Census worker won't take no for answer

chicagotribune.com ^ | April 1, 2011 | Jon Yates

[BenLurkin]

The first few requests were tolerable. A Census Bureau worker would knock on John and Beverly Scott's door and ask them to fill out an American Community Survey. The McKinley Park couple would politely decline.

But as the days passed, the visits became more frequent and the requests more urgent.

Some evenings, the doorbell would ring at dinnertime, then again at 10 p.m.

"I'm generally a nice guy. I didn't want to shut the door in her face," John Scott said. "I said, 'I'm not going to answer your questions.' She kept saying, 'You've got to, you've got to.' I shut the door, and she kept ringing the doorbell and tapping on the window."

It isn't that the Scotts are anti-government or are philosophically opposed to the census. The couple filled out their decennial form last year, answering every question.

But they're not too keen on the American Community Survey, a more in-depth, ongoing questionnaire the Census Bureau conducts to compile information on area demographics, consumer patterns and economic issues.

In particular, the Scotts did not want to answer questions they found too personal, such as inquiries about their income, when they left for work and their health.

[ChildOfThe60s]

They kept calling me, and then threatened me with fines. I finally filled it in and lied as much as possible.

Trouble is, you know the f**ks will sic the IRS on you and then it’s never ending grief.

I can’t think of a better example of why there should be a genuine revolt in this country.

[NoLibZone]

Cough in their faces as you apologize for having been fighting SARS ever since that trip to Indonesia a few year back.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Answer the door in your underwear. Act crazy.

[Drango]

Call the cops. (but hide your dog so the cops don’t shoot it)

[varon]

I shut the door, and she kept ringing the doorbell and tapping on the window."

Do these cockroaches have the full protection of a federal official so that it would be a federal offense when knocked on their ass or would it be just an assault & battery?

[Txngal]

I’m still dealing with this nonsense. I’ve gotten to the point where I started threatening to call the police.

[bikerman]

we never filled out our form they finally came to the house and we both told them 2 people live here thats all the info I am giving then I said pardon me but I want to finish cleaning my shotgun thank you. never came back.

[Trteamer]

We made funny faces at him through the windows. Never once opened the door.....

[majormaturity]

Total BS that the masters think we slaves have to obey. The constitution required a census (a count) of the population for the sole purpose of determining how many reps a state got in the House. It is long past time when we should refuse to be slaves anymore.

[No Socialist]

He’s just lucky Big Sis didn’t find him on the public street or she would have given him a strip search, it’s her right.

[mikey_hates_everything]

Christopher Walken answers Census questions

[Oztrich Boy]

Have they thought of moving?

[Howie66]

I had one come by my house. I told them that I already filled out the form and that they would gather no further data, here.

I was polite but I also made it known that I would take no further guff over it. I believe that they got the message.

I have no tolerance for foolishness.

[centurion316]

the questions need to be answered, even if the answer is I refuse to answer that question.

Really? Is there some statutory authority for this? This is not the Census, it is a sample survey and is not required by the Constitution. Invite them to come armed with a court order the next time they pay a call.

I don't object to responding to anonymous surveys, but I believe that these surveys have selected your household from the Census data, therefore they know who you are and can link the responses to some tracking number on the data response sheets. Now, they may not do this under ordinary circumstances, but the fact that they can should give us all pause. Tell them to go to Google, they know everything about us.

[TigersEye]

LOL Best suggestion yet.

[trisham]

1. Do not answer the door unless you are expecting visitors. Ever.

2. Do not answer the phone unless caller ID alerts you that it is someone that you know.

3. If by chance, you are passing by the door and someone is there looking through the window, waive merrily and mouth "No thank you" and walk away.

4. Have a long driveway, if possible.

[Bigh4u2]

5.Install a trap door on the porch that leads to the sewer.

[forgotten man]

I was selected for the in depth household survey. They wanted to see all of my bills and bank statements. They wanted to know about my ATM withdrawals. I told them to f*&# off everytime they banged on my door. After more than a year they gave up. What a nightmare.

[trisham]

LOL!

[oldenuff2no]

I did put two very big and noisy dogs on my front porch. Then I told the lady I would turn them loose on her if she ever came back.
No more problem at the house. She did go across the street and ask my neighbors. They told her some crazy guy lived there with big mean dogs and they couldn't talk about him.