I am glad I am not the only one who tossed the thing in the garbage. By Daniel T. Weaver While liberals celebrated the Trump administration's decision to not include a citizenship question on the 2020 census, they are oblivious to the fact that the question is included in the American Community Survey, what we used to call the census long form. (address, city, county, state, zip). So glad I found this site. Perfect. 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) Census region x Metro/Non-metro 2020 CPS March Supplement Volunteerism 2021 American Trends Panel Annual Profile Survey/2019 CPS Volunteering & Civic Life Supplement . Nobody has ever been fined for refusing to cooperate with any Census request, even the 10 year short form. [4] The number of seats in the House of Representatives was established by Congress at 435 in 1911 and capped at that amount by Congress in 1929, although the number was temporarily increased to 437 in 1959 when Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union. I vote, and if the politicians do not honor their promises when they get into office, I'm sure Uncle Sam couldn't care less about what my area needs either. With a president and congress that constantly lie about everything, how do they expect me to believe that the information on the Census form is truly confidential? It feels good to see so many of you willing to take a stand against this invasion of privacy. I live in upstate New York and was just threatened that the census taker would be back with the police and his supervisor because I refused to fill out the form. The judge summarized that general statements made by the Census Bureau with regard to, say, the support of federal law or that taking the ACS was required by U.S. law fall short of the benchmark necessary to constitute a specific threat of prosecution. I ignored all of this due to what I had been through. About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home would sell for if it were for sale? Maybe you'll get a new hospital! 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. Census Bureau Table. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Mansoura University institutional research board with approval number: R.22.03.1639. I guess the fear that they may be prosecuted for trespassing on private property wasn't worth the questionnaire. The plan to use lap tops to do the door to door counts for non-respondents has already been junked. A man was arrested and charged with attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft after his bag triggered an alarm at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania, US . I first starting receiving these things by mail like 4 years ago. Constitution of the United States of America. Just answer those ten questions, and get on with your life! And when I'm asked what my address is, I'll respond with, "I pay taxes, look it up.". No reason to be rude to someone doing their job. Do they ever stop with this? I read him the 4th Amendment which states, "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." Any discrepancies, intentional or not, could result in an IRS audit of your returns. They have no right to know. When are they going to get the hint and stop? I live in a high-rise condo building (where I rent), so let them come get me. About a month ago (August 2010) I received my first ACS phone inquiry. Miss. Don't know if it's the "bureau" calling or not, but I'm ready for them. I was in my PJs and answered the door, thinking it was a neighbor. If it was a problem, she then had my phone number; it wasn't blocked. I hope you folks do not live in my county or state. There were laws in place to protect those people and they were not protected. But, (knock on wood again) no visits ever occurred (yet that is). My family has found past census information to be very valuable in genealogical research. What a bunch of paranoid people you are. What is the North American Industry Classification System? They are so proud to be counted among the blessed. This is crazy -- why is this still going on and why aren't people doing something about it? We didn't send in the regular 2010 one and they came by the house. I just had hip surgery, when the buzzer rang this evening (Saturday 6:30p.m.) BTW my survey went into the guinea pig cage, it will come out the same it went in: crap. Fine, sue me, I dare you, but stop holding me hostage in my home. I grabbed the handle and slammed the door shut. I received this census (which to clarify is not the 10 year one, we filled that one out). This is out of control. So, my husband filled it out with the lady standing at my front door. 1. 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. But at the same time, phones are not supposed to be tapped. I too am grateful for this site. Last night I found an envelope on my door from a census taker. This data is critical for government programs, policies, and decision-making. It doesn't do any good to argue with the census taker. The slippery slope stops here. We are entitled to "Quiet Enjoyment" of our homes. Me and my family were properly counted on census day 2010. (These facilities will be contacted directly for data on sexual victimization.) I see on the accompanying letter that the destination of the form was intended to be the address only and not a particular person. The daily number of cyber attacks on our federal government and access by illicit state and non-state actors is eye watering. So this is where all of your Constitution quotes mess up. After they fill out