Census Bureau...Say What???

[BigFrank]

Well, apparently if you do not fill out your Census Form ( me ) they send someone to your house. Which by the way, I'm kinda sorta paying for. Odd.

The conversation was pretty one sided ( me saying no to everything ). My question is, do I really have to do this? I tossed the form out, and I really do not want to answer any questions. The polite girl said she will be returning tomorrow. She told me it's mandated by the constitution that I answer these questions. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

[md4958]

not sure what the big deal is... the form i got had basic questions like how many people in my household, ages, race, etc.

Id rather fill out the form than have to deal with somebody coming to my home. :2

[lightning9191]

not sure what the big deal is... the form i got had basic questions like how many people in my household, ages, race, etc.

Id rather fill out the form than have to deal with somebody coming to my home. :2

:tpd: They would probably stop bothering you....unless you don't want her to...then I guess you can play hard to get.

[DPD6030]

See here -------> http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30134&highlight=cenus

[Blueface]

See here -------> http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30134&highlight=cenus

I was going to post that thread of mine but you beat me to it.

I ultimately just conceded, filled it out and moved on.
I hope they don't verify it.:r

[replicant_argent]

A census "employee" stopped in front of our house Saturday. I say "employee" because she is probably being paid good money by me to move her considerable bulk at a VERY slow snails pace, but I digress.
She then oozed out of her car and waddled up to the neighbors (whom I call the Terrorists) house across the street. They didn't, of course answer their door after the Census Superfluous Worker waited for 5 minutes or so, knocking every minute or two. I told my wife as I watched this that it was probably a process server or a census worker. When she finally gave up, she sludged across the street and started asking my wife questions about them. My wife wasn't able to answer much, since they are so insular and arrogant, they do not interact with their neighbors (we are but low caste infidels, you see ;) ) She was tempted to tell the gal that the reason they didn't fill out the census was that they were probably afraid of the information being shared with ICE.

[bobarian]

Well, apparently if you do not fill out your Census Form ( me ) they send someone to your house. Which by the way, I'm kinda sorta paying for. Odd.

The conversation was pretty one sided ( me saying no to everything ). My question is, do I really have to do this? I tossed the form out, and I really do not want to answer any questions. The polite girl said she will be returning tomorrow. She told me it's mandated by the constitution that I answer these questions. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Yes. You are required by the US Constitution to provide certain basic information to the Census Bureau.

not sure what the big deal is... the form i got had basic questions like how many people in my household, ages, race, etc.

Id rather fill out the form than have to deal with somebody coming to my home. :2

:tpd: I agree with Moe. What's the big deal?:tf

[mosesbotbol]

I was suprised how little detail the census collects. My girlfried is Miss Privacy, but in the end, they already have this information and more on us. No big deal for me to answer their questions.

It seems we are more guarded about giving the government personal info than we were 10 and 20 years ago.

[Starscream]

If you don't answer the questions, eventually they will have a sheriff's deputy escort the census taker to your house and stand there while you answer the questions. I mailed my form off weeks ago.

[DPD6030]

ICE isn't going to care! On a side note I had an illegal and called them. He was in custody on a misd. charge and they didn't want him. So why are we paying ICE to protect our borders? Apparently if they make it in and all the way to MI they an stay. I say hell no, send them back!

[The Poet]

Or just send them from MI to AZ, and let THEM take care of it! :r

As for the census, so what? I'd rather have the government know that I exist than treat me like I don't.

[Tripp]

My mother is a census taker.

[Ashcan Bill]

I've actually looked up quite a bit of census info from a hundred and fifty years ago while doing genealogy research.

You never know but someday your great great grandkids may want to know something about you. The census records might be their starting point.

[loki]

i lost my form, i think my cats used it as a plaything...dunno where it went. worker came twice, I wasn't home. Once I was herfin, second time I was getting my mac worked on, third time we were home. Wife took care of it.

[replicant_argent]

You never know but someday your great great grandkids may want to know something about you. The census records might be their starting point.

I was thinking that the world might be a better place if my gene pool dried up. ;)

[0002S]

YES IT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION TO HAVE A CENSUS:

The U.S. Constitution empowers the Congress to carry out the census in "such manner as they shall by Law direct" (Article I, Section 2)

LAW YOU WILL BE VIOLATING (not a constitutional law) IF YOU DO NOT ANSWER:

13 U.S.C. § 221 : US Code - Section 221: Refusal or neglect to answer questions; false answers
Search 13 U.S.C. § 221 : US Code - Section 221: Refusal or neglect to answer questions; false answers

(a) Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or
willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any
other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce
or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the
Secretary or authorized officer, to answer, to the best of his
knowledge, any of the questions on any schedule submitted to him in
connection with any census or survey provided for by subchapters I,
II, IV, and V of chapter 5 of this title, applying to himself or to
the family to which he belongs or is related, or to the farm or
farms of which he or his family is the occupant, shall be fined not
more than $100.

