Did anyone else receive one of these? According to their web site, US Code Title 13, sections Section 141 and Section 193 your response is required by law.
In reality, those sections outline that The Secretary (who is presumably defined elsewhere) can take surveys as a part of their census process. It is Section 221 that requires you to respond:
Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the Secretary or authorized officer, to answer, to the best of his knowledge, any of the questions on any schedule submitted to him in connection with any census or survey provided…
That’s just a crock.
Oh, sure, census information is useful and all that. It’s just the principal of it. I guess I’ll have to ask the nice lady who came to my door for some evidence that she is an authorized officer or employee of the Deparment of Commerce, or a bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of The Secretary.
Heck, I’d pay the $100 if it weren’t for Title 18, Section 3571 (allegedly Section 3559 as well, but that seems to deal with imprisonment and not monetary fines). With it on the books, the “not greater than $100” fine becomes “not greater than $5000” fine. That really blows.
Comments
718 responses to “American Community Survey”
Well, finally got my FedEx letter telling me why my participation in the ACS is so critical. I love how that actually believe that by “selecting a household sample to represent ALL households, we can obtain needed information at relatively low cost. Since each household in the sample represents many others (really?), the accuracy of the survey depends upon getting as many interviews as possible.” They actually believe this nonsense?
But here’s my favorite line, “If we can provide decision makers with good data, they stand a much better chance of making sound , rational decisions that ultimately affect us all.” That gold right there, pure gold.
Had visit #7 today, but I wasn’t home. My neighbors who were outside said that after knocking on my door, she walked around to the back of my house. She waited about 15 minutes and pestered them with questions as well.
I had posted a notice on my front door to educate whomever that the Constitution guarantees each citizen the right to privacy. The note she left on my door said that her office says “I can’t opt out UNLESS I GUARANTEE I will never drive on any street, use any public transportation, never visit a hospital, use an EMT of ambulance, or any other service CONTROLLED BY THIS SURVEY.”
Gonna leave a bucket of sand with note: “Pound This”
Until someone is fined no one has standing to bring any court action against the CB for the survey. The threat of a fine is there to get residents to comply by completing the survey. Fear is a great tool and the CB knows it.
Just had to share this, Christopher Walken on How to Complete a Census.
Oh and Glenn, you can’t file a class action here. Actually, someone needs to get fined first for failing to comply before they can challenge the law on Constitutional grounds.
I just had my eigth phone call in two months and no visits yet, but I expect they will start soon. They are relentless and oppressive. This is SO UNAMERICAN!! Why isn’t there a good Constitutional lawyer out there, that could submit a CLASS ACTION against these twerps? Probably because lawyers know this Aministration will block TORT REFORM and don’t want to ruffle feathers? We are being abused big time by our Government!! It’s time for pitch forks, tar and feathers!! It’s called freedom of speech and I just had to get that off my chest.
I feel like The Count from Sesame Street. That’s six, SIX visits. Muhahahahahahahahaha
Louis, you could just answer the door and say no. That’s what I did, and I’ve only had the one visit. I expect another this weekend, but it hasn’t happened yet. I had my one and only visit over a week ago. If you haven’t made contact, they will just keep coming! (Though this may be fun as well I guess.)
Just had visit #5 in 9 days from Big Brother. I was about to jump in the shower when the doorbell rang. I smiled. I had a really nice and long hot shower. How long was I in the shower? I ain’t telling you, you nosey peeps. Mind your own business. LOL
Hang in there Paul. I just had visit #4 while I was out for a run. This time the rep made a pity plea, saying she was a senior citizen with 4 grandchildren, and that she really needed to keep this job as they are counting on her for food. I hate to be completely insensitive to her situation, but my right to privacy is paramount here. I thought about leaving a note on the door for her next visit indicating that I was not going to voluntarily submit to the ACS interrogation. However, I know she is not going to lose her job and I just do not even want to provide anything directly to them in writing.
If they happen to catch me either coming or leaving my house, then we’ll have out little confrontation. (Which I must admit, I’m kinda looking forward to.) However, until then there is simply no law that requires me to open my mail, answer my phone or open my door.
After the field rep on Saturday, I received my overnight FedEx letter on tuesday. I imagine the supervisor will be stopping by next. The letter didn’t say that I refused the questions, only that I didn’t want to participate in the ‘survey’! 2-1/2 weeks left in my 90 day cycle. I’m sure glad that Feburary is a short month!