Reminder: Fill out your Census... or be fined.

[guyver01]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22860013/detail.html

While reading the above article.. the following caught me by surprise.

When asked if people can be fined or sent to jail for failing to answer the questions, Hellfritz said, “Not jailed, but technically there is a fine ($100) because it’s a mandatory survey.”

But he added, “It’s not in our interest to fine anyone. It’s not something that we pursue.”

but.. if they decided to pursue (like.. when the government needs cash?) .. you could be fined.

 

[SearchMaster]

Number of people in my household: 5

There, that's my census answer.

 

[her209]

Number of people in my household: 5

There, that's my census answer.

I took a quick look at the census. It's more involved than that.

EDIT: Off the top of my head, they wanted to know the number of people in the household. They also wanted to know the name and race of each person in the household.

 

[SearchMaster]

Yeah but by law, you're only required to answer one question, and that's what they get from me.

 

[TwiceOver]

It was quick and easy. Already done.

 

[SP33Demon]

Yep it's mandated by the Constitution. Do your duty.

 

[jaha2000]

Under race i checked the box for other and wrote in American...

Take that!

 

[HannibalX]

No one has ever been fined for not completing their census data.

This is mostly because the government doesn't really have a way to prove you didn't fill out the form and mail it and that they don't have a legal basis for requiring you to answer such a form in the first place (outside of how many people are in the household).

 

[dullard]

I just can't understand those people who fight the census. Fighting it only costs our country (and us taxpayers) money. Fighting it gains you nothing and harms our ability to address the countries issues. Plus, it takes only ~2 minutes per person.

The only question that could negatively affect the census filler is the one question that is required by the constitution: how many people live there. That question can negatively affect a person if it boosts the population in a state that opposes that person politically.

But, there will always be the stubborn conspiracy-theory idiots who will fight on.

 

[BoomerD]

Mine's already filled out and in the return mail.

While I think some of the questions are bullshit, (4 separate categories for Hispanic?) I still support the census and how it's generally used.

 

[HannibalX]

I just can't understand those people who fight the census. Fighting it only costs our country (and us taxpayers) money. Fighting it gains you nothing and harms our ability to address the countries issues. Plus, it takes only ~2 minutes per person.

The only question that could negatively affect the census filler is the one question that is required by the constitution: how many people live there. That question can negatively affect a person if it boosts the population in a state that opposes that person politically.

But, there will always be the stubborn conspiracy-theory idiots who will fight on.

What conspiracy specifically are you referring to? I haven't heard anyone claim there is a conspiracy behind the census. I have heard people say that it's none of the government's business. Those are two entirely different things.

 

[dullard]

What conspiracy specifically are you referring to? I haven't heard anyone claim there is a conspiracy behind the census. I have heard people say that it's none of the government's business. That are two entirely different things.

Here is a partial list:
1) The information will be used against you legally (ie an alien will be deported or someone will a warrant for arrest will be found)
2) The identifying information will be leaked (ie the government will sell or leak your important information)
3) The information is violating your privacy (ie that the information will be used against you)
4) The census is big brother collecting and preserving all data possible about you.
etc.

 

[techs]

What conspiracy specifically are you referring to? I haven't heard anyone claim there is a conspiracy behind the census. I have heard people say that it's none of the government's business. Those are two entirely different things.

Here is a partial list:
1) The information will be used against you legally (ie an alien will be deported)
2) The identifying information will be leaked (ie the government will sell or leak your important information)
3) The information is violating your privacy (ie that the information will be used against you)
etc.

I'm more concerned with giving Monoprice my credit card number.

 

[SearchMaster]

Here is a partial list:
1) The information will be used against you legally (ie an alien will be deported or someone will a warrant for arrest will be found)
2) The identifying information will be leaked (ie the government will sell or leak your important information)
3) The information is violating your privacy (ie that the information will be used against you)
4) The census is big brother collecting and preserving all data possible about you.
etc.

I refuse to answer more than my constitutional requirement because, as Hannibal said, it's none of their damn business. I'm so freaking sick of the government reaching into every area of my life...leave me the hell alone, do the absolute minimum that the Constitution specifies, and stop trying to grow like a goddamned south park succubus.

 

[HannibalX]

Here is a partial list:
1) The information will be used against you legally (ie an alien will be deported or someone will a warrant for arrest will be found)
2) The identifying information will be leaked (ie the government will sell or leak your important information)
3) The information is violating your privacy (ie that the information will be used against you)
4) The census is big brother collecting and preserving all data possible about you.
etc.

Exactly how are those conspiracies? A conspiracy assumes that the initial action (ie, conducting the census) is specifically for a certain reason which isn't being disclosed. I haven't heard anyone advocating that. I think the collection of the data in and of itself is being done for an honest reason BUT:

1.) Census data has been used against people legally in the past despite the government's claims it will not be.

2.) Government computer systems have been hacked in the past including the FBI and IRS and the government has lost lots of confidential data in the past through hard drive theft and laptop theft. The claim that census data is "safe" in government databases is questionable.

3.) We know government employees in the past have sold sensitive data to private companies and even governments ranging from nuclear engineering data to financial data. How can you say 100% that no one in the government will misuse the data?

I don't see any conspiracies here, just legitimate concerns based on prior events.

 

[lupi]

Number of people in the household and it goes back in the mail.

 

[Gibson486]

I was filling mine out last night. WTF? They ask what your race is? And they even have a special section for Spanish people....

 

[SandEagle]

threw away my census form.....doh

 

[darkxshade]

The census is racist... there I said it!

 

[rudder]

Number of people in my household: 5

There, that's my census answer.

That is all you need to say for the most part. But not doing so costs the government something like $20 to send someone to your house.

 

[Daverino]

If you don't like the Constitution, then I suggest finding another country that suits your tastes better.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I took a quick look at the census. It's more involved than that.

EDIT: Off the top of my head, they wanted to know the number of people in the household. They also wanted to know the name and race of each person in the household.

Not much.

 

[shadow9d9]

Under race i checked the box for other and wrote in American...

Take that!

Wow! You joined an idiot internet bandwagon and want to feel special for being a moron!

 

[oogabooga]

Man the internet will get up in arms about anything wont it? I don't get why filling out how many people live in a house and mailing it back are suck a big deal.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Here is a partial list:
1) The information will be used against you legally (ie an alien will be deported or someone will a warrant for arrest will be found)
2) The identifying information will be leaked (ie the government will sell or leak your important information)
3) The information is violating your privacy (ie that the information will be used against you)
4) The census is big brother collecting and preserving all data possible about you.
etc.

The government already knows everything there is to know about you. The major corporations and probably some other governments already know everything there is to know about you. Your privacy was violated the day you were born and every day thereafter.

All you have is the illusion of privacy and filling out the census destroys that illusion leaving you feeling cold and naked under the bright lights of reality. Just hope they don't turn on the fire hose again.