Is this done at the same time as the regular census? I’m asking because I seem to recall that several years ago, maybe 3, I received a call after I neglected to return a survey and it was related to the census. It seems like these were the questions I was asked. I remember that I was told it was mandatory.
.-= Buggys´s last blog ..Hundreds Protest Global Warming! =-.

These are done on a monthly basis, but they try not to send to the same address within a 5 year period from what I’ve read and I certainly don’t intend to give them any information if they send me one. I read many reports about how they also harass you and threaten..

Thanks for the heads up. I’m not gonna do it. What can they do?
They already know too much about me and everyone else.
GregoryJ
.-= GregoryJ´s last blog ..Fiction Friday =-.

I think it doesn’t hurt to just fill in the form? unless it’s a disadvantage for us.
.-= VanillaSeven´s last blog ..Signs of Spring =-.

I won’t fill it out, either. They can try all they want to!
.-= Storm´s last blog ..Food Storage Friday – What Do You Think? =-.

I don’t feel that they need to know any more about me than they already do.
.-= ann´s last blog ..Friday nigh guessing game =-.

I find it interesting how many people don’t trust the government. Is this part of the “change” Obama was talking about?
.-= Brenda @ Split Rock Ranch´s last blog ..WW =-.

If this were just voluntary, most people would probably have no problem with it. It’s the mandatory part that infuriates!
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..This Post Brought To You By The Letter "C" =-.

I’m really sorry you are so anti- the ACS. The data collected in the survey are essential to planning and decision-making through government at all levels and in the private non-profit sector. The information helps decision-makers figure out the best way to use scarce resources. I can give you dozens, perhaps hundreds, of different applications. Just one: it helps Head Start grantee agencies figure out where the poor children live and how to reach them in order to provide early childhood education services.

Feel free to email me for more information.

i have never been sent one or had anyone come to my door. maybe this little town doesn’t count, hmmm.

have a great day…hugz!
.-= PJ´s last blog ..A day with the girls =-.

Congratulations, Jude, you are a winner. Go Here for the details.
No, this is not spam. You know me. I’ve been here before.
GregoryJ
.-= GregoryJ´s last blog ..My Very First Blogging Award =-.

I’ve been counted several times, and have never felt threatened. Personally I don’t understand the objection. Census have been taken throughout history. The information they ask is all still available in multiple places…you’re not giving out any secret information. As a person who’s traced lots of family trees (mine own and many for others), it’s a tool I’ve often used. They are a fabulous source of information and can be very educational.

Your address and phone number is listed, has been listed for years in the phone book, and before that city directories. You income is known by the IRS. Your educational status and employment status aren’t secrets either, so…what’s the big deal?

I encourage everyone to participate and save your rebellion for something that matters.

People benefit each and everyday because of things the government does, why is it that people badmouth them so? Medicare is a government program, where would our senior citizens be without it? Think of where we’d without roads built by the government, bridges etc. The government steps in during crisis here and abroad; breakfast or lunch programs for starving children. Is anyone really against that? I certainly hope not.

Support your government, because they DO support you, each and everyday.

Sandy
.-= sandy´s last blog ..Packing Tips for Travelers =-.

Well, ma’am, I do apologize, but you really haven’t made it obvious here. I think the only hint is when you mention the collage of Bill, me, etc.
There are some other bloggers whose names do not lend to a specific gender, and at least one of them I can’t figure out.
I’m glad you told me, not that it makes any difference. I usually go for the women bloggers; you are good writers and really funny. I’m glad to be following you.
Thanks,
GregoryJ
.-= GregoryJ´s last blog ..My Very First Blogging Award =-.

Sandy I have no problem supporting the government or the regular census, but I see no reason that they should know what time I go to work and what time I get home or whether I have a flushing toilet or my ethnic background or how much mortgage or rent or if I’m mentally challenged or anything else that I don’t want them to know. If I was actually bad mouthing them it would be a lot worse than what is in this post. If I want them to know any more about me than they already know I’ll let them know. Since they probably already have the majority of that information all spread around with different branches there doesn’t need to be any more of mine out there floating around all in one place so some one else can get access to it that I don’t want to have it. You can give all your information out I don’t care, but they aren’t getting any more of mine if I can help it.

