My Refusal to Comply!

January 29, 2009 | mark gordon

[mark gordon]

MY REFUSAL TO COMPLY!

January 29, 2009

I received the American Community Survey about a month ago. This compulsory 28 page document published and administered by the U.S. Census Bureau clearly demonstrates the need to ask the question " Who is out-of-control in our government?". Perhaps, more importantly, "Who is in control, outside of our government?" I decided, almost immediately, not to comply. A little investigation confirmed my suspicion. Namely, there are countless others of you out there who share a common concern about this interrogative survey as well as the motives of our government. I say " our government" because I still keep close to my heart the memory of a government and an America I supported while serving in the Vietnam war. A time when the enemy was perceived as a threat against our great nation and not from within. I received a second ACS just last week with a letter that hinted vague threats. This appears to follow the pattern described by most of you who have already experienced the ordeal. My course of action is best described by the following conviction.

It is the duty of every U.S. Citizen to practice civil disobedience when the government exceeds its authority.

The U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 states; "The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years." This gives the government authority to conduct a census every ten years by enumeration. Any demand placed upon a U.S. Citizen beyond that provision is unconstitutional. A paper history of the U.S. Census records throughout the life of our nation plainly exhibits the simple process of enumeration as the only method permitted to obtain a "head count" and only at an interval of ten years. The ACS far exceeds the intent of the U.S. Constitution for the purpose of congressional redistricting and allocation. The questions are extremely intrusive into our private lives and a blatant attempt to extract vital personal information that cannot be obtained by any other means. Also, it is my view that this campaign endorsed by our legislative body, in part or whole, is being used as a test ground to determine how far the American people will bend and stay pliable under the control of a central government. Summarizing my intent;

1) I will not comply with the demands of a government that has exceeded its authority. 2) I will not pay any fine. 3) I am, bold words but spoken true to my nature, willing to be imprisoned but not subjugated.

In doing so, I will practice civil disobedience for the first time in my life. Given the safeguards written into the U.S. Constitution by our founding fathers and the love of country they entrusted with us, I can do no other.

Mark Gordon markbgordon@yahoo.com

PostScript - I would be more than pleased to provide a PDF copy of the American Community Survey to anyone who is unfamiliar with its contents and intent.

[Safrguns]

can you post the most invasive examples of the census?

[Retired Greyhound]

Here here. This country was born by rebellion to tyranny. Most Americans fly the stars and stripes. That's great, but I prefer our first flag:

[IGOTMINE]

Welcome to FR!

[Nervous Tick]

Interesting.

It occurs to me that if everyone that didn’t vote for Obama were to refuse to comply with the next US Census, it would rock their world.

[trumandogz]

You will not be committing civil disobedience by not completing the ACS.

You are free to toss it in the trash.

And the Census Bureau is free to send you more letters.

And you can throw those away.

[Longdriver]

Amen, brother.

[KittenClaws]

My MIL received one of those, she had had two strokes and was unable to fill it out. My husband called the “help” number, and told them of the situation.

The “thing” on the other end of the phone practically threatened to send my MIL to jail if it wasn't sent back immediately - that she was to find someone to “do it for her” and, once again - send it in immediately. The person filling out the survey had to be identified as well.

The questions were truly intrusive and, I thought at the time, unconstitutional. Longer story short, “she” did fill it out, with unreadable answers..they got their survey alright...

Thanks for your disobedience. I'd encourage those who have not seen this survey to get the PDF - it is remarkable what the Government thinks it can get away with.

[EdReform]

BTTT

Welcome to Free Republic!

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

If I get this questionaire, I will answer only the questions that I feel are not intrusive.

I will not answer any question on race, income, lifestyle or religion.

[Jenny217]

Here’s the fee for throwing it in the trash according to the Census Bureau:

“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 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.

You may view Title 13 at the U. S. House of Representatives website at the following address: http://uscode.house.gov/download/title_13.shtml.";

[Blood of Tyrants]

I got several last year. I threw them in the trash after a glance.

[KarlInOhio]

Here is a blog post with a lot of comments about the ACS and the battles people have had with pain in the rear census workers: http://www.survivalarts.com/archives/001095.html

[Eagle Eye]

A few years ago I sent mine back with lots of red ink to show my displeasure.

Sometime later a census contractor showed up at my house for follow up. I got irate and sent them on their way.

Weeks later another one (or same one) showed up and was told to get gone.

The third time I answered the door with a shotgun. I kid you not. They left and never returned.

[an amused spectator]

Claim the Timothy Geithner Exception.

[NC28203]

>>>It occurs to me that if everyone that didn’t vote for Obama were to refuse to comply with the next US Census, it would rock their world.

But it would also significantly reduce one’s representation in Congress.

[GeronL]

wait until you get the agricultural census. lol, and live in an apartment. Our government is non sensible.

[x1stcav]

Mark, Mark...

Do what I did. I put almost completely false information after being threatened for the 3rd time that I hadn’t returned it.

I also filled it in almost illegibly. If they could read it, more power to them.

[gdani]

This gives the government authority to conduct a census every ten years by enumeration. Any demand placed upon a U.S. Citizen beyond that provision is unconstitutional.

The US Census is not the same as the ACS.

That said, some of the questions are intrusive, most are not. The ACS is used in large part to determine where/how to spend money.

For instance, if ACS answers show that people in Omaha are commuting an average of 25 miles to work now instead of 10 miles several years ago, the Govt may look into spending more money on the highway system in/around Omaha.

[notaliberal]

I refused to answer mine during the last census. An agent showed up at my door and I refused to answer any questions. She went to my neighbors and I stood outside on their sidewalk and asked them to not answer any questions about me.