(b) Whoever, when answering questions described in subsection (a)
of this section, and under the conditions or circumstances
described in such subsection, willfully gives any answer that is
false, shall be fined not more than $500.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no person
shall be compelled to disclose information relative to his
religious beliefs or to membership in a religious body.

[Barcode]

It is a count and nothing more. I had a Census worker stop by my house on Saturday and he ask me why I did not turn in my form and I told him that I actually did turn in the first of 3 forms that I received. He then said that they did not receive it and wanted to ask me a few questions. I told him that was fine and that there were 3 people living in my house. He then asked me if he could get my name and I told him NO. He seemed shocked that someone would actually tell him no, he then asked me again if he could have my name and again I told him NO. He thanked me for my time and left. I did have a copy of the Constitution sitting next to the door just in case but I did not need it.

[bobarian]

It is a count and nothing more. I had a Census worker stop by my house on Saturday and he ask me why I did not turn in my form and I told him that I actually did turn in the first of 3 forms that I received. He then said that they did not receive it and wanted to ask me a few questions. I told him that was fine and that there were 3 people living in my house. He then asked me if he could get my name and I told him NO. He seemed shocked that someone would actually tell him no, he then asked me again if he could have my name and again I told him NO. He thanked me for my time and left. I did have a copy of the Constitution sitting next to the door just in case but I did not need it.

You can expect another visit. Why would you post your name in a public forum but not give it when required by law? :rolleyes:

[markem]

If people really believe that the census is so onerous or is somehow against either the US constitution or federal law, they always have the right to renounce their citizenship and move some place more to their liking.

I'll help them pack.

[timo]

It is a count and nothing more. I had a Census worker stop by my house on Saturday and he ask me why I did not turn in my form and I told him that I actually did turn in the first of 3 forms that I received. He then said that they did not receive it and wanted to ask me a few questions. I told him that was fine and that there were 3 people living in my house. He then asked me if he could get my name and I told him NO. He seemed shocked that someone would actually tell him no, he then asked me again if he could have my name and again I told him NO. He thanked me for my time and left. I did have a copy of the Constitution sitting next to the door just in case but I did not need it.
I'm with you. The census is a count.

[icehog3]

They don't get any information that anyone couldn't get with about 3 minutes work on the internet, so why stress it?

[mariogolbee]

ICE isn't going to care! On a side note I had an illegal and called them. He was in custody on a misd. charge and they didn't want him. So why are we paying ICE to protect our borders? Apparently if they make it in and all the way to MI they an stay. I say hell no, send them back!

Are you talking about the illegal Irish Andrew?

For all of you whom do not want to take the census I hope you're not in California. The census determines how many seats each state gets in the HoR among other things.:2

[lightning9191]

They don't get any information that anyone couldn't get with about 3 minutes work on the internet, so why stress it?

Shhhh....their watching us right now. :tf

[RGD.]

They don't get any information that anyone couldn't get with about 3 minutes work on the internet, so why stress it?

Exactly.


. . . The census determines how many seats each state gets in the HoR among other things.:2

In addition to road funds, hospital, municipal, school planning, etc etc.



Ron

[T.G]

I did have a copy of the Constitution sitting next to the door just in case but I did not need it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-5kpyD4cE

[Sauer Grapes]

I filled mine out back in March... I moved two weeks ago and apparently the census workers are a little too slow to figure out that people move in and out of apartments year round. I've been visited twice now in the new apartment, and I stated the same thing, that I just moved in and that I filled it out where I used to live. Told them to check with the management office to figure out where the former resident is (they actually asked me where the former resident was, as if I'd know). I'm expecting a third visit. If that happens, I won't be happy.

[wolfandwhisky]

If people really believe that the census is so onerous or is somehow against either the US constitution or federal law, they always have the right to renounce their citizenship and move some place more to their liking.

I'll help them pack.

ha ha ha... one way cruises and airfare can be paid for with the tax funds that originally went to taking their census info :r:r:r

[Ratters]

Yes. You are required by the US Constitution to provide certain basic information to the Census Bureau.



:tpd: I agree with Moe. What's the big deal?:tf

I filled out number of people, sex, ages, and sent it in right after I got it. Haven't seen anyone at the door yet.

If they want any other information they can just check my facebook page.