Hi Gregory thank-you and many people assume that I’m a man, my friends call me Jude I tend to like it over Judy.

This is very good info. I’ve also received warning emails about making sure the one we complete is the real deal and not a scam one.
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..The Savvy Source =-.

I had to fill out the long one a few years ago. I didn’t want to, but I was so scared of the fine I finally did it. Some things I didn’t even know how to answer. I had no idea which country or countries my ancestors were from. Neither did my still living family members. I had to finally google everyone’s last names and just guess. The questions were all ridiculous. I even kept a copy of it to cover myself in case the survey got lost in the mail. I actually found it yesterday when filing. I don’t care if no one has been prosecuted; I don’t want to be the one person they make an example of. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s just the way my luck runs.
.-= Staci at Just Bloggled´s last blog ..A Dumb Brunette Does Some Filing =-.

Staci, my luck isn’t so great either, but it’s so stupid all the nosy questions they ask. They should just allot a specific amount of money to each state depending on size and population and if we have elected the right officials then they should know how to appropriate the funds for the correct programs and not rip us off. As Patricia stated it wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t try to scare people and it was voluntary and while they’re at it they could also make jury duty voluntary. I know many people that love sitting on juries.

This is NOT an Obama thing. This has been going on at least since 2006. I got Two of them and I will not answer them. I just think this questionnaire asks personal questions that my own family has no business knowing about me! 28 pages of extremely personal information. I swear the first time I read it I thought it was from either thieves who wanted to break into my home or identity thieves. Surely it had to be a scam, I thought. But, no, it is legal and I won’t be answering it.

If they were asking these questions without personally identifiable information attached to it, then I would be okay with it, but all those personal questions are tied to individuals and to me that is just wrong. The government does not have the right to know that much about me or my family. I have no problem if they know that much about a non-identifiable family that lives in my hometown. That is how this survey should be done if they need it for funding programs etc… As long as the questions attach the answers to specific people, then they won’t be getting any answers from my family. They can fine me. I don’t care.

We received the Amercan Community Survey (sounds nice, doesn’t it?) two months ago. We’ve received a boat-load of mail, a month of phone calls which came in at all times of the day, up to 10 p.m., including two messages telling us we’ve been given a “case” Number. We are now “eligible” for a personal visit from a Census representative.

They are using the tactics reminiscent of what I understand bill collection agencies use. I do NOT owe my government this kind of information.

As scared and threatened as we feel, my husband and I cannot in good conscience answer the 42-invasive questions in this 28 page survey.

We are also to give out the personal financial information for anyone living with us–what will people with roommates do? Isn’t giving out that kind of information about other people illegal????

Yes it is illegal to give out other peoples info and I refuse to give any of it.

I have no objection to the census form, except I believe they should be asking for a headcount of CITIZENS. This census seems to favor people who are here illegally. People who are not citizens should not be filling out this census.

As for the American Community Survey–it asks questions I wouldn’t tell my Mother. And I love my mother.

Beth: I have no problem with the regular census which we already turned in and I doubt illegals will fill it out, but I will refuse to fill out the community one.

Good job, Jude!!!

I hope there are many more who feel this way and act on it. I spoke with a constitutional lawyer on the phone. They’re just waiting for the Bureau to try to fine someone for not filling out the American Community Survey.

So far no one has had to pay any fine, or jail time for not filling it out. Though they will threaten this.

We went in our 2010 census, too. Although I was tempted to fill in the part about what nationality, as HUMAN.

By the way, if anyone out there is actually facing some kind of fine–call The Rutherford Institute. They will take your case free of charge.

Hello there,

We received the American Community Survey in addition to the 10-question census form.

