Census~required by law??

[Disneyland_Mama]

It's really quite simple. It is required by law that we fill out the U.S. Census - not to pick and choose which questions we feel like answering and which ones we don't. Some people feel the law doesn't apply to them. "I just don't think they need all that info" is a poor excuse for not following the law. Again, I will respectfully disagree and hold to my original opinion that there is no valid reason not to answer all the questions. I don't find vague, personal reasons (no real reason) a valid excuse.

On a side note, I have a question for any census workers following this discussion. What happens when you receive incomplete census forms? Do you go to the people's house to get the completed info?

I'm just jumping in here, but I do believe you are incorrect. The only part of the census you are required to fill out is the number of people in your household. If you read your brochure carefully, you will notice that you are required to complete the blue box. The rest is "optional".

I will ask my supervisor Monday, but I'm almost positive that my statement is correct.

 

[Wall-E1]

I'm just jumping in here, but I do believe you are incorrect. The only part of the census you are required to fill out is the number of people in your household. If you read your brochure carefully, you will notice that you are required to complete the blue box. The rest is "optional".

I will ask my supervisor Monday, but I'm almost positive that my statement is correct.

I don't know. Here's a copy (not the best quality) that I found online...
http://southernecho.org/s/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/census-questionnaire.jpg
It doesn't say anywhere that only one question is required.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I don't know. Here's a copy (not the best quality) that I found online...
http://southernecho.org/s/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/census-questionnaire.jpg
It doesn't say anywhere that only one question is required.

Notice how the 1st question is clearly separated from the other questions? Nowhere on the form does it say you need to complete the entire form, except for the number of people in the household.

People have their own reasons for not wanting to fill in all the information and that is their perogative. The Constitution does not state you must give them all your information, only that you participate in the census "count".

 

[mking624]

Notice how the 1st question is clearly separated from the other questions? Nowhere on the form does it say you need to complete the entire form, except for the number of people in the household.

People have their own reasons for not wanting to fill in all the information and that is their perogative. The constitution does not state you must give them all your information, only that you participate in the census "count".

The Census as a whole, not just what people choose to answer or any one particular question, is protected by Title 13. I'll quote what I posted earlier...

The law isn't only regarding the count. It also includes the refusal or neglect to answer questions as well as false answers. (Title 13, Chapter 7, Subchapter II)

 

[mnrose]

We're not paranoid and sent in the form. That said, the government is moronically run. The IRS as well as other agencies have info on everyone. They don't share this information so every decade they have to employ thousands of people paid with my tax dollars to obtain information they already have.
Dumb

Actually, they don't. There's no single agency that has all this information. Many people (my MIL for example) do not file tax returns and haven't in years. She doesn't make enough to have to file. And, what about the homeless? Should we just not count them? And, what about people who have multiple residences...they could get double counted in any method other than the census, and that wouldn't be good.

There might be a more efficient way to gather this information, but at the moment, they can't just cull it out of existing data bases.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

THe thing I didn't like so much (though I did fill it out) is that it asks my childrens names AND birthdays. Isn't something like Female age 10 enough? Do they really need to know her name and her exact birthdate?

Okay, so I was reading along mildly amused. Now I'm just mildly CONfused. Don't you think the government already knows your child's exact birthdate? Does she not have a social security number? A birth certificate? Have you never claimed her on your taxes? Enrolled her in public school? Taken her to the doctor?

And what heinous crime are they going to commit with this information anyway?

Okay, back to finish goggling at the next 8 pages or whatever...

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

The Census as a whole, not just what people choose to answer or any one particular question, is protected by Title 13. I'll quote what I posted earlier...

Apparently I stand corrected, but I'm curious about this Title 13 and what it all entails. Thanks for the info.

 

[Wall-E1]

Notice how the 1st question is clearly separated from the other questions? Nowhere on the form does it say you need to complete the entire form, except for the number of people in the household.

People have their own reasons for not wanting to fill in all the information and that is their perogative. The Constitution does not state you must give them all your information, only that you participate in the census "count".

I see how the first question is separated. This, however does not mean that the rest of the form is optional.

Here is the question page from the official government census web page...

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

After clicking on this link, look at the "Completing the 2010 form" section.

Click on "Do I have to fill the form in?"

The answer will read, "Yes. Respondents are required by law to answer all questions to the best of their ability."

 

[disney1990]

Failure to comply and send the forms back could be met with a fine. According to the 2010 Census.gov website,"Participation in the census is vital and required by law. Just as people are required to respond to jury duty, obtain a driver’s license in order to drive, pay their taxes and report their income, they also have the obligation to respond to the decennial census. Courts are authorized to impose a fine of up to $5,000 for failure to respond. However, the Census bureau views this approach as a last resort. rather than emphasizing or seeking the imposition of penalties, we encourage response by explaining the importance of the questions we ask and how the information benefits the community." That's when the Census Bureau sends a post card reminder.

If that doesn't elicit a response, a Census Bureau worker can legally come to visit up to three times, hanging their phone number from your door to schedule a visit.
What happens to my 2010 Census Answers?


Once you’ve filled out the 2010 Census forms or talked to a Census enumerator, your data is used in a dizzying array of places. Not only is the data used to determine congressional representation, it is also used to help allocate funding for roads, education, stimulus packages and more.

