Posted on 08/05/2009 12:19:51 AM PDT by 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.
The federal government doesn’t build roads and schools. Maybe we should let the local and county governments do their own census?
Is there a penalty for accidentally answering some of the questions incorrectly? And having fun with it....
bookmark
What if you take the Fifth? Would that work? :-)
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.
“There are three adults living here.” [SLAM!]
BOOKMARK
None
1
2
3
4
5
6
or more
pretend you never received them and then blame it on the postal service!
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.
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.
how about 3 carbon based, biological units beyond puberty, slam
How many guns do you own? Where do you store them? How much ammunition do you have?
To the best of my knowledge.....
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.
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.
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.
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