The American Community Survey (Census)
My residence received this survey in the mail and has since received reminders and threats of penalty if the residence does not mail the completed form back as soon as possible after receiving it.
I find the questions to be intrusive and I don't want to answer them and I don't want to participate in this survey but I'm being threatened by the government. I am not aware of what punishment I'm going to get if my residence fails to cooperate, but I am left with a sick to my stomach feeling about it. I don't think it is the government's business about how or what I heat my home with and how much I spend on electricity every month. Nor do I believe it is the government's business if I have and use hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, a bathtub or a shower, if I have a stove or a range, a refrigerator, or a line line phone or a cell phone. I don't think it is the gov's business to know how much I spend on water, electricity, and gas (and oil, kerosene, and wood) in a month and a year. And why do they want to know how much I THINK THIS HOUSE AND LOT, APARTMENT, OR MOBILE HOME would sell for, IF it were for sale?? <----Yes, the "survey" is full of questions like that.
If I have a bachelor's degree, the gov wants me to tell them what my ancestry or ethnic origin is.
Personal questions? Yep those too. Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, dressing, bathing, hearing, am I deaf? Blind? What year did I last get married? Did I do any work for pay LAST WEEK? Yes? WHERE, WHAT LOCATION? When did I last work, even for just a few days? How many weeks did I work in the PAST 12 MONTHS? On and on and on...
Does anyone know the penalty for their "residence" not completeing the survey form and mailing it back? As far as I can tell 'they' only have my residence... they will only know my name and who I am IF I fill out the survey and mail it back.