill it in because (1) the Federal gov has no NEED TO KNOW beyond what the Constitution allows and (2) Local governments who need to know can have their own surveys - more specific to their particular needs.

If this is for tracking migration of race and movement of individuals - then Census folks should say so. Don't lie to us about helping determine where local schools need to be built.

Hitler was helped greatly by IBM who helped Germany determine where all the Jews lived; what are the real plans here in the US? We don't trust our government - because all governments tend to become corrupt.

I'm not filling this ACS out! It's against the Supreme Law of our Land. Our Constitution isn't a "Living Document" it's a "Legal Document"; the powers and LIMITS of the Fed are spelled out. As an individual, the Fed should have nothing to do with me. I don't want a federal Social Security Administration (started as voluntary) or for that matter - any involvement with the national, federal systems. Look at how they wrecked our Education system by creating the Dept of Ed. They drive costs way up and exercerbate every issue they address. I don't trust them; they can't help me in Washington. Let's fix the problems at the local levels and keep WashDC out of our hair!

It's really great to see all of you refusing to comply with this invasion of our privacy and our right to feel secure in our home. I'm sick of the lying and spying of this government. As a country, I think we are heading in the wrong direction. Compliance is consent and I do not consent and will not comply. Stand up for your rights.

I got it a few days ago ,,,, there is no way, under any circumstances I will consider complying to this intrusion. NO. Say no! Public SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE folks are abusing their authority which we have granted them ,,, Maintain your rights & dignity. Do we suppose the 'establishment' believes Americans are finally & totally dumbed down with all the TV-watching & public education (brain-washing)they get in the schools (which they've determined how you should think??? BEWARE! This is not in your interests or your loved ones or future generations' interests. It is time to start recalling our representatives for MISrepresentation of us citizens. They are over-the-top on this one. Don't be intimidated by the harrassment. It is Nazism tactics to achieve Socialistic goals. Be concerned & be on guard. I don't welcome the harrassment either, but I will do my duty to uphold my constitutional rights & in this instance will most gladly waste our TAXPAYER MONIES by refusing multiple requests. People do your homework on this Nation's history (don't rely on skewed rewrites from school)& get your heads out of the quagmire. Teach yourselves & teach your kids --- the schools are not!

Alberto Gonzales is a liar, the administration is not and was not authorized to spy on the citizens of the United States. How is spying on Quakers in Florida protecting us from terrorist? How is spying on anit-war activists protecting us? This "survey" is another way of spying on us. Resist. The government is trying to scare us into submission.

I foolishly filled out portions of this survey several months ago. Last week, I got a phone call from the ACS wanting to ask me more questions! When I asked why, I was told that they needed more information and they wanted to be sure that the questionnaire was understandable. They repeated several questions and I told the woman that I had already answered that. I said it was a waste of our time, so she sped up her questions. I finally just start replying, "I'm not going to answer that" to the rest of her questions. How many times I've been married and what year I was married and if I was looking for work last week and if I can recognize someone across the street and hear in a crowded room and can I walk three blocks without difficulty or climb a flight of stairs and do I need assistance to bathe or dress.....This is insanity. If you think the written survey was invasive, try telling private information to a stranger on the phone! I'm still upset.

I really believe this is a test to see how much they can get away with and how much people will put up with before they refuse to cooperate...
Don't give in!

Dataduchess:
Thank you for your post. I would be upset too. This is not about "census". I don't trust it. It's been two weeks since the 6th visit to my front door. I don't answer or shut the door in their face without saying a word. I agree, don't give in!

two calls the last 2 days from 888 766 3512...I know it's them. Concerned Citizen's last 4 digits from her phone call were 2153. We're on the front line....make your stand

The phone call I got was from 928-757-3364

got a call yesterday from a Maryland area code, it was them. Talked to a woman, rather nice, and was told the following;
>questions could be answered as "skip" (as in skip the question) but they had to be answered and verified (on the phone) if the computer could not decifer it from the original questionaire, on which I had written "refuse", as in refuse to answer.
>it seems that this survey will replace the original every 10 yr. census because the stats are out of date before they are even tabulated (2 yrs for that) and eventually everyone will be surveyed. Does anyone recall reading this in the ACS letters?
>the survey is being done by the Dept. of Labor and Agriculture, not sure if this is one or 2 seperate entities and she also mentioned the Dept. of Business in there somewhere.
>the statistics are gathered, I was told, to gauge unemployment, make sure everyone has enough food and can basically afford to eat, who has disabilities and if they are impaired from living a "normal" life (if such a thing exists anymore), care of the elderly, cancer research, et al.
She answered everything I asked and understood my reluctance to answer anything, which was fine with her. She said that the answers given are encrypted and disassociated from the source so no one can use them for other purposes or find out who gave the answers. Then I asked her how she got my phone # and she answered that could be done without knowing who lived at the address. She later admitted that if some part of the govt wanted to find this out that they probably could anyway, but they did not operate that way.
I answered all questions to her as skip, except for the 1. resident male and 2. 1 resident. 10 minutes and we were done, although we talked at length about the survey and it's implications.
So don't be afraid to ask them questions and tell them how you feel, hopefully you can find out more than I did.

Thanks to all who have posted here. I just received my second notice and I am soooooooo.... ticked off by this!!
Thank God I work and don't have to answer the phone calls. But...I did receive some relentlessly annoying calls both Sat. and Sun. for 2 weeks running. I did not recognize the number, so I chose not to p/u the phone. I tried calling back to tell them to stop calling and there was never an answer.

It's been almost a month since the 6th visit to my door. Am I finally rid of them? It feels great to not have given in to this invasion of my privacy!

Has anyone every gotten rid of these people? If you are uncooperative, do they finally go away? I have received 4 or 5 visits, the last with a supervisor. Several mails with assurances of their intent to keep the info private and today one with the urgent notice that ".. compliance is required by law ..." from the Commerce Department.

It's been quite a while since I have heard from them. I think they ultimately go away if you are totally uncooperative. The only information I ever gave them was two adults, one child. That is it. Good Luck

Remember that unless the questionnaire came via registered, certified, or return receipt mail there is no way to prove that you received it.

Remember that unless the questionnaire came via registered, certified, or return receipt mail there is no way to prove that you received it.

For those who provide minimal information on this thing-
The U.S. Constitution provides for a census every 10 years. You don't owe them even the most basic information until 2010, when the real census is done.

I got more than 10 calls (from 520-798-4152) over the past two weeks, leaving the 888-817-2153 number. When I called back, I simply told them I am a student living in a university apartment, which is the case. Then they told me I have no liability to response in this case.

I got mine this past week. I have read this entire thread (and some others) and here are my impressions:
1) It might be easier for you to respond with "skip" or "refuse." However, what is easier for you is inevitably easier for the census bureau. The harder we all make it for them, the more likely the program will be questioned and hopefully eventually abandoned.
2) I have not found any reports of anyone ever being fined or prosecuted in any way. Who would they prosecute? Me? My wife? My minor child? Some other resident?
3) Since this is not associated with the census that occurs once per 10 years, I will not give any information in response to it - not even enumeration.

A related topic to look into is the USDA's NAIS program for numbering all farm animals. It seems small farmers are experiencing much the same sort of tactics as we are with the ACS. Here's a good information source: http://NoNAIS.org

Better yet, I found the following there -- it is a form to turn back in the face of those government employees harassing you. It has a legal basis, so its worth looking into.

http://faemalia.net/PublicServantQuestionnaire.pdf

We refused to answer it about a year ago (other than number of people in household, and then I wrote this editorial for our local paper and surrounding area. We never heard from the American Community Survey again.
=================================================

Big Brother wants to know all

To the Editor:
Even though it is not a census year, the U.S. Census Bureau is conducting a "rolling census" called the American Community Survey (ACS).
They are sending the survey to one segment of the population at a time, rather than doing it all at once, with the idea of getting it to everyone by the year 2010. We received the ACS in January. Along with the survey, several glossy pamphlets were included, explaining the supposed need for this information with much assurance that all information is strictly confidential and protected by the Census Bureau. The questions are very intrusive, inquiring into the daily and personal habits of each member of your household. For example, under "Housing" you are asked how many vehicles you have; monthly fuel, water, and electricity costs; monthly rent or mortgage; estimated value of your property and annual property insurance. Forty-two questions are listed to be answered by each person in your household.
Disturbing questions in this section include a question asking if you have any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that would make it difficult for you to go shopping or go outside the home, involvement of the grandparents in raising the children, and the exact time you leave for work and name of your employer. It's difficult to imagine a legitimate reason for a government entity to demand this kind of information from its citizens. If you have concerns about Big Brother becoming too interested in your private affairs you will not like this survey.
The U.S. Constitution provides

for a census every 10 years, which is simply a headcount for congressional redistricting - nothing more. After deliberating many weeks, we decided to give the only answer required by the Constitution - the number of people in our household. However, several weeks later, we were contacted by a census taker. I explained why we would not answer the other questions. Two days later a Federal Express overnight mailer arrived with a letter from the Regional Director of the Census Bureau, emphasizing that our participation is REQUIRED by law. That evening, a census supervisor from the Twin Cities left a message on our recorder, stating that our answers are required by law and requesting a return call that evening. This orchestrated pressure is both intimidating and upsetting.
Sadly, Congress, being well-aware of the questions on this survey, appropriated the money (OUR tax dollars) to the Census Bureau to conduct this detailed information gathering on every American citizen. United States Code Title 13, Section 221 states that no one can be fined more than $100 for not particpating in a census. If it comes to this, we'll pay the fine to protect our Constitutional right and to protect ourselves from government intrusion. When you receive the American Community Survey in the mail, please contact your Senators and Representatives and let them know how you feel. Don't be intimidated into providing personal and private information that you normally would not give to just anyone, much less the federal government.

I will see to it that the petition gets a lot of visitors. I just got a call tonight, and was told that they had mailed a survey that we ignored, but I told the woman FRANCESCA WHITE in Indiana 1-888-817-2153 that they mailed it to my physical address, and I don't get mail delivered. We have a PO Box. She said they don't mail to PO Boxes. ???
My hubby hung up after telling them we will answer questions on a MAILED survey, NOT over the phone. After investigating online, LOOK what I found:
http://www.realtor.org/PublicAffairsWeb.nsf/Pages/AmericanComntySurvey04?OpenDocument

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

National Association of Realtors
Linda Johnson, (202) 383-7536
ljohnson@realtors.org

Smart Growth America
David Goldberg, (202) 412-7930
dgoldberg@smartgrowthamerica.org

Homebuyers Favor Shorter Commutes, Walkable Neighborhoods
The prospect of lengthening commutes is leading more Americans to seek walkable neighborhoods in close-in suburbs and cities, according to the 2004 American Community Survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and Smart Growth America.

We're being HAD, folks, and we need to be screaming from the rooftops. Let's take this to the streets!! I'll do what I can...everyone else, send info to alternative news websites, like Citizens for Legitimate Government, Buzzflash, CounterPunch, Consortium News, Truthout...GET BUSY, fellow American Patriots!!!

Looks like this intrusive survey is APPROVED and MANDATED by our Masters in Washington...the Government Accounting Office sez so...aaarrrgghhhh
Time to make this a national issue. My God, has ANYONE even HEARD about this until they got it in the mail or a phone call? This is total BS and we need it to STOP. Pass that petition around...we ALL need to send letters to the editors of every paper in America!

Legal Authority for American Community Survey, B-289852, April 4, 2002
April 4, 2002

The Honorable Bob Barr
Vice Chairman
Committee on Government Reform
House of Representatives

Subject: Legal Authority for American Community Survey

Dear Mr. Vice Chairman:

This responds to your letter regarding the legal authority of the U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) to conduct the American Community Survey (ACS), a monthly survey of a sample of households that, beginning in 2003, is intended to replace the long form questionnaire for the decennial census in 2010. You asked us to provide (1) the legal authority under which the Bureau is conducting the ACS, including any legislative history concerning the development and implementation of ACS, (2) the Bureau's legal authority to require recipients to respond to the ACS, and (3) information on any other federal government questionnaires or surveys that require similar specific, detailed personal information be provided to the government.

In order to respond to your questions, we examined various legislative materials such as public laws, committee reports and hearings, and the Congressional Record for references to the ACS, requested and received comments from the Department of Commerce (Commerce), and met informally with Commerce and Bureau officials to discuss these issues. We also searched an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) database for surveys that require specific detailed personal information. As discussed in detail below, we find that the Bureau has the authority under 13 U.S.C. §§ 141 and 193 to conduct the ACS. Although there is little legislative action tracking this Bureau initiative, the Bureau clearly has authority to require responses from the public to this survey. See 13 U.S.C. § 221. The Bureau must still receive clearance for the ACS through the Paperwork Reduction Act process. Finally, we found no other government surveys that respondents are required to respond to that ask specific, detailed personal information similar to that required by the ACS.

BACKGROUND

According to Commerce, the ACS, which is designed to replace the long form portion for future decennial censuses, tracks the questions asked in the long form questionnaire from the 2000 Census. The long form questionnaire asked a sample of persons and households for information on population topics, such as ancestry, veteran status, disability, labor force status, and income, and housing topics, such as value of home or rent paid, size and age of structure, plumbing and kitchen facilities, and expenses for utilities, mortgage, and taxes.

The Bureau began conducting supplementary surveys of selected counties under its authority at 13 U.S.C. § 182 in 1996 using the ACS methodology to test the operational feasibility of collecting long form type data in a different methodology from that of the decennial census. Beginning in 2003, the Bureau plans to expand the ACS nationwide in a yearly sample of three million households (250,000 each month) as part of its decennial census in order to move from a once-every-ten years activity to continuous data collection and data dissemination. By starting in 2003, data will be available for areas and population groups of 65,000 or more beginning in 2004 and for small areas and population groups of less than 20,000 people beginning in 2008.[1] According to Bureau officials, this will provide information on a timelier basis than is now currently available. For example, the most current long form information available from the Bureau is from the 1990 Census, since the 2000 Census data will not be available until this summer.

According to Commerce, the ACS information will provide more current data to a number of federal agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Food and Nutrition Service of the Department of Agriculture.

DISCUSSION

Article I of the United States Constitution requires an enumeration of the population every ten years "in such Manner as they [Congress] shall by Law direct." U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 3. To implement this Constitutional requirement, Congress enacted 13 U.S.C. § 141, which requires "a decennial census of population as of the first day of April of such year . . . in such form and content as he [the Secretary of Commerce] may determine . . . . In connection with any such census, the Secretary is authorized to obtain such other census information as necessary." Section 141 also authorizes the decennial census to include the use of sampling procedures and special surveys.[2] The uses of census data have grown significantly beyond congressional apportionment of representatives in Congress into many other areas such as managing federal agencies, allocating federal aid and assistance, assisting local governments, and helping businesses.[3] The courts have generally viewed the authority of Commerce and the Bureau to gather census information broadly.[4] In a recent court decision, Morales v. Evans,[5] the court held that the questions and the long form from the 2000 census are constitutional.

In Morales, the court first reviewed both the short form and the long form questions from the 2000 Census and traced the origin of each question from prior censuses. The court noted the authority of the Bureau to collect more than headcount information, and then specifically addressed whether such collection violated the plaintiffs rights under the Fifth Amendment (due process), First Amendment (protection against compelled speech), and Fourth Amendment (unreasonable and illegal search). In each instance the court found the collection of information related to governmental purposes and there was no basis for holding such collection unconstitutional.

While Census clearly has authority to conduct the ACS, we found no public laws, committee reports, or other congressional actions in which Congress has required the Bureau to develop and implement the ACS. Two oversight hearings were held in 2000 and 2001 concerning the ACS,[6] and Congress has provided funding over the past several years for this program under the caption of "continuous measurement."[7] Commerce states that testing of the ACS has been part of the President's budget since 1996 and a pilot program has been funded since that time. Commerce also points out that it has regularly kept Congress informed of the development and intended implementation of the ACS in the annual budget justification that accompanies the President's budget. It is clear that Census was not reacting to congressional direction in developing the ACS but acting on its own initiative to address the costs associated with the collection of data in the decennial census and the timeliness of that data.

