"American Community Survey" -- Oh Happy Day (Vanity)

US Census Bureau ^ | 7/28/12 | Me

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Oh joy. We received our 2012 "American Community Survey" this week, the gazillion page long form that government experts assure me will take only 38 minutes to fill out. Below are the samples of the extremely obnoxious questions on the current form (courtesy of RyanUS at DemocratUnderground who complained about this government intrusion in his life!). I'm giving them the basics and expect to be harrassed the next six weeks until they finally go away.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"Housing"

• "Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have COMPLETE kitchen facilities; that is, 1) a sink with piped water, 2) a stove or range, and 3) a refrigerator?"
• "Is there telephone service available in this house, apartment, or mobile home from which you can both make and receive calls?"
• "Which FUEL is used MOST for heating this house, apartment, or mobile home?"
• "LAST MONTH, what was the cost of electricity for this house, apartment, or mobile home?"
• "At any time DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did anyone in this household receive Food Stamps?"
• "When was this building first built?"
• "How many acres is this house or mobile home on?"
• "IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, what were the actual sales of all agricultural products from this property?"
• "Do you or any member of this household have a second mortgage or a home equity loan on THIS property?"
• "What is the main reason members of this household are staying at this address?"

"Person 1"

• "Where was this person born?"
• "Is this person a CITIZEN of the United States?"
• "Did this person live in this house or apartment 1 year ago?"If not, "Where did this person live 1 year ago?"
• "Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities:"
• "Has this person given birth to any children in the past 12 months?"
• "Does this person have any of his/her own grandchildren under the age of 18 living in this house or apartment?"
• "LAST WEEK, did this person do ANY work for either pay or profit?"
• "At what location did this person work LAST WEEK?"
• "How did this person usually get to work LAST WEEK?"
• "What time did this person usually leave home to go to work LAST WEEK?"
• "For whom did this person work?"
• "What kind of business or industry was this?"
• "What was this person’s total income during the PAST 12 MONTHS?"

[Strategerist]

Actually enough of “just the basics” and it’s a completed partial interview and you won’t be bothered again.

Names, ages, places of birth citizenship, and a couple of other things. You can skip anything having to do with your personal finances, etc. and it still counts as completed.

[G Larry]

Can we see the one for 1600 Penn. Ave. in W.D.C.?

There’s a few issues I’d like to revisit.

And, just how productive was that garden?

[pops88]

I think I got something like that several years ago. It wasn’t the official census and it was addressed to “current resident.” That stuff hits the circular file. Besides, I’m married to a pilot and move so often it would skew their data ;)

[DLfromthedesert]

I got one a couple of months ago; it was 3 inches thick, so I left the envelope unopened and marked “Refused” and stuck it in outgoing mail.

A month ago I started getting phone calls from the Census Bureau which I never answer; they have left voicemails which I ignore.

[Dr. Sivana]

Or, you can let them know that Congressional apportionment has already been made, and you will give them a proper headcount in 2020.

I had received one of those things, ignored it, and when the lady came to the door, once I figured out who she was, I waited for her to ask a question, and then responded,

“I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you I have nothing to say to you” etc.

I didn’t yell, I didn’t act mean, but I would NOT let her come close to getting a word in edgewise (we CT Yankees can talk REAL fast when we want to.) I didn’t even close the door until she left.

She left. There were a couple of half-hearted knocks by a fellow later, and then they stopped.

Oh, and lots of post cards.

[DLfromthedesert]

I got one a couple of months ago; it was 3 inches thick, so I left the envelope unopened and marked “Refused” and stuck it in outgoing mail.

A month ago I started getting phone calls from the Census Bureau which I never answer; they have left voicemails which I ignore.

[Strategerist]

It wasn’t the official census and it was addressed to “current resident.”

The census doesn't track people, it tracks addresses. It has a database of residential addresses, and associated phone numbers (in some cases, if you have a landline). It genuinely doesn't have the foggiest idea who lives at your address - which is what I thought people wanted.

[Sir Napsalot]

Let us know what happens next. Write a vanity thread in another month or so.

[Uncle Slayton]

Please be careful about filling out this intrusion by the Obama Administration into your personal life. Chances are that agents of Obama, the Democratic Party and George Soros are tracking you and will continue to keep tabs on you long after the survey is completed.

But, the bigger problem is that they have already found you and know where you live. If you are in the financial position to move to an undisclosed location, that may be best.

The survey form itself may contain an RDIF Chip or even be written with RDIF ink. A paper shredder or burning would be useless and only warn them that you are not being compliant.

[Strategerist]

Please be careful about filling out this intrusion by the Obama Administration into your personal life. Chances are that agents of Obama, the Democratic Party and George Soros are tracking you and will continue to keep tabs on you long after the survey is completed.

But, the bigger problem is that they have already found you and know where you live. If you are in the financial position to move to an undisclosed location, that may be best.

The survey form itself may contain an RDIF Chip or even be written with RDIF ink. A paper shredder or burning would be useless and only warn them that you are not being compliant.

I'm having more and more trouble telling brilliant satire from abject stupidity on FR.

[Slings and Arrows]

[pops88]

“The census doesn’t track people, it tracks addresses. It has a database of residential addresses, and associated phone numbers (in some cases, if you have a landline). It genuinely doesn’t have the foggiest idea who lives at your address - which is what I thought people wanted.”

I know, which is why I had no qualms about it hitting the circular file.

[GeronL]

none of their freaking business, obviously

[Salgak]

If you’re THAT paranoid, stick the envelope in the microwave and give it 30 seconds. Fries any RFID made.

Oh, and Reynolds heavy-duty is the preferred cap and hat liner. . . .

[FLAMING DEATH]

I dutifully and promptly sent in my American Community Survey. I answered every question, and sometimes added explanations as necessary. Some of my answers were so detailed, they went on for several pages.

Too bad all I could find to fill out the survey was one of these:

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The census taker walked past a locked gate and “No trespassing” sign a few years ago.

Wife and I escorted him off the property.

[paratrooper82]

. . . and your responding why?

Just tell them you are in the U.S. illegally and they are not allowed to ask such questions!

End of story!

[gleeaikin]

What percentage of people get these questionnaires?

[gleeaikin]

What percentage of people get these questionnaires?