The "American" Community Survey

Two months ago I received a survey in the mail from the Census Bureau.  It is called the American Community Survey.  Along with the survey I received multiple letters telling me that this was a MANDATORY survey and there would be legal ramifications if I did not fill it out completely and honestly.  After two months of threatening letters and harassing phone calls I finally filled out the survey and sent it in this morning.  Just yesterday the Census Bureau called my house 5 times. From what I understand after the phone calls don't work they send government agents to your home to get the answers from you and they even harass your neighbors for information. It is extremely private information I had to give such as if I gave birth last year, what countries my ancestry originates from, if I work, how much I earn, and what time I leave to and from work. As well as what disabilities I suffer from and if I am capable of making my own decisions.  I can't tell you how infuriated and violated this entire process had made me.  The government worker on the phone told me that if I refused to answer it was the same thing as me not pulling over if a police car was attempting to pull me over.  I found out that they can fine you $100 for each question not answered totaling $5000 in the end.  Unfortunately I do not have the means or energy to fight such a battle now but I hope one day that I can.  The picture collage is of the 5 separate phone calls I received from the Census Bureau yesterday on a SUNDAY.

After the 5th phone call at 7:36 PM on a Sunday I called the government back in a rage.  I called them communists and asked why they were harassing me.  Anyway the best the worker could do was put a 5 day hold on the phone calls and workers showing up at my house to give me time to put the survey in the mail.  This entire process has exhausted me, caused me a great amount of angst, and caused me to seriously doubt the direction of this country.   I would have liked to continue fighting against the bureau but I honestly didn't have the energy, and that seems to be their game plan.  You can google it and find blogs and news stories of people paying thousands of dollars in fines.  Hopefully one day I can have the strength and means to fight such a social injustice. In the mean time the best I can do is spread the word, write my senator and use social media to the best of my ability. Hopefully I can take a break from thinking about it and enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas.