The worker harassed him and told him he had to answer the question or he would be in trouble with the police. One of the three enumerators did canvass my neighbors and got hold of one of them, who tried to call me and advised the census people were looking for me (I did not return the voicemail). Just one question, what could the $1 billion could have been spent on other than conducting a poll? I also, as many of you, returned my census form (as I should and as the Constitution requires) but this has gone so far over the line that it's ridiculous. Well it's now the middle of July and another census worker left her callback info on the door and has since started calling the number on the "for sale" sign at the property. The two plaintiffs contest that unlike the 10-year Census, the American Community Survey is posed to a sample of a few million households each year, and those who refuse to answer the questionnaire are subject to fines of up to $5,000 per question. The case contends that the federal Census Bureau lacks the statutory and constitutional authority to force the plaintiffs and proposedclass membersto answer the American Community Surveys detailed, intrusive questions., [The plaintiffs] have in the past and will continue in the future to answer the ten-year Census, the suit states. We haven't been bothered since. Matthew J. Holian, "Data and the American Dream: Contemporary Social Controversies and the American Community Survey" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021) (Podcast Episode) Movies, TV, Celebs, and more. After spending almost an hour answering questions the first time the census take came to my house, they start calling me on Sunday afternoon -- enough is enough! Moreover, Title 13 of the U.S. Code allows for monetary penalties only when the ACS's inquiries are within the scope of questions included in the complete census, and only if the Secretary has Do they ever stop with this? No one from the Census has ever said they would come back with the sheriff - the sheriff would simply laugh at them if they ever asked. I will report her actions to our manager and possibly to her supervisor. The law in Title 13 exists solely for the purpose of being able to print the treat on the forms and to use to intimidate scared grandmothers. Any illegal can purchase your number for any amount of money. Uncle Sam gets my money but what happens in my home stays in my home. The survey is clearly an invasion of privacy, and any attempts of the ACS to pursue a fine for failure to submit the survey should be challenged in a court of law on unconstitutional and invasion of privacy grounds. The reality appears to be that recipients can refuse to comply. It can't be done if the government is a complex, dishonest mess. Let me get this straight: we cannot ask an illegal alien for papers because of racial profiling but we can try to force american citizens to fill out the ACS which has profiling information in every question? He was shocked and said it was required by law. The American Community Survey sends around a questionnaire with 40 different items, asking such things as whether a person is receiving disability benefits (number 16) and how many vehicles. The times they are a-changing. I got another call tonight, but was not here to take the call. Act drunk and make like you're going to be sick on them or pretend to pass out. The ACS program provides estimates annually for all states and for all medium and large cities . Person 22. Bunch of whiners who think the world revolves around their little lives and have paranoid conspiracy theories from watching too much TV. They have to get past the doorman first. [6] https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about.html. The bad thing is, this is information that is collected by the government. The Nazis were just doing their jobs, also, "anon75478" but that doesn't make it right. They haven't gone so far as to threaten, but I can sense that their tone is getting more firm. At the very least, if you are going to refuse to do the census, try to be respectful, as some of the census workers are former military. I am glad I found this site. I asked her if she had related my story to the supervisor. It's hard to believe that a patriotic, high school social studies teacher, and law-abiding citizen, such as myself, could be compelled to suggest such civil disobedience--but here I am, and hear me loud. I still am in my boxers since I just woke up and surely was not prepared for a slew of questions from this guy who was getting paid my tax money to invade my privacy). Year: 2021. I will pay the fine if that is what it takes. 7) Get the left wing indoctrination crew out of our education systems. I am so thankful for this website! Yet, under the direct tax formula imposed by the Constitution, both states would be required to pay the same amount. They would have to take you to court, and they haven't done that EVER. I gave them my name and not much more. And when I'm asked what my address is, I'll respond with, "I pay taxes, look it up.". We need to stick up for our rights. I left all of the other personal and private questions in the survey unanswered. This means your answers can and most likely will be linked to you even if it is forbidden by law to share your individual responses. I have yet to fill one out. Without the enjoyment of this right, all others would lose half their value. [The bracketed words added for clarification], Interstate Commerce Commission v. Brimson, 154 U.S. 447, 479 (May 26, 1894). So why would the government hire a company such as ACS to dig into our lives? Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, you can be fined up to $100 for refusing to complete a census form and $500 for answering questions falsely. The census taker left a note me a note today. This is just crap. The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to provide communities with demographic, social, economic, and housing data every year. My hubby has served this country for over 30 years, we are about to retire and what a lovely retirement gift we are receiving (NOT)!.Harassment, compliments of the government, just lovely (NOT). The efforts to secure a response to ACS seem fairly on the mark, but the point that seems most lost here is that households chosen for ACS are just part of a statistical sample that is representative of the country as a whole. I had missed several calls but the pattern seemed to be that I got them every other day. They also made an unannounced visit. I would rather pay the $100 fine to keep my freedom in check. Lock I have received two forms, and have no intention of responding. Remember, they work for you, not the other way around. I filed my taxes, all the information they feel they need to know is there. This is a bunch of crap. This person has stopped to "chat" with the neighbors, asking who lives in our home, how many people, what their names are, what our schedules are. Miss. Why am I in the unlucky 2.5%? [18] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/MortgageSMOC.pdf. What do you really think they use the information for? "The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides vital information on a yearly basis about our nation and its people. I have therefore included both Article 1 section 2 of the US Constitution, and the US Supreme courts decisions in upholding the right to privacy. Now let me get my cell phone fully charged and ready for the doorbell to ring. I ignored her as I was outside with my kids. Anything that you answer can be used for this book, which is usually for your town, county, etc. this implies you have obligations to help the government count but not to answer every intrusive question they might ask. Then I received the long form, ignored it and received another long form which I also ignored. Last census I was harassed for a while because I refused to answer the long winded privacy invading Community Survey. the government was never constitutionally mandated to provide funds. We don't have a home phone but I imagine the reps will get hold of our cell numbers? "Popcorn? my wife and I pay our taxes and feel if that's not enough for our government, then "Too bad Charlie". As an employee of The U.S. Census Bureau,I too share privacy concerns,but I must say there's a tremendous amount of misinformation and paranoia here. It's supposed to be confidential. Q: Is this an unconstitutional invasion of privacy? Thank you, fellow Americans! Section (d) authorizes every 10 years starting 1985. I guarantee it will be a short and polite conversation and the last time they ever bother you! When I said I would not be probed by his questions from the government and continued by saying that I meant no disrespect to him; however, I hate what the government is trying to do to us he responded. When I got the second form I mailed it back stating I filled it out already and do not need to fill it out again. I noticed that if I left the note on the door, they would sometimes pull up, then just drive off. For another 22, the information is used to aid advocacy groups, and in nine of those cases, the Census Bureau states that the responses will be used by advocacy groups to advocate for policies that benefit their groups, including advocacy based on age,[23] race,[24] sex,[25] and marital status.[26]. The Census Bureau claims that it has the right to impose a $5,000 fine for failure to fill out the American Community Survey, but online sources suggest that they have never actually ever used this "power" - possibly due to the lawsuit that might result. ), so did my 80 year old mother in another state. To complete it by mail, simply. Interesting. It's called the American Community Survey, participation is mandatory . So be it. Census workers are trying to do a decent job like everyone should try to do. And how do they fine/prosecute a person if "answers" cannot be used in court or obtained by law enforcement? ), vacated sub nom. It seems what is good for the goose is not good for the gander. About one week later, I was ready to mail in my form. This tool helps you do just that. Census Bureau Table. Should all of us contact our local media so that everyone knows about ACS? About a month ago (August 2010) I received my first ACS phone inquiry. They aren't the enemy, so I don't act hostile towards them, but it still unnerves me how they got my cell phone number. If you are contacted by Census Bureau employees, either by telephone or in person, demanding your response, you can assert your rights by politely, but firmly, informing the employee that you believe the ACS is an improper invasion of your privacy, that you do not intend to respond and that they should not attempt to contact you again. I told her I wasn't interested. Just slam the phone or door on them. You aren't getting mine! It is most effective when analysts can see the relationship between various types of criminal incidents (e.g., homicides, drug dealing) and neighborhood characteristics (risk factors such as poverty, population density, and vacant housing), pinpoint where crimes are most likely to occur (hot spots), and focus police resources accordingly.[27] The Brookings Institute notes that because the ACS provides data every year, rather than every ten years, crime mapping is more effective and cheaper. LOL. Thanks! Why all the bad-mouthing of these people who are taking these jobs to support their families in these hard economic times? The calls/personal visits stopped. this is a new one. The first cluster of COVID-19 cases emerged out of Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. Me and my family were properly counted on census day 2010. I also refused the deputy entrance for the purpose of a census and said that I wished them both to leave as I would not comply. Soundbar sold separately. This is how those rich people are rich, those "powerful" people are "powerful", and those happy people are happy. i get home don't even get out of the parking lot, she pulls up. I was going to fill it out and check "race: other, American" but now I just don't even want to fill the dang thing out. And it is supposed to be maintained private otherwise the census worker can go to prison or be fined or both. