US Census American Community Survey

[allisji]

I got a letter in the mail from the US Census Bureau. They indicated to me that I am required by law to participate in their survey. So I did. I did a google search and found a politifact article that indicates that no one has been prosecuted since 1970 for failing to comply with the survey. I complied, but I'm curious if anyone else has gotten the survey and refused to participate.

[ScottDLS]

First the "Man" take away my money, then my dignity, now he come for my 'senses'...

[Liberty]

I thought the census was every 10 years in years ending in 0. If you didn't sign for it or there were no witnesses that you opened the envelope, you didn't get it.

[Soccerdad1995]

Yes, as I understand it, this is one of the exceptions to the amendment that prohibits forced labor.

[bblhd672]

Drain the swamp to do list item number 12,345,290!

The government has no business asking how many toilets are in my house, or a bunch of other stuff they ask on this survey.

[ScottDLS]

Yes, as I understand it, this is one of the exceptions to the amendment that prohibits forced labor.

Along with the draft, which has been interpreted to be authorized in Article I under Congress' authority to raise Armies.

[Jusme]

Drain the swamp to do list item number 12,345,290!

The government has no business asking how many toilets are in my house, or a bunch of other stuff they ask on this survey.

You could always answer 0 and let them figure it out.

[bblhd672]

Drain the swamp to do list item number 12,345,290!

The government has no business asking how many toilets are in my house, or a bunch of other stuff they ask on this survey.

You could always answer 0 and let them figure it out.

Or 20, they didn't ask how many are actually connected to the plumbing. Maybe I collect toilets!

[allisji]

the questions that they asked included the names of all residents in my home. When my home was built, how many rooms my home has, how many are bedrooms, how much could my home sell for, how much do I pay in property tax, how much homeowner's insurance, how many cars we have, how much money we all make, whether or not we get any government assistance, how much education we've all had, how we get out medical insurance, whether or not anyone is disabled, etc.

my finances, etc, are pretty simple and it took me about 30 minutes probably to complete. I didn't look up my exact wages, or my exact property taxes and homeowners insurance and all of that. I just estimated it all and rounded to the nearest 1000 or so.

[2farnorth]

Could one plead the 5th amendment to such invasive inquirees?

[Soccerdad1995]

Yes, as I understand it, this is one of the exceptions to the amendment that prohibits forced labor.

Along with the draft, which has been interpreted to be authorized in Article I under Congress' authority to raise Armies.

Yes, that is another example.

Of course, you get paid for your time after being drafted (albeit not as much as the job is worth, IMHO). This is different in that it is no-pay involuntary servitude.

[Abraham]

It takes a shredder 30 minutes?

[anygunanywhere]

It takes a shredder 30 minutes?

Thread winner!!

[mayor]

It takes a shredder 30 minutes?

Not even - my shredder can process 16 sheets at at time in under 30 seconds.

[imkopaka]

Not to revive a dead thread, but I got my notice in the mail a few weeks ago. After doing some research, I have elected not to do the survey. The survey itself is invasive and unconstitutional, and a Supreme Court ruling from the 1890's (which has not been overturned) specifically forbids this sort of government demand for information. I have been informed by others who have chosen not to participate that I can expect home visits from census bureau agents who will harass me until I comply or they give up. So when they come I will inform them of my decision not to participate, instruct them to leave my property, and remind them that failure to immediately do so is a violation of Texas Penal Code 30.05 - criminal trespass (if I am understanding it correctly it would be a class B misdemeanor in this case). If they are not gone in 30 seconds, I will call the police. I have heard of them messing with people's internet security, sneaking around to the backyard and looking in windows, and other forms of stalking. I do not intend to play around with them.