:tf:=:

[BC-Axeman]

Are you talking about the illegal Irish Andrew?

For all of you whom do not want to take the census I hope you're not in California. The census determines how many seats each state gets in the HoR among other things.:2
:r I think most of the rest of the country would agree they need fewer Californians in HoR.

[BC-Axeman]

In addition to road funds, hospital, municipal, school planning, etc etc.

Stuff they only need to count numbers for.

I don't care if they get my name, birthplace, occupation and other data but asking for race is racist. It automatically assumes there is a difference and reinforces it with govn't policy. To be truly race neutral you need to stop categorizing. I have three of their "races" in me. If I'm supposed to pick the highest percentage one then the Prez should have picked "white" so that must not be the way. I usually go with the Cherokee one because they have been here the longest.

[kydsid]

Stuff they only need to count numbers for.

I don't care if they get my name, birthplace, occupation and other data but asking for race is racist. It automatically assumes there is a difference and reinforces it with govn't policy. To be truly race neutral you need to stop categorizing. I have three of their "races" in me. If I'm supposed to pick the highest percentage one then the Prez should have picked "white" so that must not be the way. I usually go with the Cherokee one because they have been here the longest.

I agree. I wrote in Other - "Human". I figure if they ever come to ask they'll get copies of all the anti-discrimination training I had to take because the government is not supposed to use race, religion, sex or disability in their decisions. :rolleyes:

[Subvet642]

Yes. You are required by the US Constitution to provide certain basic information to the Census Bureau.

Actually, no. All the Constitution says about the matter is: Article I, Section 2, Clause 3: "...The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative;..."

All the Constitution requires is that the population be counted for the apportionment of representitives in Congress, nothing more.

[Barcode]

I think what really pisses me off is the fact that the IRS, the Social Security Dept, Dept of Veterans Affairs all have all of my info and NONE of these people can talk to each other. The country has a 13 TRILLION dollar debt yet we are paying people to go around and gather info the they already have. Not to mention how much money did the Census spend on the ad campaign to tell you to fill out your Census, and why did I get 3 forms???????

[mosesbotbol]

Stuff they only need to count numbers for.

I don't care if they get my name, birthplace, occupation and other data but asking for race is racist. It automatically assumes there is a difference and reinforces it with govn't policy. To be truly race neutral you need to stop categorizing. I have three of their "races" in me.

I agree. The whole race thing is a bunch of BS. I am a quarter "African", but the US Government does not count N. Africa as African for entitlements.

I wonder if it would count if I had black skin? What about white descendents from "Black Africa", would they be African American? The whole thing stinks from our racist heritage and is just so antiquated. All of the races, sexes, and creeds in our nation have accomplished as much as can be acomplished. Time to move on. -(P

[kaisersozei]

At least you don't have to ride a donkey all the way back to Bethlehem.

[Starscream]

At least you don't have to ride a donkey all the way back to Bethlehem.

:r

[loki]

At least you don't have to ride a donkey all the way back to Bethlehem.

then why do people calling me a jackass?

[markem]

then why do people calling me a jackass?

because YOU were ridden all the way to Bethlehem. Different situation all together. :r ;s

[Lear31MX]

If people really believe that the census is so onerous or is somehow against either the US constitution or federal law, they always have the right to renounce their citizenship and move some place more to their liking.

I'll help them pack.

Amen brother!!! :tu

[Lear31MX]

To much Glen Beck will do that to a guy.:D

[MajorCaptSilly]

Had kind of a weird thing happen last night that was all about the Census. I actually filled out my Census form and sent it back within a week of receiving. I then had a message on voicemail last night from the Census Bureau where a very firm-voiced woman said I was required to call an 866 number to verify my Census answers. I was also given a case number. I called the 866 number and was immediately connected to a gentleman who had a distinctly non-North American accent. He first asked me to verify my address. Now I was a little skeptical at this point so I asked him to verify that he was indeed working for the Census Bureau. He read off the Ammendment and gave me his id number, etc. I said that was great but that he should know who he is talking to based on the case number and that I would like for him to verify my address vs the other way around. He did so and I verified my name and that I was the person who filled out the Census form. He then proceeded to ask me every question I already answered. It took a little more than 10 minutes and was no big deal but very interesting. I then sat down and had a good cry as it was 8:30 PM and "cry time", taught my cats some Latin, and counted the amount of spaghetti noodle in a box.

MCS

[MiamiE]

Just fill out the paper!

[Texan in Mexico]

That's great, I really enjoy the old Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns.

Census time down here turns into a circus - its great fun to see them filling out the forms on their own.
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[BC-Axeman]

My cats instinctively know Latin and Sanskrit.