The American Community Survey

[Beth]

Last week I received a letter from the Census Bureau that I had been "randomly" selected to fill out a questionnaire. Then a few days later I receive quite a bulky envelope with an EXTENSIVE survey.

It is not anonymous, and asks questions about education level, type of home, language, how much time I work, did I get married in the last year, asking about emotional/physical issues, and a ton more (48 in all). It is quite intrusive, in my opinion.

Has anyone else received this?

[Christie]

Not yet Beth. That's pretty disturbing to say the least.

[Lifebringer]

No, but they are trying to weed out who's on to them and redistricting to try and throw another election.

Crooks and liars, that's all they do. Crook and lie.

[sleepy]

xxxxx xxxxx

[Shezbeth]

This is only theoretical -

I would suggest that you can't be fined if you don't answer the door. If and when they call, you are not required to 'Be' the person whom the survey was assigned. Just a thought.

[Lord Sidious]

Last week I received a letter from the Census Bureau that I had been "randomly" selected to fill out a questionnaire. Then a few days later I receive quite a bulky envelope with an EXTENSIVE survey.

It is not anonymous, and asks questions about education level, type of home, language, how much time I work, did I get married in the last year, asking about emotional/physical issues, and a ton more (48 in all). It is quite intrusive, in my opinion.

Has anyone else received this?

How do you feel about doing it?

[sleepy]

[xxxxx xxxxx

[Beth]

How do you feel about doing it?

Haha, didn't say I was gonna ;)

Just wondering if anyone else has gotten it.

¤=[Post Update]=¤

And just to clarify, I'm not talking about the census of 2010. This is an EXTENSIVE survey.

[write4change]

Census is counting and obligatory. Survey is none of their business if you are not so inclined. Being a admin here I would think long and hard about it.

[Jean-Marie]

Wow ! I just looked it up and it says that if you ignore it you can be fined just like if you ignore the census. Here is the link to the Channel 5 report.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/american-community-survey-could-be-coming-to-your-mailbox

[Lord Sidious]

How do you feel about doing it?

Haha, didn't say I was gonna ;)

Just wondering if anyone else has gotten it.

¤=[Post Update]=¤

And just to clarify, I'm not talking about the census of 2010. This is an EXTENSIVE survey.

If this was me, I would write them a notice of demand telling them I would be more than happy to provide that info and my time, but it will cost them.
They won't enforce it on you.
However, you will go onto their list of people who won't play nice.

[Arrowwind]

Deny receiving it. Dont act like you didn't want to fill it out. If they come around deny receiving it. If you answer the door deny you are the person they are looking for. If they figure out who you are claim paranoid delusions, after all you do work for this sight right? Then file for SSI for mental disabiltiy ;) or you could just move. Belize is nice.

[shybastid]

Lord and write are correct... the census is 10 questions...that should be answered. The survey is voluntary and you should use caution if you don't want to share your personal opinion.

[Snowbird]

How do you feel about doing it?

Haha, didn't say I was gonna ;)

Just wondering if anyone else has gotten it.

¤=[Post Update]=¤

And just to clarify, I'm not talking about the census of 2010. This is an EXTENSIVE survey.

If this was me, I would write them a notice of demand telling them I would be more than happy to provide that info and my time, but it will cost them.
They won't enforce it on you.
However, you will go onto their list of people who won't play nice.

I'm already on that list.

And quite frankly Beth, if I had received one, I would light the fireplace with it.

[Lord Sidious]

Deny receiving it. Dont act like you didn't want to fill it out. If they come around deny receiving it. If you answer the door deny you are the person they are looking for. If they figure out who you are claim paranoid delusions, after all you do work for this sight right? Then file for SSI for mental disabiltiy ;) or you could just move. Belize is nice.

Never, never lie about it.
The best approach is to offer to meet them out in the street at midday for a shootout.
They won't come.
That is the equivilant of what I said above about invoicing them for your time, effort and other things.

[Arrowwind]

Deny receiving it. Dont act like you didn't want to fill it out. If they come around deny receiving it. If you answer the door deny you are the person they are looking for. If they figure out who you are claim paranoid delusions, after all you do work for this sight right? Then file for SSI for mental disabiltiy ;) or you could just move. Belize is nice.

Never, never lie about it.
The best approach is to offer to meet them out in the street at midday for a shootout.
They won't come.
That is the equivilant of what I said above about invoicing them for your time, effort and other things.

