US Census- Community Survey?

[Tor Larson]

WTH?

Filled out the US Census months ago-now I get a phone call from the "American Community Survey" asking pushy questions on why I didn't fill out the survey? I told her I filled out the census and she tells me that our household was picked to fill out the lengthy questionnaire- its "mandatory by law????" I thought the Constitution just asked for the basics? This Community Survey is PAGES long asking me some pretty personal questions: what time I leave the house, commute times, house payments, utility costs, rooms in my house, phones, my income, my job, fertility, number of cars,etc.

There is no way I want to give out that information- no matter what "privacy guarantee" they have.

Did anyone else here get one of these???? What happens if you don't fill it out? Just wondering.

Tor

[2ndChildhood]

I worked for the Census earlier this year and we had some people ask this same question.

The answer we were told to give is that the ten year census counts everyone. There is also an annual census that counts a small percentage of everyone and ask many more, very detailed questions.

It sounds like you got picked for the yearly version.

[TFOGGER]

Fukem.....you are not obligated to give them ANY information not required by law.

Edit: found THIS in Wikipedia

The Department of Commerce has stated that those who receive a survey form are required to provide answers to a list of questions about themselves and their households, including their profession, how much money they earn, their source of health insurance, their preferred mode of transportation to and from work, and the amount of money they pay for housing and utilities. Those who decline to answer these questions may receive follow-up phone calls and/or visits to their homes from Census Bureau personnel. The Census Bureau prefers to gain cooperation by convincing respondents of the importance of participation, therefore, if you don't respond they follow-up with phone calls and/or visits. However, Section 221 of Title 13 U.S.C., makes it a misdemeanor to refuse or willfully neglect to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers and imposes a fine of not more than $100. This fine is changed by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 from $100 to not more than $5,000. To date, no person has ever been charged with a crime for refusing to answer the ACS survey, which several U.S. Representatives have challenged as unauthorized by the census act and violative of the Right to Financial Privacy Act. The Department of Commerce states that it is "not an enforcement agency."[2]

Seriously, WTF?

[StagLefty]

I won't do anything like that over the phone-you have no idea who your talking to. JMHO

[Irving]

Yeah, no f'ing way over the phone. Asking those questions in person is a great way to get a shotgun pointed at your face. I don't care what the law says.

[Zundfolge]

...Section 221 of Title 13 U.S.C., makes it a misdemeanor to refuse or willfully neglect to complete the questionnaire...

Does it say anything about completing the questionnaire honestly?

Profession: Raconteur
How much money I earn: 150lb of boiled potatoes per week
Source of health insurance: Hymie and Bubba's Kosher Soul-food Delicatessen and Health Insurance Underwriting.
Preferred mode of transportation to and from work: Monkey powered rickshaw
Amount of money I pay for housing and utilities: $27.50 and certain sexual acts I'd rather not discuss.

[BPTactical]

You are only required Constitutionally to answer how many people reside in the home IIRC.
Age-Sex-Marital Status-Employment etc is none of their damn business.
My wife completely filled out the original Census form and she got torqued when I shredded it.
About a week later a gal came to the house and asked if we had completed the Census. I told her no, we had not and proceeded to shove one in my face and told me I had to fill it out.
I marked that 4 adults live in the home and gave it back to her. She started telling me that I had to complete it and I told her that is all she gets and that is all I am required to give her by law.
Well a couple of weeks later another gal comes to the door (at least this chick was a hottie) and she started to give me the spiel again. I handed her some stuff I had printed up that defined what is required and filled out the form again marking just 4 adults, nothing more.

I've heard nothing else since.


Good stuff Zundfolge!

[theGinsue]

Okay, I get that the 10 year U.S. Census is mandated by law and Constitutional authority, but a survey? Particularly one that asks such detailed and personal information?

The answers to those sort of questions are absolutely nobodies business but MINE and I won't be answering such questions if I'm ever "selected".

What a load of horse scat.

[van7559]

I don't fill out any of that shit. With today;s technology the govt knows what is what, and that is too much info anyway

[BushMasterBoy]

Census should only be a count of population. I lied on the rest of the questions. In my experience, the government is a corrupt organization that will use any information against you. It is only natural that you lie to protect yourself. I did admit I was Cock Asian...stupid bastards.