the form, I seriously doubt they think about you ever again. He harassed her a little and had fun with it and she was on her way. In July, I started to receive visits. That includes visitors then which would not be falsifying info. This is plain wrong! They left before they arrived. They can have my age, race, sex and opinion about corruption in government. The Institutes mission is twofold: to provide legal services in the defense of civil liberties and to educate the public on important issues affecting their constitutional freedoms. We randomly sample addresses in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This info is also for the number of State Senators and Congressmen. As she walked away, I told her that her husband Ray just called and wanted her to stop at the store at a location next to her house. You need to stop peering in my window and you need to leave right away." There should be a law against this. The percentage of household income spent on rent plus utilities increased from 2019 to 2021 and renters with the lowest annual income saw the largest spikes. These vermin can pound sand. However, while The Rutherford Institute has been made aware of Census Bureau agents engaging in harassing tactics and threatening behavior, to date, we are unaware of the Census Bureau having levied any financial penalties for non-compliance with the ACS. My son answered the door, the guy announced who he was with. Amazing. Your response is required by law. American Community Survey questionnaire. I have a right to not be harassed in my home. NO ONE EVER GETS IN TROUBLE for refusing to answer. 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. I don't see what the big deal is. As said by Mr. Justice Field in Re Pacific Ry. The data bank, like any data bank, runs the risk of being hacked or accessed by dishonest parties. A: If you receive notice that you have been targeted to respond to the ACS and you desire to assert your right of privacy, you can voice those objections and your intent not to respond to the ACS by writing a letter to the Census Bureau. The American Community Survey (ACS) helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. I went through this myself and I read a Web forum that spanned several years with posters who had received the form, and what they had experienced. Actual enumeration is required. i wish i still had my camcorder so i could do like the person said. A sympathizer to the Census said it was to help the government to function. They think that if they exert a little authority, show you a badge, write a stern letter, that you will be too afraid to tell them that they have no right to subject you to this. I shall be contacting my Senator and Congressman to voice my alarm and concern on another gross infringement of my Civil Liberties. Others have reminded me that this information about me is posted out in the paper world, cyber world, etc., somewhere. So glad I came across this website while researching whether or not I had to respond to this stupid ACS I just got in the mail. My blood pressure is through the roof right now after reading this survey. I asked my accountant about them and he recommended not to fill them out. It is so obvious that the same person keeps responding over and over here. Mind you, no return by date was given. I made the mistake of putting my phone number on the form. But the Supreme Court is not supreme over the other branches of government; it is supreme only over lower federal courts. I do not think I should have to give out that kind of information. Before the second visit, I posted a 'no trespassing' sign at the bottom of the stairway leading up to my garage apartment. If at some point they insist you are declining, plead the Fifth Amendment. I guess it's too simple, or full of common sense. Lecture notes about civil liberties and rights. I propose: 1) Grabbing your video recorder and recording the entire exchange. As a result, they are subject to monetary fines for doing nothing more than keeping the private details of their lives private.. I hung up. This questionnaire asked how we got the funds to open the business, and how much money we spent to start up operation! "I'm afraid my trees are eating the elephants, now." I'm sorry but this survey almost asks me how many times I pee in a day. It's the amendments that congress is busy adding to the original Constitution while you guys are busy working, fishing, etc., instead of watching congressional actions on C Span or some such that are killing us and our rights. If you can't see why many people have a problem with the ACS then I'll never be able to explain it to you. Well, for all who are posting to this blog saying it is our civic duty, that its just a few questions on the census, that we should just go ahead and answer the questions, let me say this: this is not a census. As a current enumerator I'd like to say thanks to the great majority of people who have courteously answered census questions. [4] After a decennial census is conducted, states which have increases in population may gain additional seats in the House of Representatives at the expense of other states. Protect your privacy. It seems when the phone number is given, that is when the harassment starts. No way was I going to submit that kind of info. Please download the PDF to view it: Download PDF. me. We gave the government the right to count us. You have no idea. Bottom line: we are supposed to give private information to individuals who are part time, temporary employees of Uncle Sam, the