Some Say Census Questionnaire Getting Too Personal

CBS 11 ^ | 03 Aug 2009 | Carol Cavazos

[BGHater]

The American Community Survey is a questionnaire that was recently sent out by the federal government. Three million Americans were asked to complete the information.

The questionnaire is much more detailed than the regular census, leaving some North Texans wondering if 'Big Brother' is acting more like a nosey neighbor.

The American Community Survey is sent to random households every year.  The information updates the census, which is given every 10 years.

But some people say the yearly survey is getting too personal.  A Richardson resident, who didn't want to be identified, just received the survey.  She says it not only wants to know if she's been married, but how many times!

The questionnaire also wants answers about where she works, how much money she makes, and what time she leaves for work each day – the hour and minute!  "I thought it was intrusive. I don't have a high regard for the federal government collecting this information anyway," the woman told CBS 11 News.  "You don't know what they're going to do with it."

Officials with the Census Bureau say the data is needed so the government will know where to build things like roads and schools.

"Why do they need to know this?  They don't, in my opinion," the woman said, before further stating that she thinks the personal questions are un-American.  "Do they really need to know if we have a mortgage and whether this house is free and clear? That's intrusive."

Don't think you can just chuck the survey or skip questions.  The Census Bureau says they'll call, and call, and call, visit you or finally fine you.  The government wants answers.

But the Richardson resident is hoping more people are offended by the questionnaire.  "If enough people are outraged then somebody will rethink this and decide it really is too intrusive," she said. 

Read the questions planned for the 2010 Census and American Community Survey.

[BGHater]

Joy.

[GeronL]

The federal government doesn’t build roads and schools. Maybe we should let the local and county governments do their own census?

[MarMema]

Is there a penalty for accidentally answering some of the questions incorrectly? And having fun with it....

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Star Traveler]

What if you take the Fifth? Would that work? :-)

[jongaltsr]

Instead of doing nothing and throwing the forms in the trash...
LIE LIKE HELL....
It screws up their data base with worthless information and if everyone did that they would have to stop because the data collected would be worthless.

[2ndDivisionVet]

“There are three adults living here.” [SLAM!]

[Pajamajan]

BOOKMARK

[MarMema]

How many automobiles, vans, and trucks of one-ton capacity or less are kept at home for use by members of this household?

None
1
2
3
4
5
6
or more

[timetostand]

pretend you never received them and then blame it on the postal service!

[240B]

How many times have you been married?
5.7

How many vehicles do you own?
0.3

How much do you make a year?
$9.05

I’m gettin’ you.

[Berlin_Freeper]

[MarMema]

Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have –

a. hot and cold running water?
b. a flush toilet?
c. a bathtub or shower?
d. a sink with a faucet?
f. a refrigerator?
e. a stove or range?
g. telephone service from which you can both make and receive calls? Include cell phones.

[SERE_DOC]

how about 3 carbon based, biological units beyond puberty, slam

[Paleo Conservative]

How many guns do you own? Where do you store them? How much ammunition do you have?

[101voodoo]

"Is there a penalty for accidentally answering some of the questions incorrectly? And having fun with it...."

To the best of my knowledge.....

[ctdonath2]

IIRC, yes, there is a penalty. $500 per form if you lie, $100 if you just don’t answer. They may have added a zero to those numbers though.

Don’t lie on federal forms. Ever.
Getting fined for not answering, however, gives you a 4th Amendment defense - which I hope we’re all looking forward to exercising.

[SouthDixie]

Perhaps insert 'present' for every answer.

[SUSSA]

I got this once. I threw it away. When they called I told them I wasn’t filling it out. It took about 2 calls from a supervisor before they let me alone.

I never answer more than how many people live in the house on any census form.

[upchuck]

Download a copy of this and skim through it.

I disagree with the lady in the article that said this questionnaire is intrusive.

It is DAMNED intrusive! Nearly all the questions are designed to help federal handout programs.

If you believe we do not live in a socialist country, reading through this form may change your mind.

[BGHater]

No worries. I always have a Public Servant Questionnaire[PDF] available.

[Gargantua]

How many guns do you own?
Nowhere near enough.

Where do you store them??
I carry them on my person.

How much ammunition do you have??
Plenty. Maybe more.