Gee Beth there's an option for you. Schedule a time for the shoot out so some of us can come and support you!
We could put a hidden gunner in a tree... if they don't come we'll celebrate at the bar for your victory over the
repressor.

[Lord Sidious]

Lord and write are correct... the census is 10 questions...that should be answered. The survey is voluntary and you should use caution if you don't want to share your personal opinion.

Hold up a second, I never said anything about having to do anything.
You seem to have forgotten who you are.
You are the source of power of those that say you have to follow their bidding.
Why?
Are you not THEIR masters?
Those dirty dogs, they make you think you are the servant.
Just so that you know, I don't vote, which is meant to be compulsory here, I don't pay tax, I don't use their lisence systems or any of that other rubbish.
Census?
Get outta here or it will cost you.
You know, they used to call my bluff before.
They don't now, they know I don't bluff.






How do you feel about doing it?

Haha, didn't say I was gonna ;)

Just wondering if anyone else has gotten it.

¤=[Post Update]=¤

And just to clarify, I'm not talking about the census of 2010. This is an EXTENSIVE survey.

If this was me, I would write them a notice of demand telling them I would be more than happy to provide that info and my time, but it will cost them.
They won't enforce it on you.
However, you will go onto their list of people who won't play nice.

I'm already on that list.

And quite frankly Beth, if I had received one, I would light the fireplace with it.

I am on many lists and I like it.
My enemies, who made themselves that, know who and what I am.
They also leave me alone.
I like to fly above the radar and be the biggest blip possible.
People ask me why.
You guys ever hear the story of the noisiest wheel getting the most oil?
I don't, I get ALL the oil.

[baggywrinkle]

How do you feel about doing it?


And just to clarify, I'm not talking about the census of 2010. This is an EXTENSIVE survey.

This represents a tangible opportunity to voice peaceful protest against an intrusive centrist government out of control.

When they tell you it is mandatory, you tell them you still have the right to remain silent under the fifth amendment.

Then exercise that right.

[Lord Sidious]

How do you feel about doing it?


And just to clarify, I'm not talking about the census of 2010. This is an EXTENSIVE survey.

This represents a tangible opportunity to voice peaceful protest against an intrusive centrist government out of control.

When they tell you it is mandatory, you tell them you still have the right to remain silent under the fifth amendment.

Then exercise that right.

That would insinuate that you would be incriminating yourself by doing their census/survey.
I wouldn't go down that path.
Requiring them to prove that you are obligated to do that, well that is another tactic as well.

[Peta Babkama Luruba Anaku]

Great thread.

*Please understand that the following story took place when I was young and foolish. I am no longer young.

I recall when I got a census a few years back here in Canada. I purposefully filled it with utter nonsense. I filled in each and every question with laughter and in the company of a couple of friends. It was a very nice to way to get through it. In the company of your close friends and over endless laughs. Questions such as my income bracket were exaggerated 20 fold. Everything was filled out without one iota of truth. Everything was the polar opposite.

I remember doing similar types of tests in public school and high school. Mine were always done in under 5 minutes and with my eyes closed some times swirling my pencil around and dropping it, and where it fill was my answer. I used to read question 3 and fill out the answer on question 1. If the stats show that Canada's educational system was behind other countries at that time, I would like to think I played a role in that statistic. I was forced to do these tests and I was one who did not take a liking to being told what to do under the threat of detention, suspension or a phone call home.

Back to the Census. I completed the final questions rolling on the floor laughing and sent it out the next day. About 2 or 3 months later I got a call. Lol. The census board/bureau were not pleased. They told me they would send someone over and that they would watch over me when I filled it out to completion and failure to do and without any more nonsense, I think they mentioned was a fine or possible jail time or both. Honestly I cant remember.

True to their word someone showed up. He was a stern no bull**** attitude type of guy. I couldn't help but laugh. I remember thinking ok fine, I am going to play his game my way. So as we prepared for our sit down I started to let a little saliva run down the side of my mouth and down my chin (again I was young and foolish I mean/meant no disrespect to anyone, except them). I proceeded to tell him I did not understand each and every question. I needed his help. There were points where I could see he was getting annoyed with me acting simple minded. The angrier he got the more I wanted to laugh. I had to get up two or three times because I was near hysterics. I used the excuse of needing to wipe away the saliva and proceeded to the bathroom to laugh it out of my system. I would walk back and just in view of him I had to turn back because I would start to laugh again. I wish that day more than any I had something to record the conversation with. Eventually I returned and after a long drawn out battle (which I knew I had no chance of winning) to finish and me playing the fool the entire time, it was done. Between you and me. I still didn't answer in complete honesty on about 70% or so of the questions. He wasted no time in gathering his stuff and bolted out the door. I yelled out "Please come back after the flood". He just kept going.