On the basis of the statutory authority cited above and the discretion recognized by the courts, we conclude that Commerce and the Bureau have the legal authority to conduct the ACS under 13 U.S.C. §§ 141 and 193. This finding does not address the question of whether the data should be collected, but only whether there is sufficient legal authority to conduct this annual survey.[8]

With regard to the question of whether the Bureau may require recipients to respond to the ACS, Bureau officials stated that the ACS is conducted under sections 141 and 193, cited above, and that because responses to Census Bureau censuses and surveys are required under 13 U.S.C. § 221, responses to the ACS are mandatory. Section 221 subjects recipients of a survey to monetary penalties for failure to answer questions on any survey conducted by the Bureau under certain authorities found in Chapter 5 of Title 13 of the United States Code. These authorities include censuses of manufacturers and other businesses under section 131, the decennial census of population under section 141, and interim current data for collection of population data between each census under section 181. Section 225 permits application of penal provisions in certain cases. For example, the provision for imprisonment does not apply to the interim current data surveys under section 181, although it does apply to the decennial census. 13 U.S.C. § 225(b). We note that the courts have held that there is a sufficient governmental interest to require the collection of census data and to assess penalties for the failure to comply.[9] We conclude therefore that the Bureau may require responses to the ACS survey.
With regard to providing statutory references for each question on the survey which is "required by federal law to manage or evaluate government programs," Commerce noted that each federal agency submits to the Interagency Committee for the ACS, led by OMB, its legal justifications for agency-specific topics and questions, and the questionnaire content is reviewed by the Interagency Committee. Commerce has provided an extensive table of statutory authorities to justify each question, but the response from Commerce notes that additional information may be added or corrected by the agencies as Commerce prepares its submission of the ACS questionnaire under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) clearance process.[10] Since this process for development of the ACS questionnaire is still underway, we cannot state as a matter of law whether the requisite statutory authority supports each question. However, Commerce and the Bureau will be required under the provisions of 44 U.S.C. §§ 3506 and 3507 to demonstrate that this collection of information is necessary, is not duplicative, and is understandable to those who are to respond.

Finally, to determine what other federal government surveys require specific, detailed personal information, we used information provided by federal agencies on Form 83-I, the Paperwork Reduction Act submission to OMB.[11] Agencies requesting clearance to collect information are required to report on this form the various characteristics of the collection including the following: who the collection affects-e.g., individuals or households, businesses, or the federal government; whether responses to the collection are voluntary, required to obtain or retain benefits, or mandatory; and the purpose of the collection--e.g., program evaluation, general purpose statistics, regulatory, or compliance.

Using information provided by OMB, we found no other government surveys that respondents are required to fill out that request specific, detailed personal information similar to that required by the ACS. The only information collections that met the conditions of being required or mandatory and affecting individuals or households for statistical or research purposes were those related to the 2000 decennial censuses, including the ACS.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, the Bureau has authority under 13 U.S.C. §§ 141 and 193 to conduct the American Community Survey. The Bureau also has authority to require responses from the public to this survey.

We trust that this responds to your request. Should you have any questions, please contact Ms. Susan A. Poling at (202) 512-2667. We are sending an identical letter to The Honorable Dan Burton Chairman, Committee on Government Reform.

Sincerely yours,
Anthony H. Gamboa
General Counsel
http://www.gao.gov/decisions/other/289852.htm

Sorry about the lengthy post, but it is worth reading before you decide to believe any posts about the authority of the Census Beareau to even conduct the ACS, let alone enforce compliance. Keep in mind, none of these arguments (pro or con ACS) have ever been tested by any court.

Title 13 U.S.C. §§ 141 and 193 are often cited as giving the census bureau the authority to conduct the ACS. Those subsections very clearly DO NOT GIVE AUTHORITY for using sampling for collection of statistical data for any purpose other than performing or perfecting the census process. Personal lifestyle data is not useful or necessary in either performing or perfecting the census process.

The first thing to look at is the definition of ‘census’ (as defined by title 13). Surprisingly, it is not defined everywhere in title 13. Where it is defined (in multiple sections): “the term ‘census’ or ‘decennial census’ means a decennial enumeration of the population.” So anywhere in title 13 where it refers to census, replace census with 'decennial enumeration of the population'.

For the first supposed authorization section:

Title 13; Ch. 5; Sub-Ch. 2; Sec. 141(a) (in part)
. . . “In connection with any such census, the Secretary is authorized to obtain such other census information as necessary.”

There are two things to consider when looking at the authority that is granted by that paragraph.

1) The “as necessary” qualifier. Statistics about personal lifestyle are not “necessary” census information.
2) The statutory definition of “census.” Replace census with its statutory definition to get: “the Secretary is authorized to obtain such other ‘decennial enumeration of the population’ information as necessary.”

For the second supposed authorization section:

Title 13; Ch. 5; Sub-Ch. 5; Sec. 193
“In advance of, in conjunction with, or after the taking of each census provided for by this chapter, the Secretary may make surveys and collect such preliminary and supplementary statistics related to the main topic of the census as are necessary to the initiation, taking, or completion thereof.”

Examine the statute with the following in mind:
1) The “as are necessary” qualifier. Statistics about personal lifestyle are obviously not necessary to the census “initiation, taking, or completion thereof.”
2) The statutory definition of 'census.' Replace 'census' with its statutory definition ('decennial enumeration of the population'). “In advance of, in conjunction with, or after the taking of each 'decennial enumeration of the population' provided for by this chapter, the Secretary may make surveys and collect such preliminary and supplementary statistics related to the main topic of the 'decennial enumeration of the population' as are necessary to the initiation, taking, or completion thereof.”

Analysis that results in a "yes it is authorized" conclusion is done by those who support the ACS. Analysis that results in a "no it is not authorized" conclusion is done by those who support privacy. Until the question is heard by a court, countless people will be raped for their personal information.

My family taught me standards and principles to live by. It distresses me to realize that our government has forced me into being an outlaw by adhering to those principles. After years of abiding by the statutes and laws of the land, I now must choose to refuse. I feel like dressing in warpaint and feathers and dumping tea in Boston Harbor.

I found this site after two mailings and two phone messages. I returned the 2nd call and was told all about the fines. THAT concerns me as this could mess up a security clearance for a person. I was told by the telemarketer (a nice lady, this is not her fault) that I could pass on questions, so I decided to answer as few questions as I had to. After determining the number of people in my household, I asked if she wanted to know about my dog. She laughed and responded that she did not need this info, but future surveys may include that. She asked my age and I declined to give it. She said that I could not pass on that one, so I told her I was stopping and would seek legal assistance. Then I came to the www and started looking for some info. Seems like I have fulfilled the enumeration part of this inquisiton, so I will let sleeping dogs lie. If they continue to hassle me, I have a big red CONFIDENTIAL stamp at work, and I figure it will take very little time to fill out the form using it.

Here's some food for thought. Can you plead the fifth on the income questions if you are cheating on your taxes? After all, you would not want to lie on the form and risk a fine.

to all of you politically ignorant people posting on this rediculous blog you need to find something better to do. stop complaining about the relentless calling because we wouldn't even call if you would just fill out the forms. a lot of you obviously need to do your research and then you would realize the importance of the surveys we conduct. your talking out of your asses and being stubborn. and to all of you who think you are going to sue the department of commerce, HAHAHAHAHAHA. good luck the census burea is government. and just what do you think the judicial system is a part of? and you people so concerned about identity theft, shake the dust off of the brain you obviously dont use very often and see if you can come up with an answer to this question: how the hell are we going to steal your identity by knowing what kind of house you live in and if you have any disabilities. we dont ask for your social you dont have to give your full name. stop whining. i hate waking up every day and having to come in contact with annoying people who constantly complain about everything, but that is life and you will all just have to learn to accept it. you all obviously hate the government so much but imagine this country without it. and if it is so horrible get the fuck out. the government didnt create the census just to waste tax payers money and annoy you people. just know one thing, there is a reason behind every decision made and you wont always agree with everything but the only thing you can do is accept it and move on. i think some of you may need to evaluate your situations and compare/contrast with what situations you could be in if you were not a resident in this country. dont just participate in the survey because you think you might have to pay some money. participate in the survey because i know that i personally and i know atleast some of you out there are complaining about traffic, the shape of your community, job availability etc etc. that is the purpose of the survey: to determine where things need to be fixed to make this country even more beautiful than it is. maybe it is invasive, but it has helped each and everyone of you in some way or another whether you know it or even care. so im just going to conclude my argument with this: shut the hell up and help them help us.

To Member of Team ACS:
Our tax dollars are paying you a grand salary, I presume. You have lousy grammer bad punctuation and bad arguments. We have a right to privacy. I wouldn't trust you with my privacy under any circumstances. I hope you didn't write that blog entry on your work shift for the Federal Government or you are stealing from the Government. Have a great day.

"Resident":

I'm the owner of what "member of team acs" calls this "rediculous [sic] blog".

The troll calling him/her/itself "member of team acs" hails from a place called Jeffersonville, Indiana, according to the IP address trace which I see whenever someone posts a comment to my blog. He/she/it posted with the Insight Broadband address "mharville@insightbb.com", apparently a valid address he/she/it uses to keep track of any followups to this thread.

He/she/it has apparently never read the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and doesn't have 2 patent neurons to rub together... obviously a product of the Publik Screwl system, your tax dollars at work.

The Internet is a great tool for helping to fight this terribly invasive survey. However, the huge drawback is that only the people who currently get a survey and then get upset by it and look up information on the Internet find out about this web site. I just got the survey, so I am just now joining the fight. I strongly believe that TV newscasts and talk shows need to be made aware of what is going on so that all of America can join this fight in this election year. I think then we can defeat it just like we did the telemarketers. Please send letters with copies of the long questionnaire to your local TV news and let people know that this is NOT an isolated event. It does affect everyone. It is only a matter of when not if you get this survey. Also, while the question asking how many toilets is beyond stupid, I strongly believe that the focus needs to be placed on the financial information, health information, and daily living habits that are being asked. These questions pose a real threat and thus cannot be laughed off.

Absolutely none of their reasons for wanting to know this personal information hold any water. For example, like someone on this forum already stated: They do not need to know when any one individual leaves for work so that they can plan public road work. Do not do road work during well know rush hour times. If they somehow do not know when rush hour is on a given road, set up cameras and see. The DOT has already done this on many main roads in my state and they can be monitored on-line for free already. As far as public services for the poor goes, if that is their actual goal for collecting financial information, simply have the following questions: Would you like information mailed to you about public assistance available in your area? Yes or No ? If No, skip the next few questions. If Yes, try to narrow down what type of public assistance is needed by asking questions like: would you like information on help paying your heating bills? Finally ask if the individual wants to be contacted by a social worker to get more help.

Let’s address the fact that there is up to a $250,000 penalty for anyone who gives out personal information that is given. So what. The poor person, whose information has been given out, will have to prove that their information was actually leaked by ACS and not some other source - how I do not know - and then our government will have to seek out the one individual, out of how ever many work in this agency, who actually did leak the information. Then the government will have to prosecute this person (yeah right like the government will do all this instead of just deny the whole matter). And, in the mean time, your identity and personally information are Permanently compromised. BTW it is also illegal to rob people, murder people, etc. and yet our jails are full...

Let’s beat this before congress starts really prosecuting people who do not provide all this personal information. Please write your congressmen and the TV newscasters and talk shows in your area and national broadcasts.

Russell Whitaker
Thanks so much for this blog. This is a great service to the American public and to our freedom. I appreciate all you have done. Again, Thanks.

I, too, received an ACS form in the mail. I immediately trashed it because it was a violation of my privacy and civil rights. Then another ACS form showed up in the mail 2 weeks later, that too, was trashed. Then, last Saturday, I get a standardized resident letter, US Census Bureau phamplet and Field Rep. business card stuck in my door (I was not home at the time). After removing said items from my door, I choose to ignore it completely. Now, today, another week later, I find another phamplet and same Field Rep biz card in my door only this time there's a note saying that they'll try back again tomorrow (Sunday) and "trying to save you from penalty $$...call me, very important." To all those who posted on this site in defense of this Census...you are brain washed in believing that this census is for ANY greater good. By the very nature of the questions asked, it is an invasion of privacy; an attempt to obtain information in direct violation of the constitution of the United States; and an attempt by the government to use this information as they see fit, whether that be as a means of commerce, control, or other means. I have read all the posts on this site and have come to the conclusion that even if the most basic information, such as resident #1 and enumerator info. is provided, that that information will not make the ASC go away. However, I am equally encouraged that I am not the only one who sees the false and fraudulent nature of this Census form. I, too, plan to fight and resist for as long as possible.

I’m glad I stumbled upon this blog, now I can educate my family and friends about this obscene intrusion upon my rights.

Here’s my question. Posters above are talking about coming home and finding these surveys in the mail. When they refuse to answer them, they are followed up by phone calls.

If you refused to mail the survey back in, how did they get your phone number?

And here’s what I’m wondering. What if I got a Post Office Box and used that for my mail? Are you legally required to maintain a mailbox in front of your house? If I don’t have a home number ( Cell phone is the way to go), and use a PO box for my mail, how can they ever find you?

Has anybody tried this?

And what about the $100 fine? Has anybody actually been fined this? I’ll bet you could claim it on your income taxes. That would be a fun reversal.

Scotty, the Census agent intimidated our neighbor into giving our phone numbers. All they got were are cell phone numbers. When they called the cell phones, I advised them that if they called me again on the cell phone that I would file suit against them for harrassment. Also, we only get mail at a PO Box, so what they did, was sent out Fed Ex with the package and delivered it to our door step. It is my understanding that no one has been fined for not answering. Some individuals filed suit a few years ago in Federal Court, and the Court threw out the law suit because the Judge determined that there is no reasonable threat of being fined. It has been a long time since I have heard from them. Just keep resisting. Good Luck.

I happen to know for a fact that the Field Rep. doesn't have my unlisted phone number nor my name. I live in an apartment complex, so that is why they are leaving their crap on my door. I have turned off my phone and recorder, just in case, and now I only use my cellular phone for people whom I know and want to call me. Additionally, none of my neighbors have my phone number nor my name, so the Field Rep. can't get it that way. The Census Bureau doesn't have your name and personal information, but they are trying to get YOU to give them that plus more private and confidential information they can get out of you through your own ignorance.

As far as I could find, the Census Bureau, by law (Title 13, Section 9), is only required to obtain the enumerator (number) of household and that is all they require. They don't even need your name, age, sex, race, phone, and other information. They are trying to get that out of ignorant people so they can use the data or give it to merchants who then use your personal and financial date to their own ends and means. The Census Bureau (i.e. government) uses the information to give them and hands it over to numberous people including merchants, institutions, etc. The end result is your personal information is out there being used and sold over and over again without your knowledge or control. THIS IS WHY WHAT THE CENSUS BUREUS IS DOING IS SO WRONG!

If you feel you must comply, and I'm not telling you to do this, but if you feel you need to make an effort to comply with this redicoulous violation of our privacy and rights, then do as the other members of this blog board have done and that is to insert "resident #1" on the form where it says NAME and insert a number on the form where it says HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE LIVING OR STAYING AT THIS ADDRESS? Then to all other questions simply put "Refuse to Answer" and submit the form just like that. Although, from what I can tell from other blogs, these people have attempted this and still got harrassed by the Census Bureau idiots.

Per Title 13, United States Code
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title13/title13.html

COLLECTION OF DATA
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title13/chapter9_.html

I, too, received an ACS with the same harrassment, and my outrage and emotional and mental distress was as great as any. I have determined that no threats, subtle or otherwise, fines or extended imprisonment will force me to give them even my name. It is their use of fear that allows them to perpetrate this evil upon innocent American citizens. Also, the "randomness" of the survey allows them to keep people from joining together (divide and conquer) and also keeps the "survey" little known about. It is nothing more than profiling of individual American citizens. Think they don't already know your name? The phone companies not only have every American listed alphabetically but also by address. Just ask a major phone company the cost of a directory with listings by addresses (don't ask if they have one). Mine said they have one on CDROM for the entire state for $249.95. Think our Census Bureau doesn't have all of them? I don't think the Census Bureau can afford to actually impose fines or imprisonment upon anyone. It would bring this evil to light and might cause a little uproar. I was asked by family not to be too hard on the representatives since they are just doing their job. Well, were they forced to take the job? I guess that's what Hitler's henchmen must have said when they were dragging all those Jews from their homes and throwing them into the ovens or gas chambers. "It's for the good of the people--that's what my government said and it knows what's best for us." Too extreme an example, you say? Do you think that's how Hitler started his extermination? Think there wasn't a German Community Survey long before the ovens? What should we do? I'm not sure, but I believe the Census Dept should be abolished and resurrected once every ten years for the actual survey which involves all citizens. This evil may have begun by the Census employees themselves in order to justify their jobs the nine years between the 10-year census. I don't feel much cab be done unless we are able to gain media access to bring this out in the open. As it stands now, not enough people are aware of what's happening. If someone is willing to take the lead, I'm willing to do whatever I can to put an end to this egregious invasion of privacy and outrageous abuse of our tax dollars, especially at a time when our country is practically bankkrupt and in need of every dollar it can find.

I received and destroyed the survey twice. On the second phone call, I told them I was the property caretaker and the owner had passed away. End of problem; no more calls!

In 2000, I heard that the Census Bureau was getting phone calls: "I'm not gonna answer this. Where do I send my fine?"

Folks, the blog owner here... howdy.

I've noticed that the Census Bureau / ACS people are taking an interest in this discussion; see my followup post and its comments here, the results of a bit of technical investigation I've done today:

http://www.survivalarts.com/archives/001362.html

What the hell is this???? They called my cell phone. Can they do that? I am a foreign student here and I should not even be getting these calls. Can they fine me?? Where did they get my number from? Who do I call to get them to stop?

Any help much appreciated!!

What the hell is this???? They called my cell phone. Can they do that? I am a foreign student here and I should not even be getting these calls. They have called a few times now and I keep telling them the same thing. They tell me an address that my number is attached to and i tell them no it is not, they prompt me to tell them the correct address.....Are they crazy!! I am not going to give that kind of information out.

Can they fine me?? Where did they get my number from? Who do I call to get them to stop?

Any help much appreciated!!

June 13, 2001 Subcommittee Meeting

Mr. Barr. It would be interesting. I could go through and count them all up. It is an awful lot more than 65. Do you have any concern that this is awfully intrusive?
Mr. Barron. We are very concerned about it, Congressman.
Mr. Barr. Then why are you asking it?
Mr. Barron. Well, the basic reason, Congressman Barr, is that there is in back of each one of these questions a legislative requirement by a Federal agency. I want you to know that we are working with the Office of Management and Budget this summer to review each and every one of those requirements to make sure that it is there and to assess that and to see if
the question could be restructured. But, no, we are very worried about that. It is our staff who go out and, in this case, talk to people face-to-face about filling out the survey. So we want it to be as acceptable to the American public as we
can make it.
Mr. Barr. What if somebody just does not want to fill all this out. Is there anything he can do about that?
Mr. Barron. Well, one of the issues that has been raised is whether this should be conducted with mandatory reporting. Our initial thinking, although we want to work with the Congress on this, is that we think as part of the decennial census it should be mandatory reporting.
Mr. Barr. All of this information?
Mr. Barron. Yes, sir. That is consistent with the approach to conducting the collection of the long form on the decennial census which this is replacing.

I got one of these things, and im a little confused. I dont want to give them this info, and I intend to fight it as much as i can. Is it just US citizens that have to answer this? Im a dual citizen, and ust wondering if the same "obligations" would apply to me. I beleive they would, but I'm still just curious. Since they are only legaly capable of collecting how many people live in my dwelling, then why do they need to know all this other crap? I'm sorry, but do they really need to know how many toilets i have? Is there some sort of toilet fixation for them, or are they thinking of taxing those too?

In my personal opinion, the govt needs to keep their noses out of our personal lives and stop wasting the tax dollars by creating these damned things. Sure they want to fix the roads an what not, but they are spending all the money on these damn things when if the local govs were to listen to the people, and let them vote on things, then hell, roads and water ways or what not, wouldnt be a problem, as they would have the money to do the services needed for the communities.

The decennial census counts all "persons" in the country, not only citizens.

What I find curious is the reaction of the different politicians' staffs that I contact. Some are most concerned and try to be helpful and others are very cavalier... "well, send in the completed form". Frankly, I don't do well with torture. As much as I think I can withstand the assault of the Census Bureau, I'm probably going to tell them EVERYTHING.... if, they are holding my grandkids hostage. I'm just a wimp.

What I find curious are the differing reactions of my Washington D.C. representatives' office staffs when I tell them my ACS experience. One was quite cavalier, "well, send in the completed form!" Others tried to be helpful, but their bosses passed the damn law. Frankly, I'm not too keen on torture. The moment the Census Bureau sends out Guido and Luigi with the brass knuckles and baton, I'm probably going to spill my guts. I'm just a wimp.

It is true that 13 U.S.C. § 221 does require you to answer census and survey questions posed to you by the census bureau. (For a moment, igonre the fact that if the questions being asked were ever tested by a court as being necessary to the census “initiation, taking, or completion thereof, the ACS would be dead in an instant.)

There is however a simple, failproof way to successfully avoid answering the survey - do not let the Department of Commerce ask you (specifically you) any questions.

The mailed survey does not ask you (not you specifically) any questions that you are required to answer. Since the survey is addressed to "The Resident of," you can confidently ignore it.

If an agent calls you on the phone, you are not obligated to answer any questions. Either hang up when the agent identifies him/herself, or state that you have no way of verifying the identity of the person asking the questions and therefore will not respond.

If an agent comes to your door:

1) Do not invite them in.
2) As soon as he/she begins to identify him/herself, step back inside and close the door -even if he/she is in the process of showing you identification.

It is a simple matter of not being asked. If you are not asked, you cannot be fined for not answering.

Title 13 may require you to answer questions that are asked, but it does not allow for you to be detained for that questioning. Don't worry about being rude. Just think about how rude the Department of Commerce has been to you by asking the questions in the first place and then hounding you over it when you had the nerve to try to reserve a little bit of privacy.

It is true that 13 U.S.C. § 221 does require you to answer census and survey questions posed to you by the census bureau. (For a moment, igonre the fact that if the questions being asked were ever tested by a court as being necessary to the census “initiation, taking, or completion thereof, the ACS would be dead in an instant.)

There is however a simple, failproof way to successfully avoid answering the survey - do not let the Department of Commerce ask you (specifically you) any questions.

The mailed survey does not ask you (not you specifically) any questions that you are required to answer. Since the survey is addressed to "The Resident of," you can confidently ignore it.

If an agent calls you on the phone, you are not obligated to answer any questions. Either hang up when the agent identifies him/herself, or state that you have no way of verifying the identity of the person asking the questions and therefore will not respond.

If an agent comes to your door:

1) Do not invite them in.
2) As soon as he/she begins to identify him/herself, step back inside and close the door -even if he/she is in the process of showing you identification.

It is a simple matter of not being asked. If you are not asked, you cannot be fined for not answering.

Title 13 may require you to answer questions that are asked, but it does not allow for you to be detained for that questioning. Don't worry about being rude. Just think about how rude the Department of Commerce has been to you by asking the questions in the first place and then hounding you over it when you had the nerve to try to reserve a little bit of privacy.

Many thanks for this wonderful blog. I've read through the whole thing and notice that no one has brought up the subject of how we get picked for this freakin survey in the first place. I've done a survey of my own and no one else in my neighborhood has received it. So why me? Somehow, I don't believe it's 'random.'

If you go to the census website, they have stats on the number of surveys they sent out and the number of responses they got during 2003 and 2004:

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/SBasics/SSizes/SSizes03.htm

Seems like roughly 1/3 of us are nonresponders.

Hi why me:

I looked at the census.gov site awhile back without really looking at the compiled data. After seeing your post, I went back. The whole issue is even more scary (to me anyway) when I see the reports that come from the data.

I don't really understand the difference between the response rate that your link points to and the response rate here: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/sse/res/04.htm

The data table that your link points to implies a 30% refusal. The link above implies only a 1-2% refusal.

Hopefully, as more people get abused, more people will start to refuse.

Hi Another Resident!

I went to the url you suggested. If you look towards the upper left of the page, you will see 'sample size' and 'response rates'. Both have 'data' to the right of them.

The page you mention shows response rates. This means that out of the responders (which I assume are people who turned in mailed responses, or who they talked to on the phone or in person), only 1-2% are nonresponders. [Also means that their strong-arm tactics seem to work on people.]

But if you click on the sample size page, you will see that only approximately 70% of the original samples get responded to. They give multiple reasons: the address was commercial, the address didn't exist, there was no response, etc. I didn't spend that much time looking at it, but they don't seem to say what percentage of the 30% were actually people who didn't send in the form, used callerid to avoid the phone and refused to answer the door.

My guess is that they know how many questionnaires they need in order for their results to be statistically valid, so they send out extra questionnaires knowing that they won't get all of them back. If their goal is 70% response...and they only get 50% back...then they start making phone calls and maybe end up with 65% responses. Then they send out the squads to get that last 5% that they need to meet the quota. Out of all the responses (mail, phone and door-to-door), only 1-2% are nonresponders.

This seems to be a massive marketing survey...the absolute dream of any commercial group looking to find new markets. Perhaps in response to previous political contributions? Can you imagine how much a company would have to pay to get this kind of data on their own? Plus, any commercial group would not be able to use the threat of fines/jail to coerce people into giving answers. As a result, the nonresponder rate among people THEY ACTUALLY HAVE CONTACT WITH is very low.

Normally with any kind of survey, you have a problem with bias. I.e., what if all the nonresponders have 6 bathrooms and all the responders have 1 bathroom. If Bed, Bath and Beyond wants to build a new store, they want an area where they can sell a lot of towels and toilet brushes. This study minimizes bias since they've gone out and harassed a lot of people into answering who normally would not answer since they've threatened them with a hefty fine.

Also, I can't imagine that the people going door-to-door are actual government employees with benefits and pensions. More likely temp workers? Earlier in this blog, someone mentioned that their 'agent' was a realtor. Sure, what a great way to make extra money and get your foot in someone's door.

I spoke with Senator Myrick's office in Raleigh, NC today. They told me that they have received a large volume of calls over this issue. I was advised that the best way to get action was large numbers of individual letters. Signed letters aparently carry a lot of weight vice petitions. I am including a sample of the letter I am sending my Congressmen and Senators. I urge all of you to do the same, as well as educate and encourage others to do the same. The Bureau called my home today and spoke with my wife. She refered them to me, and I apparently missed the call because I am on the Internet! The caller told my wife that this was the last day of this portion of the ACS and that the next one was going to go out on a much more massive scale. Please. please write your representatives, call local news stations (talk radio is a great medium for this). We must put a stop to this abuse of power and police state tactics.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Senator:

I am writing to you because I have been “selected” to participate in the American Community Survey from the US Census Bureau. I am well aware that the Census Bureau has a legitimate need to obtain certain information. My understanding of the U.S. Constitution, that it is required that the Bureau “enumerate” the population of the U.S. so that it may properly determine the appropriate numbers of government representatives for each state.

The American Community Survey goes well beyond any type of “enumeration” that I have been subjected to in my adult life, and I consider it one of the most intrusive questionnaires that I have ever received. I would not volunteer much of this information to anyone, and I am just short of outraged that the Census Bureau has gone so far as to threaten me with a fine if I fail to provide the information that they request. Their representatives have been evasive when queried as to what information is legally required.

I am sure you are familiar with local politics here in the Charlotte area, and a lot of the taxpayers aren’t to keen on the line that this survey is designed to allow the government is collecting this information to help with infrastructure in the area and provide for the future. The voters of Charlotte got that line when they voted down the arena referendum a few years back, only to have it built anyway. A lot of us are not to keen on light rail either.

If you have not seen this survey, I urge you to review one. Some of the questions I am being told that I am required to answer are:

What type of house do I live in.
When was it built
When did I move into it.
How many acres is it on.
How many rooms are in the house.
How may bedrooms are in the house.
Does the house have plumbing.
Does it have a complete kitchen.
Is there telephone service available.
How many cars are kept at the home.
What fuel is used to heat the home.
How much did I spend on electricity last month.
How much did I spend on water and sewer.
Did anyone receive Food Stamps.
How much are Homeowners Association fees.
How much would I try to sell the home for.
How much are the real estate taxes on the property.
How much was insurance on this property.
Do I have a mortgage.
How much is the mortgage.
Does the mortgage include real estate taxes.
Do I have a second mortgage.
How much is the second mortgage.
Am I a citizen of the United States.
Have I attended school in the past three months.
What is the highest grade attended.
Do I speak a language other than English.
How well do I speak English.
Where did I live one year ago.
What medical conditions do I have, and do they affect my ability to dress or bathe myself, or go outside the home.
Do I have any grandchildren.
Have I ever been on active duty in the military, and for how long.
Did I work last week.
Where did I work.
How I got to work.
How long did it take me to get to work.
What time did I leave for work.
What id my chief job opportunity.
What were my wages.
What was my interest from investments.
What was my income form Social Security, public assistance, retirement, and/or the Veteran’s Administration, child support, or alimony.

While I am not trying to be Orwellian, I hope that you will see that Big Brother appears to be asking for a good deal more than he needs for a Census. While I am part of a small group that has received this, the Census Bureau has informed my wife that this survey is to go out on a much larger scale next year. I urge you to put a stop to this invasion into the private lives of voters and taxpayers. I hope that I can rely on your support on this issue. I do not take kindly to being threatened with fines for failing to comply with this, and I will be making this a voting year issue. I will use every resource at my disposal to expose and stop the Census Bureau’s effort’s to gather this type of personal information from taxpayers and voters. It is my sincere hope that I can count you among those who support this effort.

Respectfully,

I will be sending this out Monday. I appreciate any feedback/suggestions.

I just went to the Census Bureau site and found the following, which quite frankly, chills me. Ladies and gentlemen, George Orwell must be basking in seventh heaven. It looks like this ACS is only the tip of the iceberg. I find it disturbing that the term Final Plan reminds me of another governemnt goal - the Final Solution.

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/OpsPlanfinal.pdf

JR,
Thanks for the url. Note on page 20 that the census folks acknowledge that people find their stinking survey too long and too intrusive! But it seems that their computer systems can't handle any revisions at this point.

Everyone who gets the ACS should read this document. It tells you exactly how many times they will call your phone or ring your doorbell.

Dear Lord, what a waste of money. I just hope they're this conscientious at taking care of our troups when they come back mangled from the mideast and need lifelong medical care.

Last Friday, March 24, 2006, I was able to introduce the ACS to our local talk radio audience. The program host gave me time to cover the basics and reacted as we all have. I have called and written 2 Senators and 3 Congressmen at both their local and Washington D.C. offices, and wrote to Pres. Bush telling him that this is the first time in 61 years that due to a bad law, I am an intentional law-breaker. I'm not sure how this whole mess got through the Senate and House, but we need to light a fire under them.

