topic Re: Census flashbacks in Community Chat

Census flashbacks

Abrowneyegirl — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:00:44 GMT

I have been hearing more and more on the news about the 2020 census.

It gives me horrible flashbacks to the last census. We were randomly selected for the long-form census.

It was a small book! Most questions having multiple sections to fill out. Questions ranged from commute to work mileage, home value, retirement savings, etc.

I found it very invasive so I only filled out what I was comfortable with disclosing. After I submitted it I was plagued with near harassing phone calls and letters demanding more detailed financial information.

It was such an awful experience the thought of another census fills me with dread.

Re: Census flashbacks

KingstonsMom — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:22:56 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl

I worked for the census and what my team did was 'complete' incomplete forms.

Yep, we sat with No. 2 pencils and filled in unanswered questions ourselves, using the age old method of guesswork.

The census is ridiculously inaccurate and a complete farce.

Re: Census flashbacks

vsm — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 01:51:47 GMT

@KingstonsMomDid you ever report this to the authorities?

Re: Census flashbacks

Moonlady — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 02:36:03 GMT

Oh yes. DH and I were among the [un]lucky ones who were blessed about 5 years ago with the ACS--American Community Survey, the ridiculous pages-long, off-year survey.

And we didn't complete it. We'd already submitted the 2010 census form, and had NO intention of answering such intrusive questions. The idea is to send thousands of these out on a "rolling" basis every month. Of course, that insulates the CB from millions of people complaining at the same time, about receiving the snoopy, long census form.

Phone calls weren't a problem. (Isn't technology great?👍). But we did have to order census-takers off our property. They eventually learned just who the relentless ones were. (Hint: It wasnt them.) Oh, and we were never fined nor put in jail. Just as those who purport to have "filled in the blanks" weren't, either. 😉

Re: Census flashbacks

bathina — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 03:19:01 GMT

The census is a constitutional requirement. I have no issue being accounted for, nor do I have an issue answering the questions. But then again, I'm not a person who lives in fear of the government.

Re: Census flashbacks

Moonlady — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 03:25:34 GMT

@bathina...as I posted, we DID complete the census. You do have my sympathy about those in your orbit who, apparently, "live in fear of the government." (Obviously, that's not us 😃).

As for the ACS, if and when you receive it, have fun. We, OTOH, won't be playing their reindeer games.

Re: Census flashbacks

Lucky Charm — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 03:28:09 GMT

I can't remember ever filling out a census form. DH is asleep, I'll have to ask him if he did.

The problem could be that we live in two, sometimes 3 different states any given year. Next year, we may be adding a 4th state.

Don't even ask where our cars are registered!

Re: Census flashbacks

sunshine 919 — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 03:37:54 GMT

@bathina wrote:
The census is a constitutional requirement. I have no issue being accounted for, nor do I have an issue answering the questions. But then again, I'm not a person who lives in fear of the government.

I dont think its fear, if we just need to be accounted for then they should just need names and how many people in our household, why would they need financial stuff. I am sure many people do not fill them out at all.

Re: Census flashbacks

esmerelda — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 04:23:41 GMT

Not even names. Just how many. Knowing how many bedrooms are in my house gives them no information about how many live here. Nationality, gender, buy or rent...that’s not counting.

More information is asked for so more freebies can be justified and bestowed. That’s not the purpose of the census.

Re: Census flashbacks

Anonymous032819 — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 04:36:04 GMT

I consider it my proud American duty to fill out the census.

Afterall, where would we be if Mary and Joseph had decided to rebel, and not make their journey to be counted in the census?

Re: Census flashbacks

Nuttmeg — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 10:05:44 GMT

I received a long census form in 2010, and then other separate forms a bit later. I just filled them out and sent them back.

Being counted, may help your community get funds for schools, park or to replace aging roads and bridges.

Re: Census flashbacks

KingstonsMom — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 12:12:40 GMT

@vsm wrote:
@KingstonsMomDid you ever report this to the authorities?

The U.S. Census Bureau is who paid us to do the job of completing the incomplete forms.

Re: Census flashbacks

esmerelda — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:09:14 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:
I received a long census form in 2010, and then other separate forms a bit later. I just filled them out and sent them back.
Being counted, may help your community get funds for schools, park or to replace aging roads and bridges.

@Nuttmeg Thank you for making my point.

The only thing the census was created to “give” us is representation in the House of Representatives.

Re: Census flashbacks

esmerelda — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:13:17 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
@vsm wrote:
@KingstonsMomDid you ever report this to the authorities?

The U.S. Census Bureau is who paid us to do the job of completing the incomplete forms.

@KingstonsMom Your complaint should’ve been made to the inspector general of the US. Teachers in school districts were caught changing test grades for their students. And they were punished. Completing census forms for citizens without their knowledge IMO is far worse.

Re: Census flashbacks

CelticCrafter — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:24:10 GMT

JMO, all the census needs to know is how many people, that's it.

Not how much money you make, have saved, how many rooms in the house, how many bathrooms, etc...

Re: Census flashbacks

Financialgrl — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 14:34:25 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl Agree. I too only fill out what I'm comfortable providing. I know it's different from census but I'm extremely angry right now bc I turn 65 in April and I'm inundated with constant emails, phone calls, etc trying to get info - all saying they'll send me Medicare Part B costs/Medicare Advantage info for my area. I don't provide them info either.

The only info they need is your email, birthdate and zip code. Comments from people who have filled out all the info say they no sooner hit "send" and their phone began ringing nonstop and were just a bunch of aggregators. If I am using an insurance person I'll select one locally - and require that my name and phone number not be sold.

Re: Census flashbacks

Abrowneyegirl — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 15:05:36 GMT

@Nuttmeg @Bathina @Anonymous032819

I have no problem with being counted.

I do have a problem with disclosing every source of income, savings, investments and retirement plan we have. It was like filing our income taxes a second time!

The amount of detail for the long form is absurd and invasive. If it is so important EVERYONE should have to do it.

For those of you who do not mind to disclose every detail of your life perhaps you can volunteer for the long form. Get out your pencils and calucators!

Re: Census flashbacks

Abrowneyegirl — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 15:05:08 GMT

@Nuttmeg @Bathina @Anonymous032819

I have no problem with being counted.

I do have a problem with disclosing every source of income, savings, investments and retirement plan we have. It was like filing our income taxes a second time!

The amount of detail for the long form is absurd and invasive. If it is so important EVERYONE should have to do it.

For those of you who do not mind to disclose every detail of your life perhaps you can volunteer for the long form. Get out your pencils and calculators!

Re: Census flashbacks

Bri369 — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 15:20:35 GMT

I don't feel comfortable disclosing anything other than how many people live in the household.

Re: Census flashbacks

esmerelda — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 15:28:22 GMT

@Financialgrl Not surprised someone with your nic used the word “aggregators.” 😄😄