ACS seems to be confused about what they have and have not received and the US Postal Service seems not to be working either. A: The ACS is not sent to all households. A refusal to answer any question on the ACS or giving an intentionally false answer is a federal offense. Interesting. And as to the types of questions that can be asked, the only limit is that they can't be of a religious nature. For our government to function basic knowledge about the country as a whole, and individual states is required. If they want more personal financial information, then I suggest they get it from the IRS. Don't fill out anything if you don't want the public to know some of your private information. . Clearly our government is out of control by trying to intimidate citizens to comply with this survey. On 22 September 2006, the American Broadcast Company (ABC) reported that, since 2003, the Census Bureau lost or reported stolen over 200 laptops and numerous handheld and portable data devices used by survey collectors. Is there anything I can do about this? For example, in 2013 after the 2010 census, Florida gained two seats in the House, while New York lost two. The US Census Bureau says it's an essential tool in collecting relevant and timely data in order to understand and finance local needs for things like roads and schools. Has anyone ever been fined or penalized for not complying? I have already received two calls. They can't take my free will. 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. Too late I read the comments about this article and I got a phone call from the ACS. Report Inappropriate Content I am only a man, a man who believes in his liberties and will stand against this government crap! Empowered by Congress with greater powers to amass information about citizens, the Census Bureau introduced the ACS in 2005. "Isn't that enough?" Wow this there are so many ignorant people here! Fight the power. I see no reason to comply. Horrible, and a total violation of my rights across the board. this is a new one. Thank you for creating this site and letting me know that I am not alone with receiving these and answering them. [19] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/EducationalAttainment.pdf. But in this day and age, do you really believe by not taking the census that your personal information is more thoroughly protected? To all the census takers who have the nerve to put their 2 cents here to tell us how safe it is, why don't you also post your personal information for us? Estimates: 1-Year. I watched and saw that she was only there five minutes. I also mentioned that unless a US Marshal from the Justice Department accompanied him, I would simply ignore him and would call the police if further harassed. Great. New cases and investigations, settlement deadlines, and news straight to your inbox. 3) If by some chance they go for it, ask them the most embarrassing, asinine, or silly questions you can think of. Not to mention that this information in the wrong hands can cause identity theft. That wasn't supposed to be able to happen. When I answered the door she said who she was and had a survey for me. While talking to the ACS lady on the phone I found out they didn't have a complete address and had sent me a form. Just one question, what could the $1 billion could have been spent on other than conducting a poll? I assume she was a supervisor. [34] http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2015/04/will-kinder-gentler-census-survey-placate-congressional-foes. This also happened the last 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. Logged onto survey; did not complete any items 2.1121 65 Never logged on (implicit refusal) 2.11 887 Survey completed after close of the field period 2.27 189 Completed interview but was removed for data quality 1 Screened out . Poster 235 is on to something: maybe my neighborhood can get a new school, a new hospital, and a new fire station. America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers. Or are they? They've also visited six of my neighbors, twice each so far. The House GOP proposal would eliminate any increase in funds for 2020 planning, and it cuts nearly $500 million in total from the administration's request, including reductions for the American. If you read and listen to them carefully they actually say that it's mandatory and you could be fined. I then slammed the door shut. 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]. I told this supervisor that no one came by my home. Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Hence, you have answered the only question required by the constitution and you might have even increased the possibility for more representatives! 7) Get the left wing indoctrination crew out of our education systems. The information from the Census should suffice for the allotment of federal funds for schools and roads. You keep referring to the Constitution's original language and writings but that's been beat back again and again over the course of the years. I don't bother to answer my phone unless I know who it is. I have worked as an enumerator. No one from the Census has ever called you every hour of the day or at 9 p.m. A couple were friendly; one sounded very "authoritative" and intimidating. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions? to be human so be sure to count them in as well! ACS is really not worth losing any sleep over. Granted, I'm sure they can find it, but the census would have had to use some powers beyond their department to find it, since I intentionally left that form blank on the 2010 census. He asked me about a census employee who visited my home the prior week. However, we will make it quite clear we will accept the risk and continue to take this stand. I don't mind giving my name, the name of my spouse, children, ages and occupations but that is it. You aren't getting mine! There are two of us living here. Especially after reading the comments on this page. I never have, EVER owned an apartment or resort. Then came the second one,it followed the first. I have little doubt that the ACS data is already in Israel's possession. Unreal! They DO go away. 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. If you do/have, chances are your information is already out in the open for various public/private agencies. Please show me where the US Census Bureau was given the right to fine you or even where they are mentioned in these laws? The provision for the Census is found in Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution. 2018] IN DEFENSE OF THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 113 surveys.18 After the 2000 Census, the Bureau chose to eliminate the long form and use a yearly survey instead.19 In 2006, the Bureau fully implemented the ACS throughout the United States.20 The ACS is now conducted yearly, and includes much of the same data requested by the 2000 long form.21 In . While the long form was administered once a decade to a sample of households receiving the universal short-form census, the ACS is an ongoing survey of 3.5 million addresses annually (295,000 homes/month). We already did our duty and answered the regular census. 12286: Don't worry, and don't respond. She informed me that I only had to answer a few questions, and could she come in? 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. Wake up America! I am an American! I let her know that I understood their game and wasn't going to play, and she said she would record me as a refusal. The American Community Survey (ACS) qualifies as a government program whose purpose, while seemingly benign, raises significant constitutional concerns. Access American Community Survey data on the Census Bureau's new platform, data.census.gov. This survey is intrusive and i will not answer it! This is especially true if you have already returned your regular census form. Beyond principle, I work in the defense of our nation as a senior leader and have good reason to be concerned. He is a senior in high school and just finished studying the history of communism. [10] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/JourneytoWork.pdf. See Clemons v. U.S. Dep't of Commerce, 710 F. Supp. I just got a pretty harassing phone call from a census lady, who said I would be fined if I didn't fill this crap out. She left, but will I be hearing from her again? Housing 19b. I have written both my senators, Warner and Webb of Virginia, and stated my refusal to comply with the ACS. They can send me the 2010 census with their 10 questions that I am required to answer and I will. Just got my second second ACS survey in the last three years. I don't believe the ACS should, or has the right, to require more. 2d 570, 572 (N.D. I received two surveys. What Percent of the US Population do Doctors Comprise? In the article above, it mentions the fine is per offense; but I did not read that anywhere in Title 13. I sure am glad I ran across this site. This all happened while I was watching from my porch. [18] https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/about/qbyqfact/2016/MortgageSMOC.pdf. I suppose if they have the info to redistrict, they have all the info they need. These questions clearly violate any privacy guaranteed to me by the US Constitution and over step the Census Bureaus authority. To support any of this is not like killing, it is killing your neighbor, your dog, your wife, your kids and your kids' kids - maybe slowly and with pretty lights and shiny trinkets, but it is. Further, congressional rules on enforcement were controlled by the Republican Congressional Committee overseeing Census Bureau Operations, when the Republicans controlled congress. Published: January 12, 2021 - 2:23 AM ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) Here's a Good Question-about an odd delivery in the mail. Shame it's only once every ten years. She didn't have the common courtesy to disclose that little fact. We do not live in 1930's Germany but you sure can't tell by reading the questions on this form. About one week later, I was ready to mail in my form. I intend to scan the thing and email it to everyone I know, plus my congressman and senators. Subscribe. After the first couple of letters I received I started getting harassing phone calls from them. We are so fortunate to live in this country. They also made an unannounced visit. Now there was the random insanely long, for one out of four, which I think is totally unfair. Lock and Load. Q: How does the Census Bureau typically ensure that people complete the survey? For instance, the ACS asks about the acreage of your property and any agricultural sales from the property,[7] your ancestry,[8] your citizenship status,[9] your daily commute (including when your leave home and how long it takes to get to work),[10] the computing devices you own,[11] the fertility of women in the household,[12] the fuel used to heat your house,[13] the number of rooms in your house,[14] and the year in which your house was built.
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