Much ado about nothing. A required response can be "Refuse to Answer" which is perfectly acceptable to them; and that is what I did for each question. The follow up phone call today was from a lady who said I had skipped a couple of questions and the computer would just kick out the form unless all were answered. She could not fill in "refuse to answer" without my permission. She was nice and I was nice and it turned out to be pleasant for both of us!

Much ado about nothing. A required response can be "Refuse to Answer" which is perfectly acceptable to them; and that is what I did for each question. The follow up phone call today was from a lady who said I had skipped a couple of questions and the computer would just kick out the form unless all were answered. She could not fill in "refuse to answer" without my permission. She was nice and I was nice and it turned out to be pleasant for both of us!

Good Afternoon- I stumbled across this site while I was doing research on the web on the ACS. I rec'd the first one a few weeks ago and just ignored it. Sure enough a few weeks later another survey appeared in the mail along with a few post card reminders before that. Then came the phone calls, several almost everyday, including weekends and evenings. I read many of the posts on this site and I too share everyone's concern about privacy. And let me say I'm no fan of this thing. But I remember reading an earlier post from someone that mentioned that they spoke to the census folks on the phone and it wasn't too bad. After the mailings and the umpteen phone calls I finally decided to pick up the phone when they called the other night. I wasn't happy about it, but I figured if I didn't eventually talk to them the next step would be a visit from the friendly neighborhood census bureau. Honestly, I was kind of rude to the person on the phone, told them I was having dinner and they needed to call back. I hoped this might somehow make them leave me alone, but of course they called the next night. I did speak with the girl that called and I have to admit it wasn't that bad. The key to the whole thing was that any question that I did not want to answer, I simply stated that I did not wish to answer and she was fine with it.
Moral of the story is I spent weeks worrying about this and dodging these people and in the end, if you talk to them, you don't have to answer anything you don't want to answer. So do yourself a favor and do it over the phone. Again, I'm not crazy about the whole thing but I didn't tell them anything that any credit card company, utility, or mortgage bank doesn't already know.
Hope this was helpful.

Jeff... did yo tell them what your mortgage payment was? Didja tell them what your proerty taxes are? Didja tell them what time you leave for work in the am? IFFFF you did you are seting yourself up for big brother. Have a great day

Jeff... did yo tell them what your mortgage payment was? Didja tell them what your proerty taxes are? Didja tell them what time you leave for work in the am? IFFFF you did you are seting yourself up for big brother. Have a great day

Jeff... did yo tell them what your mortgage payment was? Didja tell them what your proerty taxes are? Didja tell them what time you leave for work in the am? IFFFF you did you are seting yourself up for big brother. Have a great day

The information requested by this survey is a gross invasion of personal and financial privacy, has serious implications for identify theft and, in some instances, is a duplicative waste of taxpayer dollars . I have replied to the Census Bureau placing "Confidential" where questions regarding personal financial or other information was none of their business. I have elaborated on this survery in a covering letter to the Census Bureau. I sent that letter, an additional cover letter and an annotated copy of their guideline to my senators, congressional representative and the ACLU requesting modifications to this survery to make it less intrusive. I suggest everyone who receives this survey and is offended by it follow the same constructive measures. We have priorities of a much higher order in this Nation than spending taxpayer dollars to data mine information that will be given to corporations who elude payment of their taxes but will futher solicit American citizens with whatever they might be selling.

Sample of Letter to Congress/ACLU
This letter is being written to direct your attention to gross invasion of privacy regarding requests and/or marketing for and of personal financial information as well as invasion of privacy regarding residential relationships and potential identity theft. These issues are interrelated and concern The American Community Survey 2005 circulated by the Bureau of Census and the IRS Rules change regarding the marketing of Income Tax Returns by tax preparers.

Although a [Redacted] resident for the past 45 years, I recently purchased a condominium in [Redacted] with the possible intention of returning to my native city upon retirement. At the present time, this apartment is a second or vacation residence that is progressively being redecorated and utilized by me when I am visiting. Over the New Year weekend 2006, I received an American Community Survey packet from the U.S. Census Bureau. Within a period of four days during this holiday period, I received no less than three separate mailings from the Census Bureau urging me to fill out this extensive form.

Invasion of Privacy
While I consider the census a very important function, I was nevertheless appalled, by the requests for highly personal and specific financial data that is essentially none of their business. Attached please find a copy of my cover letter that accompanied submission of this form to the Census Bureau outlining portions of this form that were highly objectionable and to which I replied that such data were confidential. I am also attaching a copy of their guide ACS-30(2005) annotated by me for your perusal. Some of the requested data is also public record or available through another government agency so the Census Bureau should not be wasting taxpayer dollars and time soliciting and recompiling this information. I also understand that once one is an object of this survey they continue to mail, telephone and attempt personal visits to obtain the requested data. This is harassment and also a waste of taxpayer dollars and time that should be utilized for problems of a higher priority of which there are many. I have attached sample pages of a petition and internet comments of the reactions posted by others who have also received this survey.

The Census Bureau should reformulate their financial queries to responses in ranges of rather than specific dollar amounts. This would be more appropriate. I am also very annoyed that these data are utilized for, inter alia, business and marketing purposes. Please see pages from their Congressional Guide delineating this use. Regarding the sale of income tax returns by tax preparers to data banks and businesses, returns that contain personal financial data and tax refund information, this should cease forthwith. American tax dollars should not subsidize research for corporations who elude payment of their own taxes but predaciously solicit taxpayers for selling whatever in exchange their tax refund monies. This practice is absolutely abhorrent.

In addition to the foregoing, it is highly inappropriate for any government entity to ask that citizens distinguish between a housemate and a domestic partner at his place of residence. This, as well as the depth of the racial questions posed by the Census Bureau, are discriminatory and/or none of their business.

Identity Theft
The Census Bureau assures the responder that the highly personal data requested is confidential and utilized in statistical format. Nevertheless, these data are separately entered into a database. Everyone knows that computers storing such data can be hacked or data can be inadvertently released into cyberspace as evidenced by the recent Citibank fiasco or loss of data by ChoicePoint, one of the corporations obtaining, compiling and reselling confidential income tax data to Business.

By this letter, I am requesting that you have the Census Bureau modify their survey to a more appropriate form as it relates to personal finance, personal relationships, racial questions, and certain emotional/physical information, etc. They should also seek data that is available through another government agency be it federal state or local or a matter of public record themselves rather than duplicating that which already exists thereby wasting taxpayer dollars that should be expended on more urgent problems such as Healthcare for all Americans. Tax preparers should not be permitted to sell tax returns to Business for any reason whatsoever.

It is my impression that the Bush Administration is inappropriately seeking to obtain as much personal information on United States citizens as possible for their own ulterior motives as well as farm this data out to corporations who will, in turn, solicit us with whatever they happen to be selling. This intrusion into the privacy of American citizens is getting out of control.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please respond to this correspondence to advise me what Action can be taken regarding these issues. I find it really distressing that I must write regarding such matters occurring in these United States of America. A sad time indeed.

The information requested by this survey is a gross invasion of personal and financial privacy, has serious implications for identify theft and, in some instances, is a duplicative waste of taxpayer dollars . I have replied to the Census Bureau placing "Confidential" where questions regarding personal financial or other information was none of their business. I have elaborated on this survery in a covering letter to the Census Bureau. I sent that letter, an additional cover letter and an annotated copy of their guideline to my senators, congressional representative and the ACLU requesting modifications to this survery to make it less intrusive. I suggest everyone who receives this survey and is offended by it follow the same constructive measures. We have priorities of a much higher order in this Nation than spending taxpayer dollars to data mine information that will be given to corporations who elude payment of their taxes but will futher solicit American citizens with whatever they might be selling.

Sample of Letter to Congress/ACLU
This letter is being written to direct your attention to gross invasion of privacy regarding requests and/or marketing for and of personal financial information as well as invasion of privacy regarding residential relationships and potential identity theft. These issues are interrelated and concern The American Community Survey 2005 circulated by the Bureau of Census and the IRS Rules change regarding the marketing of Income Tax Returns by tax preparers.

Although a [Redacted] resident for the past 45 years, I recently purchased a condominium in [Redacted] with the possible intention of returning to my native city upon retirement. At the present time, this apartment is a second or vacation residence that is progressively being redecorated and utilized by me when I am visiting. Over the New Year weekend 2006, I received an American Community Survey packet from the U.S. Census Bureau. Within a period of four days during this holiday period, I received no less than three separate mailings from the Census Bureau urging me to fill out this extensive form.

Invasion of Privacy
While I consider the census a very important function, I was nevertheless appalled, by the requests for highly personal and specific financial data that is essentially none of their business. Attached please find a copy of my cover letter that accompanied submission of this form to the Census Bureau outlining portions of this form that were highly objectionable and to which I replied that such data were confidential. I am also attaching a copy of their guide ACS-30(2005) annotated by me for your perusal. Some of the requested data is also public record or available through another government agency so the Census Bureau should not be wasting taxpayer dollars and time soliciting and recompiling this information. I also understand that once one is an object of this survey they continue to mail, telephone and attempt personal visits to obtain the requested data. This is harassment and also a waste of taxpayer dollars and time that should be utilized for problems of a higher priority of which there are many. I have attached sample pages of a petition and internet comments of the reactions posted by others who have also received this survey.

The Census Bureau should reformulate their financial queries to responses in ranges of rather than specific dollar amounts. This would be more appropriate. I am also very annoyed that these data are utilized for, inter alia, business and marketing purposes. Please see pages from their Congressional Guide delineating this use. Regarding the sale of income tax returns by tax preparers to data banks and businesses, returns that contain personal financial data and tax refund information, this should cease forthwith. American tax dollars should not subsidize research for corporations who elude payment of their own taxes but predaciously solicit taxpayers for selling whatever in exchange their tax refund monies. This practice is absolutely abhorrent.

In addition to the foregoing, it is highly inappropriate for any government entity to ask that citizens distinguish between a housemate and a domestic partner at his place of residence. This, as well as the depth of the racial questions posed by the Census Bureau, are discriminatory and/or none of their business.

Identity Theft
The Census Bureau assures the responder that the highly personal data requested is confidential and utilized in statistical format. Nevertheless, these data are separately entered into a database. Everyone knows that computers storing such data can be hacked or data can be inadvertently released into cyberspace as evidenced by the recent Citibank fiasco or loss of data by ChoicePoint, one of the corporations obtaining, compiling and reselling confidential income tax data to Business.

By this letter, I am requesting that you have the Census Bureau modify their survey to a more appropriate form as it relates to personal finance, personal relationships, racial questions, and certain emotional/physical information, etc. They should also seek data that is available through another government agency be it federal state or local or a matter of public record themselves rather than duplicating that which already exists thereby wasting taxpayer dollars that should be expended on more urgent problems such as Healthcare for all Americans. Tax preparers should not be permitted to sell tax returns to Business for any reason whatsoever.

It is my impression that the Bush Administration is inappropriately seeking to obtain as much personal information on United States citizens as possible for their own ulterior motives as well as farm this data out to corporations who will, in turn, solicit us with whatever they happen to be selling. This intrusion into the privacy of American citizens is getting out of control.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please respond to this correspondence to advise me what Action can be taken regarding these issues. I find it really distressing that I must write regarding such matters occurring in these United States of America. A sad time indeed.

The information requested by this survey is a gross invasion of personal and financial privacy, has serious implications for identify theft and, in some instances, is a duplicative waste of taxpayer dollars . I have replied to the Census Bureau placing "Confidential" where questions regarding personal financial or other information was none of their business. I have elaborated on this survery in a covering letter to the Census Bureau. I sent that letter, an additional cover letter and an annotated copy of their guideline to my senators, congressional representative and the ACLU requesting modifications to this survery to make it less intrusive. I suggest everyone who receives this survey and is offended by it follow the same constructive measures. We have priorities of a much higher order in this Nation than spending taxpayer dollars to data mine information that will be given to corporations who elude payment of their taxes but will futher solicit American citizens with whatever they might be selling.

Sample of Letter to Congress/ACLU
This letter is being written to direct your attention to gross invasion of privacy regarding requests and/or marketing for and of personal financial information as well as invasion of privacy regarding residential relationships and potential identity theft. These issues are interrelated and concern The American Community Survey 2005 circulated by the Bureau of Census and the IRS Rules change regarding the marketing of Income Tax Returns by tax preparers.

Although a [Redacted] resident for the past 45 years, I recently purchased a condominium in [Redacted] with the possible intention of returning to my native city upon retirement. At the present time, this apartment is a second or vacation residence that is progressively being redecorated and utilized by me when I am visiting. Over the New Year weekend 2006, I received an American Community Survey packet from the U.S. Census Bureau. Within a period of four days during this holiday period, I received no less than three separate mailings from the Census Bureau urging me to fill out this extensive form.

Invasion of Privacy
While I consider the census a very important function, I was nevertheless appalled, by the requests for highly personal and specific financial data that is essentially none of their business. Attached please find a copy of my cover letter that accompanied submission of this form to the Census Bureau outlining portions of this form that were highly objectionable and to which I replied that such data were confidential. I am also attaching a copy of their guide ACS-30(2005) annotated by me for your perusal. Some of the requested data is also public record or available through another government agency so the Census Bureau should not be wasting taxpayer dollars and time soliciting and recompiling this information. I also understand that once one is an object of this survey they continue to mail, telephone and attempt personal visits to obtain the requested data. This is harassment and also a waste of taxpayer dollars and time that should be utilized for problems of a higher priority of which there are many. I have attached sample pages of a petition and internet comments of the reactions posted by others who have also received this survey.

The Census Bureau should reformulate their financial queries to responses in ranges of rather than specific dollar amounts. This would be more appropriate. I am also very annoyed that these data are utilized for, inter alia, business and marketing purposes. Please see pages from their Congressional Guide delineating this use. Regarding the sale of income tax returns by tax preparers to data banks and businesses, returns that contain personal financial data and tax refund information, this should cease forthwith. American tax dollars should not subsidize research for corporations who elude payment of their own taxes but predaciously solicit taxpayers for selling whatever in exchange their tax refund monies. This practice is absolutely abhorrent.

In addition to the foregoing, it is highly inappropriate for any government entity to ask that citizens distinguish between a housemate and a domestic partner at his place of residence. This, as well as the depth of the racial questions posed by the Census Bureau, are discriminatory and/or none of their business.

Identity Theft
The Census Bureau assures the responder that the highly personal data requested is confidential and utilized in statistical format. Nevertheless, these data are separately entered into a database. Everyone knows that computers storing such data can be hacked or data can be inadvertently released into cyberspace as evidenced by the recent Citibank fiasco or loss of data by ChoicePoint, one of the corporations obtaining, compiling and reselling confidential income tax data to Business.

By this letter, I am requesting that you have the Census Bureau modify their survey to a more appropriate form as it relates to personal finance, personal relationships, racial questions, and certain emotional/physical information, etc. They should also seek data that is available through another government agency be it federal state or local or a matter of public record themselves rather than duplicating that which already exists thereby wasting taxpayer dollars that should be expended on more urgent problems such as Healthcare for all Americans. Tax preparers should not be permitted to sell tax returns to Business for any reason whatsoever.

It is my impression that the Bush Administration is inappropriately seeking to obtain as much personal information on United States citizens as possible for their own ulterior motives as well as farm this data out to corporations who will, in turn, solicit us with whatever they happen to be selling. This intrusion into the privacy of American citizens is getting out of control.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please respond to this correspondence to advise me what Action can be taken regarding these issues. I find it really distressing that I must write regarding such matters occurring in these United States of America. A sad time indeed.

The information requested by this survey is a gross invasion of personal and financial privacy, has serious implications for identify theft and, in some instances, is a duplicative waste of taxpayer dollars . I have replied to the Census Bureau placing "Confidential" where questions regarding personal financial or other information was none of their business. I have elaborated on this survery in a covering letter to the Census Bureau. I sent that letter, an additional cover letter and an annotated copy of their guideline to my senators, congressional representative and the ACLU requesting modifications to this survery to make it less intrusive. I suggest everyone who receives this survey and is offended by it follow the same constructive measures. We have priorities of a much higher order in this Nation than spending taxpayer dollars to data mine information that will be given to corporations who elude payment of their taxes but will futher solicit American citizens with whatever they might be selling.

