I got a visit from a federal agent last night. Not law enforcement, but an official from the US Department of Commerce, specifically the Census Bureau. He was probably at the door to convince me that I needed to fill out the American Community Survey, which they sent to me twice, or to take down the answers himself. I never gave him a chance to speak beyond identifying himself.
I told him what I had told the last Census Bureau employee who called my home, I consider the ACS to be a gross violation of my privacy rights, I will never fill it out and any further contact either by phone or in person would be considered harassment. Apparently, the agent on the phone didn’t understand what I had said, for this other drone to be at my door. Perhaps when I slammed the door in his face the message came across.
Now one might ask why it is that I object to the Census Bureau doing its job? Because, frankly, it is not doing its job. Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution charges the House to make an enumeration of each state’s population, in order to determine the number of representatives that each state has in the House. The wording is quite clear.
The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.
Simple and to the point. Count the state populations, once every ten years after the first enumeration. My answer to them and the only information required, is the occupancy total of adults living in the home.
The American Community Survey is not only in violation of the ten year enumeration clause, as they are spoon feeding it out to about three percent of the population every year, but it requests data which is simply none of the government’s business! From the start, the questions are very personal and only get worse as you leaf through the 28 page document.
The first question which really stands out is asking for your name. Then your birth date.
The question immediately following asks if you have Hispanic, Latino or Spanish ancestry and if so, from where? Mexico? Puerto Rico? Cuba?
What is your race? White? Black, African Am., or Negro? American Indian or Alaska Native? Asian Indian? Chinese? Etc.
Once you get done filling in all this for each occupant of the home, the survey continues to probe into your housing affairs.
What kind of house do you live in?
How many acres of land does the house sit on?
In the past 12 months, what were the actual sales of all agricultural products from this property?
How many rooms does the home have?
How many of them are bathrooms?
Does this house, apartment, or mobile home have – Hot and cold running water? A flush toilet? A bathtub or shower? A sink with a faucet? A stove or range? A refrigerator? Telephone service?
How many automobiles, vans and trucks of one-ton capacity or less are kept at the home for use by members of this household?
Which fuel is used most for heating this home?
What is your monthly electric bill?
What is the yearly cost of water and sewer?
What is the yearly cost of oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc. for this home?
Do you own your home?
What is your rent or mortgage payment amount?
As if this wasn’t intrusive enough and clearly none of the government’s damn business, the personal questions about each household member becomes a nightmare of intrusive query.
For up to five members of the household, you are asked what kind of health insurance coverage you have.
Is this person deaf?
Is this person blind?
Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?
Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?
Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?
Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping?
What is your marital status?
In the past 12 months did this person get – Married? Widowed? Divorced?
How many times has this person been married?
In what year did this person last get married?
Has this person given birth to any children in the past 12 months?
Last week, did this person work for pay at a job or business?
At what location did this person work last week? (They ask for the full address!)
How did this person usually get to work last week? Car, truck or van? Bus or trolley bus? Streetcar or trolley car? Subway or elevated? Railroad? Ferryboat? Taxicab? Motorcycle? Bicycle? Walked? Worked at home? Other method?
What time did this person usually leave home to go to work last week?
It goes on, and on, asking about all sources of income, from Social Security to Veteran’s Compensation – requesting specific totals. If for one moment you might suggest that the information is anonymous, think again! They specifically ask for your full name at the beginning section and again for each individual personal survey section.
You can find an informational copy of this document at the Census Bureau, along with their claim, “Response to both is required by law.” See for yourself that I make no exaggerated claims on this document’s intrusive questioning.
The Census Bureau agent on the phone also claimed that I was required by law to fill out the ACS and send it in. I can believe that I am required to enumerate the members of my household for the standard ten year census, though I haven’t looked up the code. Perhaps they even have added the ACS to the required list. But a law which violates my right to privacy, in violation of the Constitution itself, is not a law I am willing to obey.
It’s called civil disobedience, and in the case of the American Community Survey, I feel such a treatment is perfectly validated.