If you were to fill out all the on the American Community Survey, disregarding the numbering of the form, you would be filling out 272 questions—including personal and invasive questions about up to five people—even if they’re not family. If you were a couple filling out their information, disregarding their numbering system, you would be filling out 121 intrusive personal questions. I’ve enclosed a link to an “informational” copy of the form for you to peruse. It is no wonder they don’t list the questions for an additional five people, along with the names of up to 12 people beyond the initial five.

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/ACS-1(info)(2010)%20Stateside%20English_web.pdf

Check it out. As you can read, these questions are invasive and personal.

When we received our ACS form, they started out by sending a boatload of mail including two census packets in the first month. After than we were subject to a MONTH of daily phone calls. Even if you tell them you are not comfortable with the questions, as we did, they still call—our latest incoming call came in at 9:40 p.m. We started to keep a log. After four weeks or more of telephone calls, including messages which informed us that we now have an assigned case number. When I spoke with a representative at our county offices (after I’d been referred there by Washington D.C., the senate, and the Justice Department) she told me she could not tell me whether or not to fill out the survey, but not doing so could involve heavy penalties. Now that the phone calls have ceased, I understand (from their handbook and a letter we received two weeks ago) that we are now eligible for a personal visit from a census employee who will endeavor to collect the answers to these questions.

Their letters say we are MANDATED by law to fill out this survey. Their “helpful” paperwork and brochures state there are penalties if I do not give them this highly personal and intrusive information up to five people living in my home, even if those people are not related to me.

PLEASE check this out. The health care controversy is overshadowing this equally important issue.

We have received the ACS and have refused to respond. Even though Congress allows this, it violates our Constitutional rights. Very, very invasive and much of the info you submit goes to marketing interests (who, by the way, even help make up the questions).
The Census Bureau DOES misuse the info you submit; have also lost, had stolen, or accidentally let your info become public. You will not be fined. They dare not; although they are allowed by Congress to threaten you with fines. Bogus fines, bogus threats, makes one wonder what else is bogus. Yes, we were harrassed for a bit. I told them I was perfectly aware of the marketing interest behind much of this “survey” and not to bother us again. That was a month ago.
Nothing.

I received the ACS twice in the mail and then they left several voice mails. Today I decided to take one of their calls. So you know what to expect, the call went like this:
ACS rep: “This is the US department of Commerce. How are you? Is this the lady of the house?”
I: “Yes”
ACS rep: “Have I reached the address at 1234 Street….?”
I: “Yes”
ACS rep: “We’re calling regarding the American Community Survey. You should have received the form in the mail…”
I: “Let me interrupt you right there. I have decided not to participate.”
ACS rep: “According to [here she cited several paragraphs of some legislation] this is mandatory.”
I: “I am not going to argue about this with you. If you want to pursue legal step then please do so.”
ACS rep: “I will send out a representative to the residence and then forward the case to the justice department. Have a good afternoon.”
I: “Ok. Good bye.”

Heavy bullying tactics! I’m curious to see what’s next. According to their website their “interviewers” get a 3 day training to deal with refusals. I have no interest to get into an argument with one of their trained monkeys. I’ll just stick to my “I don’t discuss this with you” line and see what happens. I’m normally a very cooperative person when my government asks me to do something. I’ve grown up in a European country and don’t have many fears about “big government”. However, even I think this survey is just insane. I read through their policies (all on the web) and the interviewer will actually ask anyone they’ll meet at your residence who is over 16 years old to provide information. Now imagine your teenager who you just grounded to be asked for a statement about your decision making capabilities…

I’ve gotten the first copy of this survey and a postcard reminding me to fill it out. I called the Rutherford Institute and was assured they will provide me with free legal representation should the CB DARE to fine/prosecute me in any way. All one has to do is plead the 4th and 5th Amendments under the Constitution. The statute passed by Congress okaying this outrageous survey does NOT override our Constitution, Bill of Rights, or Privacy Act of 1974. Stand firm.