Census 2010

Blueface · 03-22-2010, 04:41 PM

Maybe it is me and what I do for a living that makes me uneasy when someone asks for my name and date of birth.
Why is the census asking for that?
Since when is this a process to attach a name to a statistic?
I can see asking my age.
I can see asking information about individuals in my household as they have a valid address to whom they mailed it to. However, it was mailed to "RESIDENT" and I feel it should stay that way.
They are not going to get that from me.

Here is the kicker, can we have your phone number in case we don't understand the answers. These freaking questions are as basic as 1+1.

Am I being too paranoid? I never participated in any prior census so wouldn't know what others have been like before. Curious to hear from those that have.

Emjaysmash · 03-22-2010, 04:44 PM

I almost applied to be a census taker this year. They were full up.

The census has always seemed to me like a harmless survey. Believe it or not, there are people who are too dumb to understand people's answers, or residents give answers that have nothing to do with the question being asked.

I think you'll be okay.

hotreds · 03-22-2010, 04:45 PM

My wife went ahead and filled it out. She didn't want these guys coming and knocking on our door. I had suggested she put "other" for "race" and write in "American" but again, she just wanted to get it over with and not have to deal with people calling her or knocking on her door.

So, if you don't fill it out, you'll be pestered until they get their answers.

Blueface · 03-22-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

I almost applied to be a census taker this year. They were full up.

The census has always seemed to me like a harmless survey. Believe it or not, there are people who are too dumb to understand people's answers, or residents give answers that have nothing to do with the question being asked.

I think you'll be okay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotreds

My wife went ahead and filled it out. She didn't want these guys coming and knocking on our door. I had suggested she put "other" for "race" and write in "American" but again, she just wanted to get it over with and not have to deal with people calling her or knocking on her door.

So, if you don't fill it out, you'll be pestered until they get their answers.

Why would they need my phone number? I am giving them 555-555-1212.
Why would they need my date of birth? Wouldn't my age suffice for the statistics collected by the census?
My name could have been secured from tax records. They had to have found my address somehow.
I just find it all wicked.

forgop · 03-22-2010, 05:21 PM

IIRC, I don't think you have to answer ALL of the questions on the survey, or at least there has been some debate about what information is legally required or not. I'm going to research and will only be answering the info required by law.

NCRadioMan · 03-22-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Am I being too paranoid?

No. All they need to know is how many live in your home and maybe what age they are. Any other questions should be ignored, imo.

Emjaysmash · 03-22-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Why would they need my phone number? I am giving them 555-555-1212.

I would assume to clarify answers to questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Why would they need my date of birth? Wouldn't my age suffice for the statistics collected by the census?

Because the Govt. would rather you do all their work, rather than having to use their powers of subtraction. Things like this could be used for studies and such, or for people looking for ancestry documentation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

My name could have been secured from tax records. They had to have found my address somehow.
I just find it all wicked.

hotreds · 03-22-2010, 05:55 PM

While I agree that some of the ? are none of their beeswax, if you don't answer them, they'll pester you until you do, either by calling or visiting. Why do you think they hired all those workers- to go after those that don't fill out their forms or don't answer all the questions- by knocking on doors. Frankly, the questions really didn't bother me all that much- not like ten years ago when you got sent a book and they asked you about the number of bathrooms in your house and other stuff that REALLY had nothing to do with a census.

So, to avoid further contact, I'd suggest to swallow hard and just fill it out and send it in.

PS: I know that there are plenty of folks that are talking about what you "legally" have to answer etc, etc, but, bottom line, to avoid further contact with these people you might just as well answer the questions and be done with it.

Emjaysmash · 03-22-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotreds

While I agree that some of the ? are none of their beeswax, if you don't answer them, they'll pester you until you do, either by calling or visiting.

LOL. They sound like Thompsons Cigars.

FWIW, I'm glad I am not employed by them. I really wouldn't like pestering them.

cort · 03-22-2010, 06:01 PM

G G · 03-22-2010, 06:09 PM

Well next they'll want to know how many firearms you have in your household.

hotreds · 03-22-2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emjaysmash

LOL. They sound like Thompsons Cigars.

FWIW, I'm glad I am not employed by them. I really wouldn't like pestering them.

I think Thompson was one of the classroom teachers.

Commander Quan · 03-22-2010, 06:19 PM

My answers for 2-10 represent the truth, but are not my own personal information.

Blueface · 03-22-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotreds

While I agree that some of the ? are none of their beeswax, if you don't answer them, they'll pester you until you do, either by calling or visiting.

Hugh,
Dave posted this on my profile.
This is funny stuff!!!
I think this is what I will do if they show up at my doorstep because I didn't answer all the questions.
It is Christopher Walken on an SNL skit about the Census.
http://www.flixxy.com/christopher-wa...night-live.htm

G G · 03-22-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

My answers for 2-10 represent the truth, but are not my own personal information.

nice

Rabidsquirrel · 03-22-2010, 06:33 PM

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/questions.php

Quote:

According to Title 13, Chapter 7, Subtitle 2, anyone who willfully gives an answer that is false could be fined up to $500.