Sample of Letter to Congress/ACLU
This letter is being written to direct your attention to gross invasion of privacy regarding requests and/or marketing for and of personal financial information as well as invasion of privacy regarding residential relationships and potential identity theft. These issues are interrelated and concern The American Community Survey 2005 circulated by the Bureau of Census and the IRS Rules change regarding the marketing of Income Tax Returns by tax preparers.

Although a [Redacted] resident for the past 45 years, I recently purchased a condominium in [Redacted] with the possible intention of returning to my native city upon retirement. At the present time, this apartment is a second or vacation residence that is progressively being redecorated and utilized by me when I am visiting. Over the New Year weekend 2006, I received an American Community Survey packet from the U.S. Census Bureau. Within a period of four days during this holiday period, I received no less than three separate mailings from the Census Bureau urging me to fill out this extensive form.

Invasion of Privacy
While I consider the census a very important function, I was nevertheless appalled, by the requests for highly personal and specific financial data that is essentially none of their business. Attached please find a copy of my cover letter that accompanied submission of this form to the Census Bureau outlining portions of this form that were highly objectionable and to which I replied that such data were confidential. I am also attaching a copy of their guide ACS-30(2005) annotated by me for your perusal. Some of the requested data is also public record or available through another government agency so the Census Bureau should not be wasting taxpayer dollars and time soliciting and recompiling this information. I also understand that once one is an object of this survey they continue to mail, telephone and attempt personal visits to obtain the requested data. This is harassment and also a waste of taxpayer dollars and time that should be utilized for problems of a higher priority of which there are many. I have attached sample pages of a petition and internet comments of the reactions posted by others who have also received this survey.

The Census Bureau should reformulate their financial queries to responses in ranges of rather than specific dollar amounts. This would be more appropriate. I am also very annoyed that these data are utilized for, inter alia, business and marketing purposes. Please see pages from their Congressional Guide delineating this use. Regarding the sale of income tax returns by tax preparers to data banks and businesses, returns that contain personal financial data and tax refund information, this should cease forthwith. American tax dollars should not subsidize research for corporations who elude payment of their own taxes but predaciously solicit taxpayers for selling whatever in exchange their tax refund monies. This practice is absolutely abhorrent.

In addition to the foregoing, it is highly inappropriate for any government entity to ask that citizens distinguish between a housemate and a domestic partner at his place of residence. This, as well as the depth of the racial questions posed by the Census Bureau, are discriminatory and/or none of their business.

Identity Theft
The Census Bureau assures the responder that the highly personal data requested is confidential and utilized in statistical format. Nevertheless, these data are separately entered into a database. Everyone knows that computers storing such data can be hacked or data can be inadvertently released into cyberspace as evidenced by the recent Citibank fiasco or loss of data by ChoicePoint, one of the corporations obtaining, compiling and reselling confidential income tax data to Business.

By this letter, I am requesting that you have the Census Bureau modify their survey to a more appropriate form as it relates to personal finance, personal relationships, racial questions, and certain emotional/physical information, etc. They should also seek data that is available through another government agency be it federal state or local or a matter of public record themselves rather than duplicating that which already exists thereby wasting taxpayer dollars that should be expended on more urgent problems such as Healthcare for all Americans. Tax preparers should not be permitted to sell tax returns to Business for any reason whatsoever.

It is my impression that the Bush Administration is inappropriately seeking to obtain as much personal information on United States citizens as possible for their own ulterior motives as well as farm this data out to corporations who will, in turn, solicit us with whatever they happen to be selling. This intrusion into the privacy of American citizens is getting out of control.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please respond to this correspondence to advise me what Action can be taken regarding these issues. I find it really distressing that I must write regarding such matters occurring in these United States of America. A sad time indeed.

April Fool's! The first ringy-dingy from the Census Bureau today. I cut the call short by simply saying that I had no intention of giving the verbal answers to questions that I would not answer in writing. Evidently, my letter to Pres. Bush didn't take me off the "hit list". See if I vote for him again!

A plesant ACS agent drove out to my semi remote, western Montana Hermitage the other day and presented me with several articles about the survey. Just how I was selected "at random" I do not know as the acreage has no address. I told the lady I'd review the material and would get back to her... after researching the issue - and thus finding this web site.

Taking the advice I found here, I called the agent and told her I would take the survey but decline to answer any questions about health or money. She accepted that, and entered "Adult Male" in place of my name. I did make the mistake of giving her my name and cell phone number when she first visited..... which was not necessary - and I hope I don't experience the "call backs" mentioned on this page.

The agent was "nice" and accepted my "I do not care to answer that question" answers I gave her over the phone the next day.

I will report back to this site if any ACS "follow up" occurs.

Good luck to all.... and thank you for this site.

WB Allen

Jeff... did yo tell them what your mortgage payment was? Didja tell them what your proerty taxes are? Didja tell them what time you leave for work in the am? IFFFF you did you are seting yourself up for big brother. Have a great day

Hello "Resident"
I was checking back to see how things were going on this site and saw your response to my post. I appreciate you concern, actually I did give them a ballpark of my property taxes because that's public info you can get anywhere, but I did not give them my mortgage payment or tell them when I leave in the morning. I know what info is easily accessible in the public domain and what is not. I didn't tell them anything that could have remotely jeopardized myself or my family with regard to identity theft or privacy invasions.

Look I get it that this is a pain and quite honestly I'm not comfortable with the whole thing. There is no way I would answer all the questions on the form. There's a lot on there that is intrusive. My only point of even posting anything here is to let people know that if they do choose to respond, the telephone is the way to go and simply refuse to answer any questions you find inappropriate.

There's many good suggestions on this site and I commend everyone on here for their efforts.

Thanks.

Jeff... did yo tell them what your mortgage payment was? Didja tell them what your proerty taxes are? Didja tell them what time you leave for work in the am? IFFFF you did you are seting yourself up for big brother. Have a great day

Hello "Resident"
I was checking back to see how things were going on this site and saw your response to my post. I appreciate you concern, actually I did give them a ballpark of my property taxes because that's public info you can get anywhere, but I did not give them my mortgage payment or tell them when I leave in the morning. I know what info is easily accessible in the public domain and what is not. I didn't tell them anything that could have remotely jeopardized myself or my family with regard to identity theft or privacy invasions.

Look I get it that this is a pain and quite honestly I'm not comfortable with the whole thing. There is no way I would answer all the questions on the form. There's a lot on there that is intrusive. My only point of even posting anything here is to let people know that if they do choose to respond, the telephone is the way to go and simply refuse to answer any questions you find inappropriate.

There's many good suggestions on this site and I commend everyone on here for their efforts.

Thanks.

After reading W.B. Allen's post, I'm really starting to wonder how they pick people 'randomly' to get the ACS. We got one and we sort of fly under the radar: not enough income to pay taxes; living really simply so not much if any consumer purchasing; no kids in the school system; same property owner for nearly 45 years...in a neighborhood that's gone from lower middle class to very upscale. WB Allen described his homestead as remote; Arlene lives outside the country. Maybe the reason this has been allowed to continue without a huge protest, is that they're targeting a group of us that just aren't that visible? Many of the surveys initially are 'nonresponders' because the property is commercial, or nonexistent, etc. I.e., they're not using the tax rolls to get their address list.

I just now got a call from 888-766-3512. The male voice ask for my son who does not live here. When I ask who was calling, the person hung up. I googled the number and rec'd several names tied to it including a cancer fund, a casino and a porn outfit. I dialed the number and got a recording telling me that no one was available to take my call.

My son is an adult who is incompacitated due to illness. I can't help wondering how they got my number for him. What's going on here?

I just now got a call from 888-766-3512. The male voice ask for my son who does not live here. When I ask who was calling, the person hung up. I googled the number and rec'd several names tied to it including a cancer fund, a casino and a porn outfit. I dialed the number and got a recording telling me that no one was available to take my call.

My son is an adult who is incompacitated due to illness. I can't help wondering how they got my number for him. What's going on here?

I just now got a call from 888-766-3512. The male voice ask for my son who does not live here. When I ask who was calling, the person hung up. I googled the number and rec'd several names tied to it including a cancer fund, a casino and a porn outfit. I dialed the number and got a recording telling me that no one was available to take my call.

My son is an adult who is incompacitated due to illness. I can't help wondering how they got my number for him. What's going on here?

Yesterday evening, he came. I did not get any advance phone calls - probably because I do not have a home phone (only cellular phone). It was barely 3 weeks from the second mailing.

In the entire history of living in my current home, noone has ever rung my front door doorbell (I live in a rural home with a side door near the driveway). This guy rang my front door doorbell. I answered the door just knowing who it was and what he wanted.

He said: Good evening.
I said: Good evening.
He said: I represent the Department of Commerce US Census Bureau. I am doing a followup interview to the census survey that was mailed to this address. Do you live at this address?
I said: We do not participate in surveys or accept any solicitation.
He said: I am not soliciting, I am gathering necessary census data.
I said: That sounds like soliciting.
He said: I'm going to ask you a number of questions related to you, your residence, and others residing at this address.
I said: I will not answer any questions.
He said: You are required by law to respond to the survey questions.
I said: Are you an enforcement officer of some department with jurisdiction here?
He said: I am not a law enforcement officer.
I said: Are you trying to detain me?
He said: NO! I'm not trying to detain you.
I said: I'm leaving now. Please excuse me. [I stepped back and started to close the door.]
He said: Is there a better time to complete the interview?
I said: It will never happen. [I finished closing the door.]

It was all very polite and non-confrontational. I probably don't have it exactly word for word, but that's the jist of it.

He went to his car and sat in the driveway for a little over 10 minutes writing notes. Then, he drove away.

We'll see if they come back.

As long as it's me answering the doorbell, they will not get a single piece of info without a court order.

It's worth it to google 'American Community Survey'. The statistician-types just love it...whereas the poor folks providing the numbers are freaked out. Check out this article from 5 years ago about one woman's experience:

http://www.csindy.com/csindy/2001-05-31/news2.html

In 2003, Congress allocated $136 million for it. Now they're asking for around 170-180 million. Averages out to 1.5 billion for the decade.

RE "Why Me" Post:

The survey lady had no address, name or phone number... only a portable computer with a county road map and my "location" on it. Like you I live simply, don't make "waves" and have no community impact except for the "goods" purchased in town once or twice a month or whenever the dirt roads are passable. The general area, however, has begun to see large tracts of land diveded into 20 acre home sites - and property values like mine have spiked within the past two years - which seems a little like your property situation.... So - I wonder if this might be a way Realitors are getting information?? Just a thought.

Anyway - the large rustic A-Frame I am building is a "standout" from the air - and private airplanes do fly over the area now and then - so I might have been spotted that way. Her "title" to my location was listed as nothing more than "A-Frame/Cabin". So who knows about the "randomness" of the process?

BTW - no callbacks so far.

The second ACS phone call came last night while I was out picking up pizza. My wife answered and the agent identified himself and started to ask her the questions. She stopped him and said that we would not respond to any questions and that he should speak to me (she knows I have some choice words for him and his supervisor).
I called into the local talk radio show this a.m. to continue my ACS saga, and the host said he had "googled" ACS and was amazed at the questions... well DUH! (Honestly, no one really gives a damn until they receive the packet.)
So far, I have written the President and Cc'ed my politicians, written Director Kincannon, and informed my clients and friends personally, and the community via the radio. This outlaw will continue to resist government intrusion.

WB Allen: I am in the suburbs of NYC...every square inch around here has been developed. Now the trend is to replace smaller homes with McMansions. We are 1 of only 2 homes in our area that still has the original owner and has done no remodeling (I think I'll visit the other home tomorrow and see if he got an ACS). Our piece of property is large enough to build a really big place and still have a decent yard. There have been many mailings/calls from realtors during the past few years, which I've totally ignored. The census bureau wants to sell this info, so they've tailored everything about it to the needs of those who want to buy it...and nosey realtors are probably at the top of the list. I'm hoping some other posters will describe their living situations. Maybe we can spot the trend.

http://home.wi.rr.com/saruman/rants/rants_american_survey.html

Here's another frightening find:
http://www.ogc.doc.gov/ogc/legreg/testimon/106s/prewitt0720.htm

Some points of interest:
- One of the goals of the ACS was to reduce the backlash that comes from such a gross invasion of privacy.

The feeling was that when the long form was delivered to 20 million households, the negative response was too big to manage. By delivering the same questions to 250k households at a time, the negative response can be better managed with fewer, but better trained, interviewers.

- The ACS allows characterization of geographical areas as small as a city block. (I wonder how privacy is guaranteed for the only family without a car on that city block?)

A direct quote from the report.
"Up-to-date small area address counts from ACS operations will be beneficial to private companies conducting surveys, small area data on characteristics, such as race and ethnicity, will help them stratify their area samples, and general-purpose data products from the ACS will allow the private sector to develop new specialized data products that contain current, rather than outdated, information."
(Boy that's all we need, encouragement to private marketing companies to bother us even more.)

Sickening.

Another Resident:

Interesting that they can characterize geographical areas as small as a city block being that they only sample 1 out of 500 households each year? Did you notice that somewhere on the packet they mentioned that the ACS information was combined with 'other information' on file from other sources?

During the past year, I've looked into getting courtesy cards from both a large drug store chain and an upscale food market, since the advertised specials required having these discount cards. In both cases I ended up tossing the applications out because they required too much personal/financial information, and because it seemed to me that they could figure out who you were from some of the address information they requested; i.e., it wasn't all that private. I'm wondering if this information is also for sale...and if it can't all be combined somehow. Maybe the ACS targets folks that aren't in any of these other databases?

What's sort of amusing to me is that the last few times I bought things at the drugstore, the clerk used a generic courtesy card to give me the discounts anyway. Maybe because there are now several competing stores in the neighborhood where you don't need the discount card to get the sale prices. Good old competition wins out!

Sec 221(c)

"My religious beliefs preclude me answering these questions"

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+13USC221

You know - I would be more likely to answer ACS questions about my "life" if I felt our government were trustworthy, competent, and truly representitive of society instead of the #$%%@& that they really are (or turn out to be once they get into office).... I cannot say a civil word in truth about our present government. I do, however, love the American ideal and its institutions of "freedom and justice" - and believe we would be better served by simply NOT RE-ELECTING ANYBODY to public office. We do of course have this power - but sadly it seems that at least 50% of the voting population is just as ignorant as the representatives they elect (do I see a pattern here??). So spread the word everyone - DO NOT RE-ELECT.

I wonder if government employees get the ACS forms??? (expecially those who created it!)

Have a great day.

I was so happy to find this site. I felt like I was the only one that was upset about this!
Like so many here I was blown away when I received the ACS. I wouldn't even give some of my family member that information, much less some strangers from the government! After a few phone calls I agreed on an interview. Thankfully my dad is good with dealing with people like that. When she arrived I DID NOT let her into my house, we stayed outside, (right next to her big Caddilac!!) Instead of her asking the questions, we did. After asking if this is required (and getting the typical yes by TItle 13) we asked her how much she makes doing her job. After all, she was going to ask me that question and besides my taxes pay for her salary! Needless to say she would not tell us! Here are some of the other key pionts we hit on.

1) In Title13,Chapter 1 Sec3 it states that the (Census)Bureau must have a seal and must be affixed to all documents authenticated by the Bureau. If you do a little research you will find that the seal printed on the ACS is not that of the Census Bureau but of the Department of Commerce! Therefore how can this survey be form the Census Bureau??