N'kay? Buh-bye. :-)

;-/

[Labyrinthos]

Officials with the Census Bureau say the data is needed so the government will know where to build things like roads and schools.

Except the gov't will need three to four year at the minimum to analyize the information, and then another three to four years to plan, fund, and actually build a new road or school, and by then, the initial information is obsolete and the new road becomes yet another waste of our money.

[Non-Sequitur]

The questionnaire is much more detailed than the regular census, leaving some North Texans wondering if 'Big Brother' is acting more like a nosey neighbor.

I remember similar concerns during the 2000 census. Is this one even more inquisitive than that one was?

[Lucky Dog]

a 4th Amendment defense - which I hope we’re all looking forward to exercising.

Just in case some reading your post wants a reference:

Amendment IV

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.

[dools007]

I only answer questions that are pertinent to establishing my existence and residence. I specifically do not answer any questions that pertain to race. IMHO that in and of itself is racist.

If I’m ever challenged, I’ll simply say that I cannot be made to incriminate myself.

[19kofcagnra70]

Why the hub-bub? Fill it out incorrectly.

[BykrBayb]

Here's an ironic section. Why should any of us have to answer these questions?

❼
Where was this person born?
▢ In the United States - Print name of state.

__________________________________________
▢ Outside the United States - Print name of foreign country, or Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.

__________________________________________

❽
Is this person a citizen of the United States?
▢ Yes, born in the United States → Skip to 10A
▢ Yes, born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Northern Marianas.
▢ Yes, born abroad of U.S. citizen parent or parents.
▢ Yes, U.S. citizen by naturalization - Print year of naturalization

____________________
▢ No, not a U.S. citizen.

❾
When did this person come to live in the United States? Print numbers in boxes.

Year _________

(I couldn't figure out how to replicate their boxes, so I just used an underline. It makes Question 9 look odd, but it's the best I could do.)

[EBH]

Declaration To Make To Census Takers

“I hereby affirm that the provisions of Title 13 ``requiring’’ me to disclose my race, personal financial data, birthdate, or any other personal, private information to the Bureau of the Census, an agency of the United States government; constitutes an unreasonable, unwarranted search of my person, house, papers, and/or effects; and a governmental invasion of the sanctity of my home and the privacies of life. As such, these provisions violate the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, and are thus wholly void and I am not bound to obey them.

I have completed the only those sections of the Census form pertaining to the Constitutionally-mandated actual enumeration, as follows:

The actual number of people living at the address printed on the form, excluding untaxed Native Americans;
Age of each person in accordance with US Const. Amendment XIV, Section 2.
Sex of each person, in accordance with US Const. Amendment XIV, Section 2.
I have thus fulfilled my obligation to the attainment of the actual enumeration of the populace of the United States.

Any fine or other sanction that is levied by any office or organization stemming from the unconstitutional provisions of Title 13 in connection with my response to this or any other Census-related questioning will be challenged in a court of law.”

[Desdemona]

Thanks. I have it copied and saved for later use.

[thesearethetimes...]

Sixty-Five Pages...sixty-five bleepin’ pages!

Heavy sigh.
Tatt

[thesearethetimes...]

Thank you, indeed. We will definitely share it with all of our friends, and family. Thank heavens, we raised our kids to understand that they do NOT have to answer every question that is asked of them, and further, that they can inform the asker, that their personal information, is none of the questioner’s business.

Sixty-five pages...

Tatt

[Lucky Dog]

Why the hub-bub? Fill it out incorrectly.

Unfortunately, beyond issues of personal ethics and morals, a legal problem arises from falsifying official government documents (a census form qualifies), to wit:

US Code- Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 47, Sec 1001

Sec. 1001. - Statements or entries generally

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully -

(1) Falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;

(2) Makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or

(3) Makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both

Note: The reader must understand that this is United States code; there are different definitions and punishments for falsifying State documents.

The information required in a census is specified in the US Constitution:

US Constitution, Article I, Section 2. [excerpt] 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, in such manner as they shall by law direct…

Census questions that go beyond the purpose (enumeration for the purpose of allocating representation seats) specified in this portion of the Constitution can reasonably viewed as an unreasonable seizure of personal information.

Such is prohibited by the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution:

Amendment IV

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.

Answer your question?

[DeFault User]

You neglected to list the “Right to Privacy”, which is in Article....uhhhh.... Section......errrr....

