August 05, 2005

A few days later the survey arrived with instructions and an 800 number to call if I needed any help. The letter went on to tell me that the data would be used to decide where new schools, hospitals and fire stations are needed and that the data will be used by communities to plan for emergency situations. They went on to tell me that my answers will be kept confidential and that I am required by law to complete the survey.

Already I have a problem with the survey. I have been told two different reasons why the federal government needs this data and who was going to get it.

I checked the United States Code of Regulations. It stated that congress, with the help of the bureaucrats, passed legislation that they needed a mid-decade census. My deduction was that this survey was needed because the bureaucrats wanted to justify having all the employees around after the ten year census was completed. A ten year census is required by the United States Constitution.

History lesson: The census that is required by the United States Constitution is to count the population for the purpose of determining the members of the House of Representatives for your state. That is all that is required, population count, nothing more.

When I received the survey back in 2000, I told them that there were two people living at the resident, nothing more. When the "enumerator" came to my door and told me that I did not complete the survey and that he was there to complete the form, I told him what the Unites States Constitution stated and that he was not going to get anything more from me. He look at me like, "How dare you question the needs of the United States Government". He told me that I was required by law to fill out the form. I told him that the United States Constitution was the law of the land and closed the door. I never heard anything after that.

Side Note: A number of years ago, I was told by people who worked part time for the Census Bureau that they would fill out the form themselves, without input from the residents. They told me that people were not at home, people would not answer their doors or the domestics did not speak English. The enumerators were only permitted to work during the day, but they had to get the forms filled out, no questions, just do what you are being paid for.

I read the U.S. Code that was referenced in the letter and all it told me was that congress told the Census Bureau that they were required to conduct the mid-decade census. There was nothing else in the regulation and I found no reference stating that I, repeat I, had to fill out anything.

Then I had the shock of a lifetime. I read the survey form that they sent me. I would like to list all of the stuff that they wanted but space will not permit it. Let me give you some of the highlights of the survey.

Resident's (main): name, age, relationship to, race, etc.

Housing: what kind of resident, when built, value, taxes, utility cost, property taxes, insurance, plumbing, mortgage payment, etc.

Residents (all): where they worked, what they did, income, schooling, student information, transportation, number of vehicles, birthing, etc. This data was requested for everyone who was living at the residents. I was going to add my dog, cat and the komodo dragon.

As I read the survey, I felt that this was far too much of an invasion of my privacy and what the US Government needed to know about me and anyone who lived in this "free" country that we live in. The brochure that was enclosed with the survey stated that the data collected was confidential. It also stated that Census Bureau employees take an oath to protect this data and that they could face prison/ fines if they violate this oath. When was the last time that ever happened?

According to the US Code, the data would/ could be shared with congress and other agencies that requested it. In turn, according to the brochure, the government would share this data with states, counties, cities, communities and companies to help with jobs, businesses, etc. That tells me that these governments and private business would use this data in order to get grants, loan and other US Government assistance.

I gave a lot of though to the survey, the data that the government wanted and how much of an invasion into my private life that this survey was. I feel that the government has too much info on me as well as other people in this country. I think that the government, federal, state, county, city, have too much data on all of us. Data that is none of their business. What can I do to stop this invasion of my life???

We all get requests for information from all sources and we think that it must be given without question. A good example was when I changed insurance companies. I drove the agents crazy because I questioned most of the things that she wanted. Some she could justify and some she could not. Then she started to question why the company needed some of the information the company wanted. I have planted the seed and the tree is starting to grow.

If I had my way and if I could, I would erase all the data that all governments have on me, my family, everyone and anyone.

What I do, where I go, how I go, what I earn/ don't earn, what I own, etc. This is nobodies business but mine. As long as I do not harm anyone or take what is not mine, I have a right to be left alone. That right was given to me by my creator.

The Census Bureau will mail out hundreds of thousands of these forms and most of the people will complete them and not ask any questions because it is the government, "they are right and why would they misuse the data that is collected. " RIGHT!!

The government, any government, is not our friend. Just ask the Native Americans, Randy Weaver, any Branch Davidian, and anyone who has been treated unfairly by any government, any time, any where.

Welcome to Orwell's 1984. Papers Please!!

(Editor's note: Increasing government intrusion into our most private lives grows daily and the next "census" may well be a watershed event, hopefully waking people up to the growing menace and setting off meaningful resistance. We must each decide for ourselves where we will draw the line in the sand, but we must understand that we will not be able to rely on the protections of the US Constitution. This government has demonstrated repeatedly that they will not be bound by it or anything else.

The time is fast approaching when we will be forced to choose between resistance and slavery, liberty and death.)