For those of you worried about your information, you better stop using the internet immediately. You leave more information about you on the internet than the government gets by filling out a survey.

Blueface · 03-22-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rabidsquirrel

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/questions.php

For those of you worried about your information, you better stop using the internet immediately. You leave more information about you on the internet than the government gets by filling out a survey.

I was going to ask, what about leaving it blank and here is the answer. $100 fine.

Sec. 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.

I am close to being back in Cuba.

G G · 03-22-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

I am close to being back in Cuba.

Scary aint it?

Rabidsquirrel · 03-22-2010, 06:55 PM

Seriously? You're willing to leave the country over having to answer how many people are in your house?

Col. Kurtz · 03-22-2010, 06:56 PM

I just bit the bullet and filled it out. That information is readily available to whomever wants it anyway.

Have you seen the information available via google maps and whitepages.com?

No biggie if you ask me. I would be concerned if I thought anyone in our government was smart enough to correctly assemble and use the information.

Now, come on cvstoms. Release my packages.

03-22-2010, 04:41 PM	#1
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Census 2010 Maybe it is me and what I do for a living that makes me uneasy when someone asks for my name and date of birth. Why is the census asking for that? Since when is this a process to attach a name to a statistic? I can see asking my age. I can see asking information about individuals in my household as they have a valid address to whom they mailed it to. However, it was mailed to "RESIDENT" and I feel it should stay that way. They are not going to get that from me. Here is the kicker, can we have your phone number in case we don't understand the answers. These freaking questions are as basic as 1+1. Am I being too paranoid? I never participated in any prior census so wouldn't know what others have been like before. Curious to hear from those that have. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

03-22-2010, 04:44 PM	#2
Emjaysmash The Hebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: M.J. Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 7,025 Trading: (76)	Re: Census 2010 I almost applied to be a census taker this year. They were full up. The census has always seemed to me like a harmless survey. Believe it or not, there are people who are too dumb to understand people's answers, or residents give answers that have nothing to do with the question being asked. I think you'll be okay. __________________

03-22-2010, 04:45 PM	#3
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,658 Trading: (63)	Re: Census 2010 My wife went ahead and filled it out. She didn't want these guys coming and knocking on our door. I had suggested she put "other" for "race" and write in "American" but again, she just wanted to get it over with and not have to deal with people calling her or knocking on her door. So, if you don't fill it out, you'll be pestered until they get their answers. __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

03-22-2010, 05:21 PM	#5
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: Census 2010 IIRC, I don't think you have to answer ALL of the questions on the survey, or at least there has been some debate about what information is legally required or not. I'm going to research and will only be answering the info required by law.

03-22-2010, 05:55 PM	#8
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,658 Trading: (63)	Re: Census 2010 While I agree that some of the ? are none of their beeswax, if you don't answer them, they'll pester you until you do, either by calling or visiting. Why do you think they hired all those workers- to go after those that don't fill out their forms or don't answer all the questions- by knocking on doors. Frankly, the questions really didn't bother me all that much- not like ten years ago when you got sent a book and they asked you about the number of bathrooms in your house and other stuff that REALLY had nothing to do with a census. So, to avoid further contact, I'd suggest to swallow hard and just fill it out and send it in. PS: I know that there are plenty of folks that are talking about what you "legally" have to answer etc, etc, but, bottom line, to avoid further contact with these people you might just as well answer the questions and be done with it. __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

03-22-2010, 06:01 PM	#10
cort ◤◢◣◥ Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gary Posts: 4,478 Trading: (41)	Re: Census 2010

03-22-2010, 06:09 PM	#11
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,701 Trading: (10)	Re: Census 2010 Well next they'll want to know how many firearms you have in your household.

03-22-2010, 06:19 PM	#13
Commander Quan Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Derrick Location: Canton, OH Posts: 966 Trading: (4)	Re: Census 2010 My answers for 2-10 represent the truth, but are not my own personal information.

03-22-2010, 06:55 PM	#19
Rabidsquirrel Moderately Confused Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pennsylvania, US Posts: 576 Trading: (5)	Re: Census 2010 Seriously? You're willing to leave the country over having to answer how many people are in your house?

03-22-2010, 06:56 PM	#20
Col. Kurtz Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jerry Location: South Appleton Posts: 1,839 Trading: (26)	Re: Census 2010 I just bit the bullet and filled it out. That information is readily available to whomever wants it anyway. Have you seen the information available via google maps and whitepages.com? No biggie if you ask me. I would be concerned if I thought anyone in our government was smart enough to correctly assemble and use the information. Now, come on cvstoms. Release my packages. __________________ Artillery Lends Dignity to What Would Otherwise Be a Vulgar Brawl