Well, it’s invisible, but we have it on the Highest Authority, it’s there.

[ctdonath2]

Goes for healthcare too. They want your full - and very personal - records. Don’t comply, get fined. Don’t pay fine...

[whd23]

Don't think you can just chuck the survey or skip questions. The Census Bureau says they'll call, and call, and call, visit you or finally fine you. The government wants answers.

Then just make stuff up. GIGO

[MrB]

In 2000, we refused to answer the race question.
They called. We refused.
They sent someone out. We refused.

And I told the person that came out if I found out that she had filled in the race question by observation, I would sue her for invasion of privacy.

[MrB]

Talk to any leftist,
and they’ll refuse to acknowledge that all gov’t
policies are enforced with a gun to the head.

They just don’t want to acknowledge that their
“common good” feelgoodism is forced on people
through the barrel of a gun.

[ctdonath2]

The Constitution directs the feds to do a head count for districting purposes.

Any information requested beyond that needs a warrant.

[ctdonath2]

Refusing to answer is one thing. Will cost you $100, but you have a Constitutional basis to refute it.

Falsification is something very different. Will cost you $500, and you have no legal recourse.

[mewzilla]

I wonder what would happen if millions of Americans refused to co-operate with the census, giving no info other than the number of people living in the household....

[Tijeras_Slim]

Q: Are you classified as human?

A: Negative, I am a meat popsicle.

[dfwgator]

Tell you what, I’ll make them a deal. When Obama releases his birth certificate, I’ll tell them everything they want to know.

[Lucky Dog]

Goes for healthcare too. They want your full - and very personal - records. Don’t comply, get fined. Don’t pay fine...

Unfortunately, the grounds for refusal to provide this type of information are less sound than refusal to provide extraneous information to a census data accumulator.

The validity of having to provide this information depends upon who is asking and for what purpose. If a citizen is accepting health care, then the providers and financiers of such care are entitled to such information on the grounds that such may materially influence the quality and/or cost of such care.

Herein lies one of the major problems with Obamacare. The government should have no role in healthcare beyond establishing standards for the licensing and/or professional competency certification of health care professionals and institutions, epidemiology, counter biological warfare and certification of the safety of medications.

[ctdonath2]

If a citizen is accepting health care

Clarification: you don't have a choice. If you DON'T "have health care" (whatever that ends up meaning) compliant with gov't standards (including opening your records to the feds), you get FINED. You simply don't have an option, and punishment isn't a valid option.

[Lucky Dog]

You neglected to list the “Right to Privacy”, which is in Article....uhhhh.... Section......errrr....

Well, it’s invisible, but we have it on the Highest Authority, it’s there.

You will find below, the Constitutional basis for what is commonly called the right to privacy. Federal courts have expanded the right beyond the scope established in our founding document. Nonetheless, this amendment establishes a privacy boundary beyond which the government is prohibited from intruding without a probable cause for suspicion of wrong-doing.

Amendment IV

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.

[Lucky Dog]

...you don't have a choice...

You always have a choice... including, but not limited to, emigration.

However, as I noted in the past, as long as "free elections" remain, then Americans are not forced to permanently accept any federal program. There may be a temporary requirement to comply, but such requirement need last only as long as it takes American voters to change representation.

If the American voters refuse to elect those who would reverse any onerous, government infringement upon their freedoms and sensibilities, then the first option I mentioned above remains. Unfortunately, I cannot really think of any other country to which I wish to emigrate. Therefore, I am constrained to working to change the representation present in our republic that would impose such an onerous requirement upon Americans.

[ctdonath2]

Yeesh, if you get abstract enough then sure you always have a choice. You can always just “check out”.

Point is that under Obamacare, if you want to live here, your choice is either open up your private records (the ones long shielded under “doctor-patient privilege”) or be fined - an outright violation of the 4th Amendment.

[upchuck]

Wow. That is awesome. The next time I get pulled over, ya reckon I could insist the police officer fill out that form first, before writing me a ticket?

[dools007]

What was the census taker’s response to your threat?

I suspect you would be unable to sue unless the government let you sue.

I wonder what they would do if I said I was “black-irish-American. I would bet money the idiots would not know what I was talking about and put me down as being black.

Only because I would not want one more black than counted than actually exists would I not do that.