"The American Community Survey"

[Daniel Bryant]

Also better known as the census, and, oh happy day, I've been "selected" to "participate!"  Now, my first instinct is to toss this into the circular filing cabinet with the rest of the junk mail, but my lovely wife pointed out to me that it really would be best to understand what the repercussions of such an act might be.

So, I know it only comes around every ten years but can anyone tell me what I can reasonably expect to happen to me if I just don't fill this thing out?  Do they just ignore it, fine me, send people to harass me?  I would be particularly interested to hear of people who have refused in the past, how they went about it, and what happened to them.

[Ogre]

This is a nice story about the census.

My inclination is to write the number of people in your house on it, filling the entire page with the number, then return it.

[Checkpoint]

I have a webpage up regarding the American Community Survey that was prompted by my own encounter with a Census Bureau flunky a few years ago:

https://www.checkpointusa.org/Census/Census.htm

Basically, if you refuse to participate, they huff and puff for about 3 months then they go away to find easier prey.

If you're looking for all the gory details regarding what to expect if you don't comply, this link is full of personal accounts:

http://www.survivalarts.com/archives/001095.html

[Pat McCotter]

The American Community Survey is not "The Census." Like you say "The Census" comes around every ten years. The ACS is sent to 250,000 homes every month. It is then compiled into reports every year.

"The CENSUS" is now just a short form questionnaire and will be mailed out April 1, 2010.

[Daniel Bryant]

Hmmm... that is interesting.  So it's a survey from the Census Bureau but it's not "The Census."  That sounds specifically geared to getting around the constitution.  I can't say that I'm surprised.

[KBCraig]

Basically, if you refuse to participate, they huff and puff for about 3 months then they go away to find easier prey.

The Census Bureau is desperately trying to hire enough people to do their basic job. They have no budget for, nor hope of, actually enforcing their "rules" disguised as laws. That's why it's currently easy to call their bluff.

With a different political sentiment, especially if they should win funding for special prosecutors, they'll come down like a ton of PatKs. (That's about 5 PatKs, the last time I checked.)

[KBCraig]

Oh, and thanks for the links, Checkpoint. I'm glad to see you posting here. I love your videos and your activism.

[Mike Barskey]

I'm glad to see you posting here. I love your videos and your activism.

Ditto that!

[bile]

I've got my experiences with the ACS thoroughly documented here.

I followed it to it's absolute conclusion including calling them up at the end to question why they stopped perusing me.

They will harass but not prosecute.

[Kat Kanning]

They will harass but not prosecute.

You're gonna guarantee that, eh?

[bile]

As much as I guarantee the NYPD won't ticket you for jaywalking. I've yet to come across a confirmed story in which they have. I've found talkings of a couple anti-war protesters in the early 70's maybe being brought up on charges in addition to other charges and that's it. There are several quotes from politicians claiming the requirements are for show. The bureaucrats I spoke with also said that the data is only worth anything to them within 2 months of asking for it. After that they no longer pursue.

[Daniel Bryant]

Thanks, everyone.  It sounds like I'll be relatively safe just chucking this in the trash and not answering my door for people that I don't know.  Having said that, the question remains, what will my wife think of all that.  After all, even if the threats are just for show, they are pretty scary.

[Tom Sawyer]

Well, can they prove you received it in the mail and then willing refused to return it?

Kind of hard to prove that you did... passive resistance is a pretty safe route.

[Pat K]

Basically, if you refuse to participate, they huff and puff for about 3 months then they go away to find easier prey.

The Census Bureau is desperately trying to hire enough people to do their basic job. They have no budget for, nor hope of, actually enforcing their "rules" disguised as laws. That's why it's currently easy to call their bluff.

With a different political sentiment, especially if they should win funding for special prosecutors, they'll come down like a ton of PatKs. (That's about 5 PatKs, the last time I checked.)

Yes about 5 PatKs, though I can generate about a ton of force all by myself at speed.

[Kat Kanning]

Well, can they prove you received it in the mail and then willing refused to return it?

Kind of hard to prove that you did... passive resistance is a pretty safe route.

Just point to this thread?