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, nor a paranoid, but goodness knows the intrusiveness of these questions can certainly drive a person to it. Daily calls (five or six) two invasive questionnaires mailed, and now intimidating and threatening phone calls. In other contexts, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that citizens have no obligation to answer questions posed by the government and are free to refuse to do so. I'm sorry you feel the need to spread such fear and lies. Shame on you! These people can often stop this kind of activity. I'm not sure I'd complete it though. I had the misfortune of getting an ACS survey a few years ago. Measuring America's People, Places, and Economy. I sure am glad I ran across this site. Just throw the census form in the trash. And I say that is the point -- I do not want my state or city dependent on big government this is socialism and pork barrel out of control government spending. That's the truth. . This appears to be the same scenario as the ACS. You can't actually expect all of the decisions to be made accurately and take into account the needs at the consumer level based on a head county every 10 years. I've received two of these obscene forms and I do not to answer any of the questions printed thereon. Standing up for my rights in L.A. Why not just give em complete BS answers. How many is all they need to know. You'd better hope that you are aren't one of the unlucky three. But I will not tell you when I leave for work and about the medical condition of my relatives. Last Updated on January 20, 2023 4:42 PM, subject to fines of up to $5,000 per question. Relentless! Yes we find the government annoying, but we could turn things around to our advantage and make things fun. This info is also for the number of State Senators and Congressmen. On saturday he returned but I did not answer the door. It's been an easy decision for me. She finally walked away but now I am sleepless as a result of this because I am not certain as to what will happen next. What the hell are you mad about? Since 2005, the Census Bureau has administered a set of probing questions to a large random sample of Americans each year. I asked them what does my birthday have to do with enumeration count of my household? If a person of the same sex comes to your door, act like you're interested in them and start touching their hair. After they fill out the form, I seriously doubt they think about you ever again. People, what is so terrible about giving out the number of people who live in your household? Don't fill out anything if you don't want the public to know some of your private information. First of all, get a clue! Are you kidding? Can I file a harassment claim somewhere? I could not believe my eyes! When I returned home he was scared and thought he did something wrong. The Census Bureau boasts a 97% response rate to the survey via these methods,[34] but critics argue this constitutes harassment. Are you willing to roll the dice that this information will remain protected? Quite honestly, you are not that important. She left me with a notice of visit with her name and I suppose her personal phone number. The SS Admin does not care. Follow your happiness and I promise the universe will be there for you: subtle, slow, obvious or quick it will respond to your emotions. I informed the caller, "Eric", that I did not wish to participate in the survey and to please remove my name from their phone list and mailing list. They are just being bullies. I will give the information to those who really need it to improve my neighborhood, city, county, etc. As a result, they are subject to monetary fines for doing nothing more than keeping the private details of their lives private.. I am not telling them anything. [5] Unlike the decennial census which is sent out every 10 years, the ACS is an ongoing survey that is sent out on a continuous basis by the Census Bureau.[6]. They don't want the constituents who elected them to be harassed. I'm glad they didn't refuse to answer such personal questions as name and age. That wasn't supposed to be able to happen. Q: What is the American Community Survey (ACS)? Not more that 10 minutes ago, a person came to the door unannounced, said she was from the ACS, and did I have a few minutes to fill out the survey. What you guys who love to quote the constitution fail to take into account are all of the amendments the government has quietly put in since it was first written. Go Obama Care. [22] http://www.census.gov/acs/www/about/why-we-ask-each-question/. In the case of direct taxes (a direct tax is a tax on property based on ownership), this provision requires Congress to apportion the tax among the individual States based on population. I've since received a second one, and had one call this week(which I did not answer). I told them they were barking up the wrong tree and they need to follow the U.S. Now they called again and wanted to ask these questions over the phone. I responded to the ACS. I told this supervisor that no one came by my home. About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home would sell for if it were for sale? I even downloaded a sound bite that said this number has been disconnected and is no longer in service. And then I get this BS from a government agency? answers to this "anonymous" survey, my information would necessarily be identifiable, perhaps through my address, for at least some period of time. I wonder how many of those opposing census questions will annually volunteer much more private information and their personal wealth to a real evil unconstitutional organization - the IRS. Empowered by Congress with greater powers to amass information about citizens, the Census Bureau introduced the ACS in 2005.