Census data is also used by financial institutions and businesses to determine expansion and business improvement plans. Everything from the population signs when you enter a city down to the new sidewalks in your favorite business district are determined by the Census. Depending on your locality, a single person providing the Census required answers can help allocate anywhere from $1,400 (in Wichita Falls) to $4,656 (in Washington, D.C.) for the city.

 

[Wall-E1]

Apparently I stand corrected, but I'm curious about this Title 13 and what it all entails. Thanks for the info.

A little off topic, but green peeps? Really? Are those good? I can see doing yellow or pink, but green? Are they lime flavored? I've never had that color.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

A little off topic, but green peeps? Really? Are those good? I can see doing yellow or pink, but green? Are they lime flavored? I've never had that color.

I'm an equal opportunity Peep eater.

There are so many more colors now... purple, orange, green, blue and of couse the old school yellow and pink and they all taste the same.

 

[disney1990]

I'm an equal opportunity Peep eater.

There are so many more colors now... purple, orange, green, blue and of course the old school yellow and pink and they all taste the same.

Me too. They all look pretty sitting in my hot chocolate.

 

[Wall-E1]

I'm an equal opportunity Peep eater.

There are so many more colors now... purple, orange, green, blue and of couse the old school yellow and pink and they all taste the same.

To me they all have different flavors, although I think it is my brain tricking my taste buds according to what color I am seeing. For instance, I feel that blue leaves an icky after taste. I have always had my suspicions that if I was blindfolded, I wouldn't be able to tell one color from another. (I guess this topic would probably fit better in that conspiracy thread.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not only is your participation required by law, you are constitutionally obligated.

From the census FAQ



and



If you don't send it back. A census worker will come to your house and take your information. If you refuse to give it to them, you are in violation of the law.

I don't get what the big deal is. The entire thing takes less than 10 minutes. Just fill the dumb thing out and go on with your life.

Okay, fine. You convinced me.

It took me less than two minutes to open, complete, insert, and seal.

Now, if someone wouldn't mind sending me a PM every couple of days, reminding me to mail it...

 

[IDoDis]

I agree, we don't know who will be handling these forms, I don't just any no name Joe knowing the names and birthdays of my kids. All you ever hear is don't give out detailed into on your kids, and what does our beloved govt do? They ask for it. But they won't get it from me.

Your kids have SSN#s correct?

You or your DH filed tax returns each year to the government, correct?

You have to input this info on your tax forms each year to take the child tax credit, right? You have to put child's name, DOB, and SSN, correct?

I just don't get what the big stink-a-roo is about. People who don't fill out the forms or don't fill them out completely just increase the cost of getting the info which in turn increases all of our taxes. You are already filling out the same info on your tax returns each year. The census actually asks for less info than your tax forms do because you don't have to put the SSN on the census form.

 

[disney1990]

Okay, fine. You convinced me.

It took me less than two minutes to open, complete, insert, and seal.

Now, if someone wouldn't mind sending me a PM every couple of days, reminding me to mail it...

What are you waiting for, put it in the mail tomorrow? Or can you put it in your mailbox today and put the flag up?

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

To me they all have different flavors, although I think it is my brain tricking my taste buds according to what color I am seeing. For instance, I feel that blue leaves an icky after taste. I have always had my suspicions that if I was blindfolded, I wouldn't be able to tell one color from another. (I guess this topic would probably fit better in that conspiracy thread.)

 

[disney1990]

I agree, we don't know who will be handling these forms, I don't just any no name Joe knowing the names and birthdays of my kids. All you ever hear is don't give out detailed into on your kids, and what does our beloved govt do? They ask for it. But they won't get it from me.

Yes, don't give out detailed information to every Tom, Dick and Harry. But, this is the U.S. Government. If you don't give out the information, then Census workers will be visiting your home, calling your home and knocking on the doors of your neighbors to get the names and ages of your children. Because that is their job and the information in required by law. This is the information that is given to county and state government (statistical only -- not detailed) so that they can provide enough schools, roads, senior centers, etc.

I don't know about your area, but here our kids can't even play on sports teams without providing a birth certificate and giving it to them is a whole lot less secure than government workers that have been fingerprinted and had a background check. Census workers are required to lock up all information at all times. They can't leave it in their cars or in their homes. Within 48 hours it must all be turned back in.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Yes, don't give out detailed information to every Tom, Dick and Harry. But, this is the U.S. Government. If you don't give out the information, then Census workers will be visiting your home, calling your home and knocking on the doors of your neighbors to get the names and ages of your children. Because that is their job and the information in required by law. This is the information that is given to county and state government (statistical only -- not detailed) so that they can provide enough schools, roads, senior centers, etc.

I don't know about your area, but here our kids can't even play on sports teams without providing a birth certificate and giving it to them is a whole lot less secure than government workers that have been fingerprinted and had a background check. Census workers are required to lock up all information at all times. They can't leave it in their cars or in their homes. Within 48 hours it must all be turned back in.

Just because the Census worker is REQUIRED to lock up all information at all times doesn't mean he/she will lock it up. Before you give the Census worker any info, I would ask to see the so called lock up method he/she is using.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know you were not talking to me, but I did not send in a census in 2000, didn't get one, and no one came to my house

Same here. On the other hand, it would have come right around the time that my mom died, and the only memories I have are of pain pain pain pain sadness grief and pain, so who really knows what might have come in the mail back then.