In conclusion Beth, have fun with it. I know I did.

[bluestflame]

present them with a list of questions of your own ~

[Beth]

Thanks for all the input so far, I appreciate it. :)

Has anyone else received this survey?

[sjkted]

I can't say. All of the mail I receive from them mysteriously disappears into the circular file. For the life of me, I can't tell or remember how it gets there.

--sjkted

[TWINNICK]

G'day,

They know who you are, I wouldn't be surprised if all the mods and admin get one to fill out(from the states I mean)

Standover tactics, perhaps you can find someone to get info and help from the inside, ask Bill if he can put you onto one of the wistleblowers who knows a lot about this stuff, maybe DR Bill Deagle or that lawer he knows...Ron Mcdonald.

Hell everybody feins illness when they want to get out of going to court, next time they come to the door to hassle you cough all over them and tell them you have a nasty infectious virus like bird flu.

There must be someone who knows how to get rid of them, good luck Beth.

..Nick..

[sjkted]

In the US, we have the fifth amendment which would be applicable here:

Self-incrimination

The Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves. To "plead the Fifth" is to refuse to answer a question because the response could provide self-incriminating evidence of an illegal conduct punished by fines, penalties or forfeiture.

Historically, the legal protection against self-incrimination was directly related to the question of torture for extracting information and confessions.

If indeed there is a law that states the form must be filled out, one ought to be able to claim the fifth amendment under each category and answer.

--sjkted

¤=[Post Update]=¤

There is also the case of them proving you actually received the letter.

Ask me how it is I've gotten to this age without ever serving jury duty :-)

--sjkted

[Ahkenaten]

In the US, we have the fifth amendment which would be applicable here:

Self-incrimination

The Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves. To "plead the Fifth" is to refuse to answer a question because the response could provide self-incriminating evidence of an illegal conduct punished by fines, penalties or forfeiture.

Historically, the legal protection against self-incrimination was directly related to the question of torture for extracting information and confessions.

If indeed there is a law that states the form must be filled out, one ought to be able to claim the fifth amendment under each category and answer.

--sjkted

¤=[Post Update]=¤

There is also the case of them proving you actually received the letter.

Ask me how it is I've gotten to this age without ever serving jury duty :-)

--sjkted

Perhaps you don't register to vote?

[sjkted]

Perhaps you don't register to vote?


Oh, God no. I would never vote to be enslaved.

Actually, I don't recall ever having received a jury summons letter in the mail. Sometimes I don't receive mail if it isn't certified.

--sjkted

[slipknotted]

can we say...... big brother wants in ?

[Lord Sidious]

In the US, we have the fifth amendment which would be applicable here:

Self-incrimination

The Fifth Amendment protects witnesses from being forced to incriminate themselves. To "plead the Fifth" is to refuse to answer a question because the response could provide self-incriminating evidence of an illegal conduct punished by fines, penalties or forfeiture.

Historically, the legal protection against self-incrimination was directly related to the question of torture for extracting information and confessions.

If indeed there is a law that states the form must be filled out, one ought to be able to claim the fifth amendment under each category and answer.

--sjkted

¤=[Post Update]=¤

There is also the case of them proving you actually received the letter.

Ask me how it is I've gotten to this age without ever serving jury duty :-)

--sjkted

I already covered the fifth amendment issue.
http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?15156-The-American-Community-Survey&p=157432&viewfull=1#post157432
And they may come out to serve you a copy if you claim you didn't get it.

The best form of defence is attack
I would always suggest taking the initiative from those that are antagonising you and use it to make them go away.

[Icecold]

One of the AIs probably put your name in the hat.

[sleepy]

xxxxxxxxxx

[Arrowwind]

Yes, you could also put down that 10 Mexicans live in your house, all unemployed. That would send more benefits to your county. Just think of it as your contribution to charity.