2) Title 13 Chpt7 sec 225 This refers to the penalities or fines they threaten to impose. It's a little difficult to read but basically it states that none of the punishments (fines or jail time) apply to censuses or surveys that are taken more than annually. This survey is sent out monthly which is why you have never heard of anyone getting fined. They can't, it's only to scare you!

3) Another interesting thing to note- even if you were to ignore the above #2, the same chapter says that whoever gives any answer that is false shall be fined not more than $500. But yet you will be told that you don't have to give your real name (we were told to use John Doe). Isn't this giving a false answer!!?? They are telling us to lie!! How could they fine us for refusing to answering or for giving false answers all while telling us to lie?

In response to some of the people who said they gave only the answers that they knew the ACS could find out - why even give them that? If they can find it out, then let them go find it out! If it's in public records then tell them to use them. That's what those records are for! Even you name! The "real" census will come addressed to you personally. If the ACS can find your name and telephone# let them go find it out, elsewhere. But don't volunteer it. Be strong and ask them to leave, they will go away. Or ask them to answer some of the questions about themself. Where do they live, how many cars do they own? Assure them their answers will be kept confidential.

In my case the lady left very frustrated after we again asked how much she got paid. Haven't heard from her since.

Did my interview by phone. Amazingly the number of questions is only 1/4 of what they ask on the paper form. No questions about bathrooms, commuting time. But they really zero in on $$$. And it seems like the major emphasis was on whether our home was owned free and clear...also whether there was a home equity loan. She kept rewording this question and trying to ask it again and again.

You can refuse to answer. When she told me that I was required by law to answer, I asked her who she voted for in the last presidential election. That was that.

I now carry the paper copy around with me and show it to people on the commuter train, in the MDs office. I have yet to find anyone else who has even heard of it. Everyone I show it to is outraged. What this will need is for some national show like 60 Minutes to do a profile on it. It would make a great story...but all the networks are run by corporations with ties to businesses that want to buy the information. So don't hold your breath.

I wonder if these ACS phone and in-person interviewers are actually government employees, or just contract workers. Make a note to ax'em when one calls or visits. I wanna see a name and employee ID number and I have no doubt that the phone names are bogus. I refuse to give one single answer to any question. Let's see who makes a federal case of this.

http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_075103302.html

Seen on another site. Play video clip of report. No one seems to agree on a penalty.

I too am against this. I received 1 survey, threw it away, then a few weeks later another one came. I wrote 2 adult residents and thats it. Never answered anything, etc. I wrote them a "cease and decist letter" stating that I would not answer anything else, and that I would file a class action suit if they harrassed me. I havent heard anything more, and it has been almost 3 weeks.
It amazes me the arrogance of these bastards. I am encouraging everyone not to answer, it is just a bluff on the government part!

Letter to Editor Finds census questions invade privacy

Published: Apr 19, 2006

America, as the land of the free and home of the brave, is fast becoming a memory. Recently, I have been forced to be an outlaw by my own federal government.

The Bureau of the Census chose me to complete the American Community Survey. It is compulsory that I divulge personal and private information about my household, such as my name and date of birth, the value of my property, the amount of the annual tax paid, the cost of monthly electricity and gas bills, the annual cost for water and sewerage, the annual cost of insurance, the amount of my monthly mortgage or rent, the number of bathrooms, the number of telephones, the number of cars, the name of my employer and address, the time I leave for work, who rides with me, the time it takes to reach my workplace and the source of my income, including salary, commission, dividends, retirement, welfare, and/or other assistance.

The last time I checked, I am a “private citizen.” Although the federal government promises to keep all my information a secret, I believe this is an invasion of my privacy. All that personal data will be loaded onto a hard drive which can be hacked or sold to merchandisers.

The bad news is that you will be receiving this same survey by 2010. You will be harassed by census workers, as I am now. I understand that there is a penalty for not cooperating. I will regard it as a badge of honor.

Answer to the above letter to editor

Re: "Census questions invade privacy"
Published 4-26-06

"My name is ... and I am the information specialist with the Census Bureau's office in ...
I am taking this opportunity to tell the readers what the ACS is all about and what it means to your city. I also want to assure everyone that the Census Bureau work force is bound by an iron-clad commitment that is backed by Fed. law: We may not release personally identifiable information.
Data stewardship - providing quality data for public good while respecting individual privacy and protecting confidentiality - is the Census Bureau's core responsibility. It is the formal process we use to care for the public's information - from the beginning, when people answer a survey, to the end, when we release statistical data products.
The Census Bureau collects the data that Congress has requested to provide information to government and businesses. Billions of dollars go to states and cities based on the census data, so filling out census questionnairs helps bring dollars back to local areas.
Although answering the questions might be considered an invasion of privacy, the surveys are grounded in congressional requests for information that help idividual communities.
For example, government policy-makers and legislators use the questions concerning employment and income as important indicators of our nation's economic situation. Your city and other communities need this information to help determine where to build new schools, roads and senior centers... where to locate everything from coffee shops and hardware stores to bus stops.
These are just a few of the many ways that census information beneits your community and you.

Where was their promise to protect confidentiality when Roosevelt wanted to round the Japanese up into internment camps? The Census Bureau volunteered the information as if it were some kind of civic duty of theirs.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/cens17.shtml

I was stunned to receive this ACS crap today. I had no idea this program even existed. This strategy is very clever on their part, it keeps the portions of outraged public small enough to be of no influence to any legislators in a given electoral cycle.

I suspect they're afraid to levy any fine at all because once they do, the issue can be recognized by the courts and struck down as unjust. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if the courts upheld it given their track record, but Census probably don't want to take the risk.

Me? I'm going to throw the form out and ignore them as best as I can. And if anyone from their bureau says "law" to me I'm going to produce my lawyer's contact information and tell them to take it up with him (good luck without my name).

Bastards. And I don't want to hear this crap about how they need this information to enrich our communities. The data quality from private sector market research companies is *far* better anyway. Not only is private sector's demographic information far better, but you can determine how interested the residents are in your class of product or service. You can literally call one of these companies up and say "Give me a mailing list of people who are fiscally conservative but socially progressive, pro-gun, go on frequent vacations, don't watch much TV, have european tastes in food and decor, and no kids."

The engineers in these market research companies say they can even infer sexual orientation of addressees, but don't want to offer it due to potential liability concerns.

So I ask you, dear reader, if the private sector's information is just so much more powerful than anything the dweebs at the Census Bureau can put together, what do we need them for? Nothing. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to get rid of government agencies once you've created them. They're filled with people who have useless jobs, and these useless people spend a lot of energy conjuring up grand visions of the importance of their work and the importance of ensuring that not only are they employed next year, but that maybe they'll even be promoted to cushier management positions by gobbling up even more of your tax dollars.

In business, you advance your career by creating efficiency and wealth for the company so it can expand into new markets and make more money. In government, you advance your career by convincing someone to increase your budget. The government annual budget sure isn't getting smaller every year...

Government jobs are just a form of welfare for useless people.

At the very least don't give these clowns the time of day.

I received my survey in the mail today. I had never before heard of this. I didn't want to answer all these detailed questions, so I did what many other people would do these days: turn to the web for answers. This site is a great resource, thanks!

In all honesty, I would have no qualms answering any of these questions IF I thought they really did some sort of good somehow. The fact of the matter is, this information is not necessary for the government to do its job, which is merely to secure the rights of the people.

The reason the USA became an independent country is because the government was continuously overstepping its bounds. I fear we are reaching ever closer to this point once again (this survey is just one example of many that could be given), and it worries me. As it is written in the Declaration of Independence, the document that outlined the reasons our founding fathers gave for becoming an independent nation:

    "We hold these Truths to be self-evident,
    that all men are created equal, that they
    are endowed, by their creator, with certain
    unalienable Rights, that among these are
    Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

    "That to secure these Rights, Governments
    are instituted among men, deriving their
    just Powers from the Consent of the Governed,
    that whenever any Form of Government
    becomes destructive of these Ends, it is
    the Right of the People to alter or abolish
    it, and to institute new Government, laying
    its Foundation on such Principles, and
    organizing its Powers in such Form, as to
    them shall seem most likely to effect their
    Safety and Happiness."

I'm not trying to ring the "doomsday" bell, I just think that many governmental agencies, when they get too big for their britches, forget the reason for which they were created.

Here's my plan of action, at least as far as this survey is concerned:
1. Ignore this first survey so that I get a second copy. I want to keep one official copy for myself.
2. Fill out the essential info on the second copy (number of people residing at this residence) and write "PASS" on everything else.

I want to keep a copy so I can show anyone and everyone what this bloated arm of the government is doing.

I urge everyone reading this (are you STILL reading through all these posts???) to contact your representatives and give them your thoughts on this matter.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/censusandstatistics/a/newcensus.htm

Do not read the above if you have a queasy stomach. Don't read the below either!

I have submitted to the paper my retort to the Census Bureau Drone's answer to my original cry in the wilderness. No kidding, to the vast majority of "sheeple", it's like sex and air: You don't really think about them unless you aren't getting any.

We are amongst the few, the proud, the resistance. Hang tough. That's what we learned in Escape and Evasion at Ft. Benning. Follow me.

Looks like they are more intrusive since the evil Bush took the office. Half a year later they are still bothering me. KISS MY ASS, I won't give a damm unless they send me a court order. They first called me with a different case number and now with a new number, how ridiculous they are. If they can't even get the case number right, how on earth will they think they won't mess up with my private information. Even the phone number, 888-817-2153, is not listed on their web site. Are they another CIA or what? If they are illusive and not honest with their own phone number, how could they think I would be comfortable giving my private info? WHAT AN IDIOT, PERVERT, & ABSURD ORGANIZATION!! Since they are ABSURDLY INTRUSIVE, I will be DILIGENTLY EVASIVE!!!!

We received the ACS in the mail on Friday (Apr.28, 2006). Today, Monday (May 1, 2006), we received a postcard telling us to be sure to fill it out and send it in. As if the questions aren't intrusive enough, they sure are demanding a fast response. These questions are just too intrusive, and the whole thing is making me sick with worry. I don't want to fill anything out other than a head count of who lives at this residence. However, I am afraid of being harassed for months on end--and possibly fined.

When I opened the envelope on Fri. and saw those questions, I immediately called my Congressman and e-mailed my Senators. I haven't heard back from anyone, although one of my Senators had what sounded like a college student (this is a large university town) answering the phone who was somewhat rude and she tried to Google info. about the ACS--she had never heard of it. As if I couldn't do that myself. She claims she had only filled out one census herself. She said, "Society is so much more complex today, so they need more info." Well, I don't care how "complex" "society" is, "they" don't need income, health, and employment info.

Does anyone know exactly what we can put down on the form to keep from being called or visited? What if you don't check one of the boxes in some of the questions and leave it blank? Will "refuse to answer" or "confidential" work for everything else? I assume anything left blank or unchecked will result in phone calls or visits? I really hate this!

Thanks.

We received the first survey in December 2005, the second one in January 2006. We received calls every night and finally answered in March with "resident" as names and "refuse to answer" to all questions with a letter about our constitutional rights.
The phone calls started again last weekend (April 28, 2006). They wanted us to answer the survey over the phone, and hanged up at us when we told them that we don't answer these kind of questions over the phone.
How long is it going to last?
I looked at all the comments and would like to know if anyone has been fined and how much?

Everyone who gets the survey feels intimidated. I feel irate and aggressive. I will NOT provide one single bit of information. It has become a matter of principle to me after the phone calls. If you miss a call and they leave you a message to call them back.... do it. Then carefully explain that you will NOT cooperate - now or ever. Tell them you get siezures under pressure, or flatulate when excited, or get irritable bowel symptoms or rabid response syndrome or projectile vomit at will.... hell, make up ANYTHING. Can you imagine some flunky knocking on your door and you open it and begin retching in their direction and getting closer to them?! Come on, get inventive!

Seriously, I personally know an 80 year old lady who had just nursed her recently deceased husband for 2 years and received the ACS and the census people made her life miserable until she obliged. It makes me very angry, and I will NOT fold under pressure. Screw'em. What are they gonna do? Send me to Vietnam? Fine me? Then DO IT. I cannot wait for that to hit the news. "Old man fined by Feds for refusing to give personal documentation". Yeah, RIGHT. You people get some spine and spirit.

I received the first survey about 4 months ago. I read through it and thought it really is a horrible privacy invasion. I'd probably feel better if a company was doing it rather than the US government...at least they'd have profits and sales to protect. I got another and ignored it. Since then it's been about a month and a half. Today, I got a call from my wife saying some guy was harassing her by buzzing the apartment ringer for 10 minutes or more. I called back and left a message but really intend to only answer the 3 basic questions of names, genders, and how many people.

I've never seen the government handle a task as enthusiastically as this one. Just imagine if the same amount of energy was applied to something truly important like education.

I'm glad to see so many new people posting here. The outrage caused by the ACS is real. The last time I posted here was in September of 2005. Since then, I have moved. I stayed in the same area (meaning I kept the same phone number), just changed locations. I'm still being hounded by these @#$holes. The ACS states the 'Location' is singled out and not the individual. They still want information and I still refuse to give it, because I do not reside at that location anymore.

My Banker has some of my information. My Real Estate Agent has some of my information. My Tax Accountant has some of my information. Nobody has all of it!

To the ACS I say FY (that's not fyi) that's really FY. I'll leave it to the reader of this message to figure out what that means.

Long live Article I, Section II, Clause III. The only way it should be legally changed is by debate and action in Congress, not by a wayward government organization.

-Jim Krupa-

(FYI) I'm not afraid to put my real name out here!

James Bovard wrote in 2000, "By providing reams of information, the census allows politicians to further manipulate people’s lives. The more information government collects, the more control government can exert.

The Constitution mandates that an enumeration of the citizenry be conducted every ten years in order to apportion seats in the House of Representatives. Citizens should never be required to answer any question except for the number of residents at an address. A partial boycott of the census questionnaire was necessary to safeguard our liberties and, therefore, it was good that a large number of Americans have refused to answer all the questions. Rather than a promise of confidentiality, the government’s census forms should come with a Miranda warning: Any answers you give can be used against you."

Amen.

What is the address for the Director of The Bureau of the Census? I was given an address in Suitland, MD and it was returned. Thanks.

The director is:
Charles Louis Kincannon

The address is:
US Census Bureau Room 2049-3
4700 Silver Hill Road
Washington, DC 20233-0100

I found this link for a picture of the guy who has caused us pain. He is the big fat guy on the right.

http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/photos/img/charlotte12-11-03-lo.jpg

If you read his bio, you will have no doubt what is in his head. He is one of the BUSH's gang members who love to invade citizen's right and privacy. Still remember an illegal eavesdropping???? Don't worry, he and his gang still have a little over 2 years to think anotehr illegal way to insult all of us...haha THANKS SO MUCH for those who elected him.

BY THE WAY, I AM FROM A DEVELOPING COUNTRY WHERE ITS CITIZEN'S RIGHT IS AT THE GOVERNMENT'S MERCY...YEAH IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOU NAKED, YOU NEED TO TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTH. I THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA WOULD PROTECT RESPECT A PRIVACY OF ITS CITIZEN....LOL I HAVE FOUND THAT THE US GOVERNMENT WHO ALWAYS BASHED MY COUNTRY FOR HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATION IS NO BETTER THAN MY GOVERNMENT. IT IS AS DICTATORIAL AS MY GOVERMENT. LOL

Dear Want to Kick Bush's Ass:
You need more "developing" like your country. You are still thinking "third world". Bush is not your problem, your mind is your problem. Americans have saved your pathetic ass for years, and Bush is your saviour. Get your head out of your ass and get back on your terrorist blog. We are trying to solve an internal problem, and you are bitching about your own failings. FU very much. I'm serious as a heart attack. Get off this site, and F yourself. Drown in your own misery.

I received it. I refuse to fill it out.Why do they need my personal info so they can see how many people live at my house? Oh, not enough let's add some immigrants to your household.

