American Community Survey
Sorry. It's American Community Survey. That's what I get for hurrying ...
American Community Survey
I never sent the survey back, even though it clearly states the survey must be returned, under penalty of law, and that if I didn't reply "a representative of the Census Bureau will visit this residence." And if I didn't answer all the questions "a Census Bureau rep would be contacting me to obtain the missing answers."
So I bided my time. Last Friday, I came home to a letter stuck in my door with the name of a Census Bureau rep who added "Please call me ASAP". I ignored it. The next day, my doorbell rang and I ignored it again. This time the rep left a letter that states "I'll keep returning to your home until I receive a response."
Now I was worried. So I called her Saturday and she said we could complete the survey over the phone. She said if I was not comfortable giving an answer, I could just say "I don't know." Completely contrary to the instructions. But OK.
So she asked me my name. I replied "I don't know." She asked for my initials, I gave her false initials. She asked me a series of questions from the survey, of which 95% of my responses were "I don't know."
When we were done, I asked her what purpose this survey served since I gave her virtually NO useful information and her response was "I don't know. I get paid based on the number of people I contact."
Now I'm not a political person, and I'm not anti-government strongly, but this whole effort was a ridiculous waste of time and MY money. I don't need to be threatened by my government and was wondering if anyone else has had an experience like this. The ACS has been in place since the late 1990s, but I never heard of it, and no one I talked to has ever been contacted. But a Google of it shows a number of anti-government people are infuriated by it. I can't find any instance of anyone being punished for not answering.
I'll be in touch with my Senator and Congressman.