I received it. I refuse to fill it out.Why do they need my personal info so they can see how many people live at my house? Oh, not enough let's add some immigrants to your household.

Slow erosion of rights/liberties is a known phenomenon. Anyone paying attention will agree that it has been happening for decades. Sadly, just like with environmental erosion, the rate of erosion increases as each subsequent protective layer is lost. Eventually, the result is a runaway condition that is all but irreversible.

The problem is that the only people who care are those directly affected at any given point in time. The ACS is a great example. If the ACS hadn't shown up in your mailbox and you heard on the news that the Census Bureau was asking for truely personal/private information from hundreds of thousands of people, you would only be mildly interested at best. You certainly would not call/write/email a congressman. You certainly would not write the Census Bureau a cease and desist letter.

However, you are one of the hundreds of thousands that are directly affected. So, you did do something - you researched the ACS on the www and found this discussion. Now, see it through! Spend 15 minutes to write each of your congressmen an e-mail. It could be as simple as two sentences: "As a voting American community resident, I am strongly against the American Community Survey that is conducted by the US Census Bureau. Please do your part to abolish this egregious invasion into your and your constituents' personal lives."

Even with the ACS invasion, some are affected more than others (or at least it seems that way to some at the ACLU).

http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/interviews/census_letter.pdf

What's next? Will the data that is collected by the ACS be used to legislate reproduction? (It's done in China and it's done for good of the public and there are questions on the current ACS that directly relate to fertility. I know it is a backwards example, but, at some point, it takes a glaring intrusion to actually shock people into realizing that something is wrong with the overall picture.

It makes me angry, but mostly it makes me sad.

Another Resident's above suggestion is far more constructive than the rants of others. Thank you, and I mailed off handwritten notes to 2 senators and 2 congressmen using your 2 sentences as a boilerplate. My second letter to the local paper will be printed this weekend. It's very true, that unless you receive the survey, you really are not concerned. Thanks.

I wrote to our senators and congresspersons. This is the response I got. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) "I understand your concerns with the sensitivity of the questions asked by the Census Bureau. As you may know, the Census Bureau has developed the ACS in order to collect data every year rather than every 10 years. Much of the information derived from the census is helpful to plolciy makers in addressing the needs of American citizens. Althouugh this survey is required by law, your name is not mandatory, and the informatio you give is strictly confidential. Once you have completed this survey, you will not receive another for at least five years.

Response from Congressperson Heather Wilson (R-NM) The Census Bureau seeks a representative sample from communities across the country. You are right that the ACS requires responses from people who are selected to participate. All answers provided in the questionaire, however, remain confidential as required by federal law. The Census Bureau takes privacy very seriously, as do I. That is why there is up to a $250,000 fine, including a five year prison sentense for any person who violates confidentiality. I understand the reasons why you might hesitate to respond to the survey. Informaiont you provide to the Census Bureau must remail confidential, but I understand your reluctance to tell the government all this information in the first place. Again, thank you for contacting me.

GRRRRR!!!!!! They just don't get it. Or they haven't read the questions. I'm not done yet!!!

I see this as a battle on two fronts:

- Long term: We need to tell our representatives about how we feel when it comes to the govt sticking its nose where it doesn't belong.

- Short term: What methods are the ACS people using? The better we understand what they are up to, the more we can all help each other avoid them.

I got my first form, and exactly three weeks later got the second. Of course, neither of them have been returned. We should all continue to tell of our adventures with the ACS people. How many times did they call? What numbers are they calling from? When do they start coming to the door (the methods link from above seems to say they can call and visit during the same period?). Do they lay in wait? Do they contact neighbors for information? Do they drive or walk to the front door? And what about the "backup" interviewers?

I for one am looking forward to the harassment. I'll spell out my displeasure if caught (in the 2000 census they started staking out my residence and waited for me to get to the door). I'll hide. I'll connect my fax machine to my phone. I'll be disappointed if no one tries to visit (I'm already disappointed that the phone calls haven't even started!)

I read a story about a census lady who said she laid awake at night and "devised" methods to get to her last holdouts. I have a message for that woman - I lay awake at night too, thinking of ways to thwart your efforts. I have already spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the visits.

So keep your stories coming. I'll do the same.

Kudos to Mr. Whitaker for this site!

It's my pleasure! Speaking of which, _I_ just received my first ACS, addressed to "Resident"... waiting to see if they follow up...

After I received the ACS, I contacted my Senators. One responded with a packet entitled “Question and Answers: American Community Survey.” The other has not responded.

What I found interested in this 7-page question/answer packet was this question:

Q: “How do I benefit by answering the American Community Survey?

A: Federal agencies, states and communities say they do not have the up-to-date information they need to better understand community issues, respond to needs, and allocate programs and resources. A community leader said, “Guessing is always fun, but seldom effective.”

By responding to the American Community Survey questionnaire, you are helping your community establish community goals, identify community problems and solutions, locate facilities and programs, and measure the performance of programs.

The American Community Survey data are used by:

· Local governments for budgeting, evaluating programs, and planning for community development projects

· Community programs, such as those for the elderly, scout programs, libraries, churches, banks, hospitals, and other community organizations, to provide services to the community and to locate buildings, services, and programs.

· Transportation planners (using summarized journey-to-work information) to plan for peak volumes of traffic in order to reduce traffic congesting, plan for parking and develop strategies, such as carpooling programs and flexible work schedules. Decisions are made to build new roads or add capacity to existing roads; and develop transit systems, such as light rail or subways by projecting ridership.”

According to the ACS information, the one question that it cannot ask is about religion. Additionally, I believe there is still supposed to be a separation of church and state in this country (although that is difficult to tell under the current administration); therefore, the government should not be including “churches” in trying to sell the ACS to the public. Also, some of the above listed programs under the Community programs section are private organization—let them collect their own info. Why should a taxpayer funded, government enforced survey benefit private organizations/businesses?

After I received the ACS, I contacted my Senators. One responded with a packet entitled “Question and Answers: American Community Survey.” The other has not responded.

What I found interested in this 7-page question/answer packet was this question:

Q: “How do I benefit by answering the American Community Survey?

A: Federal agencies, states and communities say they do not have the up-to-date information they need to better understand community issues, respond to needs, and allocate programs and resources. A community leader said, “Guessing is always fun, but seldom effective.”

By responding to the American Community Survey questionnaire, you are helping your community establish community goals, identify community problems and solutions, locate facilities and programs, and measure the performance of programs.

The American Community Survey data are used by:

· Local governments for budgeting, evaluating programs, and planning for community development projects

· Community programs, such as those for the elderly, scout programs, libraries, churches, banks, hospitals, and other community organizations, to provide services to the community and to locate buildings, services, and programs.

· Transportation planners (using summarized journey-to-work information) to plan for peak volumes of traffic in order to reduce traffic congesting, plan for parking and develop strategies, such as carpooling programs and flexible work schedules. Decisions are made to build new roads or add capacity to existing roads; and develop transit systems, such as light rail or subways by projecting ridership.”

According to the ACS information, the one question that it cannot ask is about religion. Additionally, I believe there is still supposed to be a separation of church and state in this country (although that is difficult to tell under the current administration); therefore, the government should not be including “churches” in trying to sell the ACS to the public. Also, some of the above listed programs under the Community programs section are private organization—let them collect their own info. Why should a taxpayer funded, government enforced survey benefit private organizations/businesses?

From the Q & A packet, here is the question and answer about the ACS asking intrusive questions.

Q: “I feel that the American Community Survey is intrusive. Why do you have to ask such personal questions?”

A: “Ever question on the American Community Survey is required to manage or evaluate government programs or to conduct the survey. The questions on the American Community Survey questionnaire are essentially the same as those that have been asked as part of the decennial census. It is simply a change to collecting and updating the data annually, instead of once in 10 years at the time of the decennial census. For example through the American Community Survey:

· Income information makes it possible to compare the economic levels of different areas. Many federal and state programs use such data to distribute funds for community development.

· Military service information is used primarily by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to measure the needs of veterans and to evaluate veterans’ programs dealing with educations, employment, and health care.

· Responses to questions about income and housing are summarized into profiles that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development uses to assess the need for housing assistance for elderly, handicapped, and low-income homeowners.

· Information about age, race, Hispanic origin, and language spoken at home is used to determine bilingual election requirements under the Voting Rights Act.”

Now that they have justified their reasons for asking these intrusive questions, I guess we should all feel better about providing them with all the info. they demand. Yeah, right!

Received a response from Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) Here is what he had to say: "Thank you very much for contacting me regarding your concerns about the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey. I am glad you brought this matter to my attention. I have written to the Bureau of the Census and have asked them to address the issues you raised in your letter. They are looking into the situation, and I have asked them to respond directly to you. In addition, I will contact you if I receive any additional information relating to this subject."

This is laughable. I don't even think that our Senators and Congresspeople know that they are appropriating money for this horrible intrusion.

I won't give up the fight.

I received a survey. It will continue to collect dust. I have been beaten and abused by police for standing up for my rights; heckled by a tiny percentage of recent marathon runners for advertising my displeasure with this government (tho supported by 95% of the folks); intimidated (or so they'd hoped) by illiterates for speaking the truth, so this absurd piece of paper doesn't scare me.

If the budget for this program is $171 million, let's help them spend it.If we don't respond to the survey, then each American citizen will receive an average of 30 phone calls a month (making the bureau work evenings,weekends and holidays) and with no response to that tactic we'll then get 30 house visits a month (using gov't cars and gas money). Maybe we could use up all their budget money and they'll abandon the program!!!

http://www.census.gov/rodal/www/emply.html

If you want a part-time job, using your own vehicle, with the weight of the Fed'l. Gumment behind you, then the Census Bureau is for YOU as a Field Agent. Yes, you too can be a part of the entrenched bureaucracy, regardless of race, creed, or politics... all you have to be is a mindless and persistent worker willing to follow orders.

Other posters have laid the blame of the ACS on the current administration - el wrongo. It started long ago as a trickle and has evolved into a deluge, having been approved by those folks you voted for to represent you. We, the sheeple, the lemmings who follow the leaders who are advised by the career high-level GS wonks, are now the targets with case numbers. Fine, do your job, Field Agents, go ahead.... make my day: Fine ME. I want to make a Federal Case of it. It should make marvelous grist for TV and radio talk shows.

We all realize that unless the survey arrives at YOUR address, you really don't care! Well, it needs exposure. It needs the same media attention that Valerie Plame, Duke Cunningham, Katrina, Tom DeLay, Limbaugh, and Lewinski have received. So far, the investigative reporters have yawned and rolled their eyes at the ACS. Only until one of the ELITE press dudes or dudettes is on the RESIDENT list, will they become as irate and concerned as we, the case numbers, are. Raise hell, and refuse to capitulate, and stay the course.

I just finished writing to my Congressman (Frank Wolf R-VA). I was writing on a totally different matter (H.R. 9) until I got to the bottom of the Bill, which was just approved by the House Judicary Committee. Section eight strikes out the phrase "census data" and replaces it with "American Communist Survey" (Actually it's Community). I would like to share this letter with everyone on this blog and I would hope that each of you will write your own Congressman and Senators, at least about the ACS part.

==============================
Dear Congressman Wolf,

I am writing to you about H.R. 9 that just cleared the House Judiciary Committee. I urge you to vote against it as it now stands.

I have two problems with this bill:

1. I do not believe there should be a requirement for bilingual ballots. It is an extreme waste of tax payers money. My ancestors immigrated to the United States from Poland. They learned English, obtained their citizenship, and voted. No government organization printed anything in Polish to make it easier for them. I must agree with Congressman Lamar Smith, who said "If you are born in America, you should know English. If you are a naturalized citizen, you should have passed an English proficiency test." Why are we spending money and not giving immigrants a good reason to learn English?

2. You and I have disagreed on this subject before and I am willing to agree to disagree with you. Section 8 of H.R. 9 strikes out the words 'census data' and inserts the words 'American Community Survey'. I am opposed to the ACS because I do not think the U.S. Government is responsible enough to have that much data on any one individual. Our government is notorious for leaks and it comes from both parties. I know there are stiff penalties for leaking information but there is no mechanism to compensate the individual whose life can be ruined by such leaks. As I look at the information required, I would say My banker and/or Investment Broker has some of it, my Real Estate agent has some of it, the U.S. Government has some of it, and I have the rest. There is not one individual/entity who has all of it because the above organizations are not required to share such information. The U.S. Government can be my "Big Brother", just stay out of my room, because that's private.

Best Regards and May God Bless You,

-James W. Krupa-
===================================

If I get a response back from Congressman Wolf, I will share it with this community. Remember, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease", the more people that complain to their elected officials, the faster changes are made. Let's fight the good fight.

-Jim Krupa-

There is nothing new under the sun, said Solomon. Check out "The Domesday Book" -- Here we go again!

To wit, from Wikipedia: Domesday Book (also known as Domesday, or Book of Winchester), was the record of the great survey of England completed in 1086, executed for William the Conqueror, that was similar to a census by a government of today. William needed information about the country he had just conquered so he could administer it. Whilst spending the Christmas of 1085 in Gloucester, William "had deep speech with his counsellors and sent men all over England to each shire ... to find out ... what or how much each landholder had in land and livestock, and what it was worth." One of the main purposes of the survey was to find out who owned what so they could be taxed on it, and the judgment of the assessors was final -- whatever the book said about who owned the property, or what it was worth, was the law, and there was no appeal. When the book took the name "Domesday" (Middle English spelling of "Doomsday") in the 12th century, it was to emphasize its definitiveness and authority (the analogy refers to the Christian notion of a Last Judgement).

Do you think where it asks for a telephone number we should just write "ask the NSA"?

Irony is no longer "gotten".
Please stay simple.
I call the NSA for my messages.
Funny is not funny anymore.

I've put together a resource page regarding the American Community Survey which includes commentaries, news articles, and documents from various sources at:

http://www.checkpointusa.org/Census/Census.htm

Terry

Most of you are clueless.

I am a census employee and can certainly say that none of us care about your personal lives. It's simply data gathering, and it is anonymous. Your names, addresses, etc don't get linked to the data gathered. We just need some sort of name, whether real or make-believe, to reference each individual in the household, which helps to ensure one person isn't listed more than once. It doesn't matter what you call yourself; joe blow, joe pesci, goh, whatever. The system is automatically geared to transmit the data into a compiled profile of your community.

If the census didn't exist, the government would have to tap into administrative records for every single bit of data that they need in order to allocate funding to the appropriate places - guess who's money would pay for researching the records? YOURS. You better believe it costs a lot more to do that than just send forms for people to fill out themselves. One way or another the government needs its info; they can't just guess how many people in your neighborhood are disabled for community center purposes, they can't just guess what is causing traffic conjestion in your area, they can't just guess which children are eligible for medicaid, they can't just guess where to place an elementary school... it's all about numbers, and that is all you people are to the government, they don't give a rats ass about you personally, and if for some crazy reason they did, what is preventing them from looking you up anyway?

Just do it...

Come on Vic:

These people do have a clue. In fact, they have actual knowledge.

They know that census employees are not the ones who would benefit from abusing the survey. They know that the census employees could give a rat's ass about them personally. They may show their frustration by bashing the census employees, but they know that congress is the real culprit.

They know that no matter how often and no matter with how much conviction they're told that the survey is held in strictest confidence, there are no guarantees. They know without a doubt that the survey could be used for a plethora of very objectionable purposes and that history shows that when the opportunity exists to abuse power, power is eventually abused.

They know that knowledge is power and that the data collected by the survey delivers that knowledge/power somewhere it does not belong. They know that the the survey is a totally unecessary invasion of privacy. They know that all relevant data is readily available to those who would be applying for the programs that are supposedly administered based on the survey data. You see, communities know when they need help from the fed. They then apply for that help. In the application, they provided the data that supports the application. It is a system that has worked for 230 years in this country. The reason the fed doesn't like that system is that they are left in a "need to know" lurch. What the fed doesn't understand, is that is where they belong.

They know that the fed may choose to "investigate" them regardless of their choice to complete the survey or not. They know that it happens routinely and it is very likely that they have already been investigated to some degree.

They know that they have the right to be displeased and that they have the right to express that displeasure. They know that they have the right to question that which does not seem consistent with the principles that the country's founders worked so hard to build upon.

It's funny that you suggest they do not have a clue. The clues are glaring and they all lead to the same conclusion. There are a small number of programs that are always cited as examples of why the survey is important (schools, help for the disabled, roads, etc). None of those programs are reliant on the most personal of the requested data (fertility, income, race, etc).

The survey is the wrong way to promote programs. People know when they need to ask for help. Spend the money on educating local agencies on how to apply for the help. Once the initial education is completed, then shift more of the funding to the actual programs. Don't waste $200,000,000 per year doing something that is so objectionable to so many.

Vic,

"Another resident" is dead on with his or her analysis.

Your posting reveals the typical contempt big government bureaucrats and politicians have for the citizens of this country. Big mistake.

BTW, I worked for the federal government for 15 years, until I couldn't stand the thought anymore that I was wasting my life in fruitless, non-productive activities. Leaving federal service was one of the best decisions I ever made.

While there a few good federal workers, I consider most of them to be on white collar welfare. I put you in that category.

Terry,

Your site is superb!
[http://www.checkpointusa.org/Census/Census.htm]

It's easy to see why this doesn't go away, or why there is no outraged response from congress. Lots of jobs, contracts, etc., are dependent on it; any attempt to stop it would be met with big guns from well-heeled lobbyists.

I still feel that it is an attempt to get personal information from people who 'fly under the radar' and don't otherwise participate in demographic surveying.

Published: May 16, 2006

Re: “Census questions benefit communities” (letter, April 26)

My letter published April 19 concerned the mandatory answers to the intrusive questions on the American Community Survey. The Census Bureau’s rebuttal letter of April 26 was a bureaucratic justification for a $170 million-a-year program that far exceeds the purpose of the census.

More accurate information is gathered and funded by private industry. Our taxes are wasted to advise real estate developers where to locate subdivisions and apartments and malls and Home Depots and Wal-Marts.

The answers regarding drive time to work can be provided by all the traffic cameras to determine flow and congestion. Property values and taxes are available from community assessors. Common sense dictates that senior citizens should not have to climb stairs and children should not spend hours on a bus to attend school.

The Census Bureau assures us that all personal information is strictly confidential in its database. Recently, hundreds of thousands of citizens had their profiles hacked from secure sites, and the security details of Air Force One were mistakenly released. Once personal information is public, there is no way to retrieve and secure it.

This survey is a well-kept secret to those who have not received it and an outrageous invasion of privacy to those who have. No one should comply, and every elected official who approved it should be ashamed and voted out of office.

I simply refuse to respond other than name, rank and serial number.

The phone calls finally have stopped. I'm still on the lookout for door bell ringers. So far have not seen any. It's been "All Quiet on the Western Front" for about two weeks now!
I wrote to my Congressman and both US Senators expressing my outrage at the intrusiveness of the questions, the use of the data and the threat of a serious fine if you don't comply.
The fact that these questions are asked under threat makes a statement on it's own. Most Americans who do answer, do it under fear of their government. What country is this again????

I'm rather disappointed.....it's been over 7 weeks since the first packet arrived, and still no phone calls! No knocks on the door either. I refuse to answer any questions, but I would like to see at least a bit of a fight from the census robots....I've been looking forward to being able to voice my displeasure to the census drones. What gives? Do I just have to wait a little longer?

We received our second ACS in the mail yesterday. It has been exactly 3 weeks since they mailed the first one. The cover letter in this one lists all the usual justification as to why we must respond--plus their citation that the answering all the questions is required under law. The letter also explained that phone calls and visit may follow if we do not answer the ACS.

It has been over one week since I sent a detailed e-mail with the link to the ACS to each of our senators and our congressman asking them to respond to our concerns. We have not heard back from any of them.

So let's see if I have this straight.

If and when I get one of these ACS forms in the mail, all I have to do is respond "refuse to answer" to any or all of the questions and I am legally compliant?

Sounds simple enough to me. I can't imagine taking the time to play "Cat and Mouse" with the government workers in an attempt to drain the program of funding, as attractive as alternative as that might be philosophically.

We are all supposed to be so assured that the personal information that the censure bureau demands in the ACS will be protected. Well, first we have the phone record/NSA controversy, and now 26.5 million veterans have had their personal data stolen see:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/22/ap/politics/mainD8HP39HG0.shtml

Yes, we should all trust the government.

I'm not sure I wouldn't be more comfortable with the thieves that stole that computer having those records than the Federal Government.

Afterall, the thieves are unlikely to cook up programs that cost billions or trillions and fail using that data. They'll justr rip us off other ways.

If our Census Bureau employees want to know why there is all this distruct of the Federal Government, they should look at what has happened to Social Security and the fundamental dishonesty that underlies the whole program.

Giving the goverment more information -- in which they have greater confidence -- is like Leroy feeding that plant in "Little Shop of Horrors".

Anyone who gives any racial data to the Federal Government that enables even more race-based policies needs to have their head examined.

Anybody that thinks selling of this detailed information to Walmart or banks or whoever is to our benefit as citizens is living in a fantasy land. Let these company's gather their own data.

suinmd wrote above: "Let these companies gather their own data."

THEY DO. Several weeks ago, I was waiting for a client's phone call, and received a "800 number" call on the caller ID and I answered it. It was a phone survey, which I rarely submit to, but I did since I was expecting another call.... and I told the lady. She began asking me shopping questions which after 5 minutes zeroed-in on SEARS, SAM'S CLUB, HOME DEPOT, LOEW'S, and ACE HARDWARE. We are doing some major renovations and repairs, so I've been to some of these places recently, and others. After 15 mins, my client called and I broke off the survey to answer. The next day, the survey called me back to continue.... for 15 more minutes!!!! It was DETAILED, but NOT personal... if you get my drift. I don't care if you know I prefer CRAFTSMAN tools, but buy lumber from a local company rather than a large chain for a few dollars more. She asked two [count'em] (2) questions that I would not answer.... my income range and home value. After 30 minutes, 2 personal queries. Hell, the ACS is 30 minutes full of personal queries. Speaking of Hell, that's an appropriate spot for the ACS and its minions.

Americans, we are under attack from Muslim wackos, illegals coming to work hard, a Federal government that is too big for its britches, and politicians who seek reelection. Laws, laws, we don't need no steenking new laws! Sheriff Joe Arpaio is enforcing the laws on the books... the rest of America should do the same. Hey! And since I'm now breaking the law for refusing to answer any questions on the ACS, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, you sorry government grunts. Let's make this a Federal Case. Shine some light on this abomination. Put it out there for everyone to see. If I'm wrong, I'll admit it. Otherwise, STICK IT... where the sun don't shine. Amen... and Amen.

After 3 e-mail to my Senator, I finally received this lame response:

"Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I
apologize for the delay in my response. I appreciate hearing from
you and learning your thoughts this issue.

The American Community Survey (ACS) was first mailed
to a sample of American households in January 2005. The data
collected in the survey is similar to the information collected in the
long form version of the 2000 Census but collected by means of a
smaller questionnaire.

The U.S. Census Bureau intends to use the ACS to give
communities a faster and more accurate look at the demographic,
socio-economic, and housing data in order to meet the needs of
changing communities in a quicker fashion than the older long
form method collected once every 10 years. Roughly $200 billion
in federal funds are awarded on a yearly basis based upon census
figures, and the receipt of these funds depends solely on accurate
population data.

I also appreciate your concerns regarding privacy and the
census. Census forms are treated with utmost confidentiality. The
Census Bureau is required to keep personal information
confidential under Title 13 of the US Code. This law forbids the
Census Bureau from sharing specific information about individuals
with any other government agency for 72 years after each census."

I am well aware of everything he wrote. It is the same stuff the Census Bureau puts out. I wrote 3 detailed e-mails explaining that the ACS was intrusive and asked how he would like to answer these questions about every member of his household. I included links to the ACS and asked him to carefully read each question. I doubt that he did. I included the link that documented the technique the Census Bureau used to get people to answer all the questions.

I asked for more than just a form letter response, which is exactly what I received. I suppose some aide typed out that idiotic e-mail response. We are supposed to turn over our personal information, but the people who allowed the financing for the ACS can't even acknowledge our concerns.

Good thing this guy is running for re-election.

By the way, I don't care that I will be dead in 72 years; I still don't want my personal info. out there.

I must admit, just a citizen, that my Senator answered my letter point by point.... lamely, but not a form letter. I hope someone decent runs against him next time. In fact, I'm considering a run.... I have enough dirt in my background to qualify. Now if I could just be more two-faced!

broadway,

The really sad thing is that my other Senator and my Congressman also wrote me a form letter and each included a booklet from the Census Bureau. They just responded sooner than this final Senator. I did have to call my Congressman's office twice to get a form letter out of his staff.

So now all three of them have had their staff members respond with form letters and Census Bureau propaganda.

However, after receiving the form letters, I e-mailed them the first two back (twice now) asking them to please address my concerns. I haven't heard back from either of them. By the way, one of my Senators is gearing up to run for president--not the one whose e-mail response I just posted above.

Check out who supports this thing. It's every lobbyist and special interest group on K Street. They are all fighting for either "free" marketing data like Wal-Mart, or an opportunity to meddle more in your life with programs that benefit no one except their constituents.

Government drones like Vic assume that if Congress passes a law, it's actually a good thing. We all know that that the Government is the captive of these special interest groups filled with politicians cramming their freezers with cash.

Census Chief Prewitt, trying to explain the 65% Census response rate in 2000, said that much of the resistance to the Census was due to a citizenry that saw governement as not representing their interests. No kidding!

But they had an answer to this. Let's make the ACS "mandatory". Let's borrow the Census law to cover this survey and we will bully and intimidate and threaten people into responding. We will never admit that they can "refuse to answer" unless we are pressed to the wall. We will make $100 fines look like $5,000 fines, even though we admittedly have no capability to enforce this and even though we know that as soon as we did the newspapers would shed some light on this and create a public firestorm.

Almost the most galling of this is that they didn't have to make this "mandatory" and attempt to force people into responding. In the GAO report on ACS they admit that they did this to save money. They estimated it would cost another $30 million to make it voluntary. Instead they thought they could bluff, intimidate and bully people into responding. It's disgraceful. It's heavy handed and dishonest. (Just "Google" this GAO report on ACS and you'll see the facts.)

The American Community Survey is the Federal Government at its least attractive. Drunk with power and feeling that its the citizens that serve the Government and not vice versa. Trying to be even more efficient at giving away $200 Billion dollars of taxpayer's money and threatening people with prosecution if they don't help.

They are pretty obviously counting on the fact that because this is a sample they can fly beneath the radar of public opinion.

But as soon as enough people become aware of this and understand how it is being implemented, this is going to be put to a halt.

They aren't going to fine or prosecute anyone. They are too screwed up. They can't control the borders, they can't deliver the mail efficiently, they can't run a railroad (AMTRAK), and they can't respond to emergencies

What they are able to do is collect taxes and give the $200 Billion away. They just want to intimidate the citizenry into allowing them to do this more efficiently. The whole thing is sordid.

Keep putting sand in the gears of this thing. Refuse to cooperate. Raise the issue to your representatives, although don't look for much help there unless you are a K Street lobbyist.

Talk to your friends and get them to refuse to submit also.

And pray for snow in DC during the winter and US Govenment shut downs. Its one less day that people like Vic will be at work thinking of ways to make their lives simpler and our lives full of more and more and more government.

I've done soem additional research and it appears that the "Madatory" threat is an empty one.

Only 54.1% of American residences that received the Long Form in 2000 returned the Census. That means 45.9% did not. The same $100 penalty was in place for failing to respond and $500 for giving false info. How many people were prosecuted or fined. ZERO!!!!!! Not a singel one.

33% of all household did not respond to the long or the short form 2000 Census. Only 67% eventually did. How many people were prosecuted or fined. Again the same answer ... ZERO, NONE, NADA, ZILCH.

Part of the problem is that the Census Burueau either will not or cannot share information with other US Agencies, like the FBI or Federal Marchall's Service. And the Census Bureau doesn't have any enforcement capabilities. So no one is ever going to be prosecuted or fined or anyhting.

This is a complete farce. An empty and meaningless threat. The lion has no teeth or claws.

You can refuse to participate in the ACS with impugnity.

They should have made it voluntary.

You can see Response Rate Info for the 2000 Census at
http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/response/2000response.html

I've done some additional research and it appears that the "Madatory" threat is an empty one.

Only 54.1% of American residences that received the Long Form in 2000 returned the Census. That means 45.9% did not. The same $100 penalty was in place for failing to respond and $500 for giving false info. How many people were prosecuted or fined. ZERO!!!!!! Not a single one.

33% of all household did not respond to the long or the short form 2000 Census. Only 67% eventually did. How many people were prosecuted or fined. Again the same answer ... ZERO, NONE, NADA, ZILCH.

Part of the problem is that the Census Burueau either will not or cannot share information with other US Agencies, like the FBI or Federal Marchall's Service. And the Census Bureau doesn't have any enforcement capabilities. So no one is ever going to be prosecuted or fined or anyhting.

This is a complete farce. An empty and meaningless threat. The lion has no teeth or claws.

You can refuse to participate in the ACS with impugnity.

They should have made it voluntary.

You can see Response Rate Info for the 2000 Census at
http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/response/2000response.html

I read every post here as I received the ACS recently. Thanks to all that posted!

I would like to think the survey is beneficial, but I just don't trust ole Uncle Sammy. As I write this, the wall behind me has a pattern repeated over and over: Trust is earned!

They provide some statistical information for free, but can compile specific data requests for a fee?

So, I spend 10-30 minutes answering questions for free and then the gummint turns right around and sells it? I know... no names are used and such.

Do you think the NSA might have access to this data?

hmm so i read all this and came up with a genius. i filled the whole thing out then super glued the pages shut and envelope just my two cents... good luck to all

Hmmmm so i read all this and came up with a genius idea.I filled the whole thing out then super glued the pages shut and envelope just my two cents... good luck to all

Hmmmm so i read all this and came up with a genius idea.I filled the whole thing out then super glued the pages shut and envelope just my two cents... good luck to all

Why the Census Bureau will never prosecute a single person for failing to respond.

Not only would this cost a fortune -- and cost is the real reason they are saying this is "mandatory" but they are afraid they will provoke a lot more visibility and citizen resistance, and they think they could very easily lose their case in the courts.

They are stretching the laws that govern the actual Census a long way to cover the American Community Survey which obviously isn't the 10 year Census.

I got tghe folowing off the net and it was written by David Kopel of the Cato Institute. It explains what happen in Germany in the 1980's.

"The Census Bureau has shied away from legal confrontations over its extensive, collection of personal information. The penalty for refusing to answer the census is only $100, and false answers, bring a penalty of only $500. Yet the bureau did not prosecute a single nonrespondent in 1980.

Perhaps the Census Bureau is afraid of what courts would do with a census case. In West Germany in the early 1980s, a census boycott and then a court injunction delayed the census for several years. When Germany's highest court finally heard the case, it ruled that many citizens could refuse to answer many census questions such as those about place of employment number of automobiles, health and income.

In the United States those questions still must be answered on the long census form, but the bureau steers clear of a court test of their legality. Homeless people, recent immigrants and people with an old-fashioned skepticism about big government probably will continue to resist a government agency that has turned itself into a for-profit adjunct of the credit bureaus."

Be a real patriot.... Boycott the American Community Survey