Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
Thousands of census workers, including many temporary employees, are fanning out across America to gather information on the citizenry. This is a process that takes place not only every decade in order to complete the constitutionally-mandated census; but also as part of the continuing “American Community Survey” conducted by the Census Bureau on a regular basis year in and year out.
What many Americans don’t realize, is that census workers — from the head of the Bureau and the Secretary of Commerce (its parent agency) down to the lowliest and newest Census employee — are empowered under federal law to actually demand access to any apartment or any other type of home or room that is rented out, in order to count persons in the abode and for “the collection of statistics.” If the landlord of such apartment or other leased premises refuses to grant the government worker access to your living quarters, whether you are present or not, the landlord can be fined $500.00.
That’s right — not only can citizens be fined if they fail to answer the increasingly intrusive questions asked of them by the federal government under the guise of simply counting the number of people in the country; but a landlord must give them access to your apartment whether you’re there or not, in order to gather whatever “statistics” the law permits.
In fact, some census workers apparently are going even further and demanding — and receiving — private cell phone numbers from landlords in order to call tenants and obtain information from them. Isn’t it great to live in a “free” country?
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1,749 comments Add your comment
Jan
May 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
This entire thread represents to unrest and distrust that prevails in this country right now. The Census has been conducted for decades and has never been an issue in the past.
We are headed for trouble.
misinformation - 5
May 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom”
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Lady Mondegreen
May 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
Ktwoll–I was not arguing about whether or not someone might claim a hallway or stairwell as their residence. I was referring to the ambiguity of the language, which seems to be vague about whether the census worker may enter only the spaces outside the rented space, or the rented space itself.
But let’s say a homeless person was using a stairwell in an apartment building as his temporary domicile. In that case, regardless of the intended meaning of the language, the squatter would not have the right to refuse “entry” to “his” appropriated space, since he probably never made any agreement or contract with the building owner or manager. Even if he had, the space is still a common area accessible not only to the paying residents, but to any public official, including census workers.
MUHAMMED ATTA
May 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
They came to my door, I opened it and announced that he appeared to be a colored child molestor, and that he should go have sexual intercourse with himself. then I tased him and allowed the neighborhood cats to spray on his convulsing body. or something like that.
misinformation - 6
May 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom”
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Mike
May 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
It only stands to reason that the Obama administration is also disregarding our Fourth Amendment protection against illegal search and seizure, which was adopted as a response to the abuse of the writ of assistance, which is a type of general search warrant, in the American Revolution. Search (and/or arrest) should be limited in scope according to specific information supplied to the issuing court, usually by a law enforcement officer, who has sworn by it. In fact, the Supreme Court has also ruled that certain searches and seizures violated the Fourth Amendment even when a warrant was properly granted.
FOURTH AMENDMENT:
‘The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.’
This actually happened to a college instructor friend on mine . . .a census worker showed up at her door and she gave the necessary information. Afterward, the worker began asking many other question that became invasive. My friend told the worker to leave and and the worker stated to her that he worked for the government and did not have to leave.
My friend called police and the “government worker” left only after trying to argue with police who then ordered the census taker off the property.
Southern Steve
May 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
JEANNETTE , give up after 4 tries? No you don’t. Two years ago I was sent one of those off year census forms, the one with multiple pages and 100+ questions. I ignored it since the Constitution only requires a headcount every 10 years. For months I was called at least twice a day. Allhours morning and evening. They left messages but I ignored them. One Saturday, about three or four months and hundreds of attempted phone calls later, I had a phone call and it did not say “US Census”. I reluctantly answered and it was a census worker who was at my front gate (my house sits way back off the road). She asked if she could come in but I explained that I was on my way to an appointment. She said it would only take a few minutes so I opened my remote gate opener and let her in. Over an hour later she was finished asking some very personal questions, most of which I answered “none of your business”. JEANNETTE , are you sure you quit after 4 tries?
misinformation - 7
May 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom”
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
ron
May 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Here;s an Idea! Send all those census workers to the border line them up and have them ask for information from the millions crossing our border ILLEGALLY!
Nitram
May 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
I would welcome a census worker coming into my home thinking I was not there. I could give them a 9mm welcome or perhaps a .45acp welcome or maybe a .40sw welcome and if I really want to welcome them I’d give a 12ga welcome. It’s good to have choices. MMMMM…good.
misinformation - 8
May 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Windwarrior
May 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
As a census worker employed in the midwest, I must rebut this post. Census workers are expressly prohibited from entering a housing unit, even if invited it. True, gated communities and apartment complexes must allow census workers access to the housing units, but they are not allowed to enter without the occupant present.
As far as the questions, you probably have more “intrusive” or personal info on your face book page. The questionaire asks for the number of people living at a location as of Apr 1st, their names, gender, age, birthdate, race, and if they consider themselves of hispanic origin, and if the housing unit is owned or rented. Anyone can refuse to answer any particular question, or not to answer the the form at all.
ron
May 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Wouldn’t this fall under illegal search and seizure? Violation of Constitutional rights.
Susanna Smith
May 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
I am sickened by the threats against census workers that are posted here. What do you people think you are doing? Who do you think you are calling thugs and goons? Some older folks, students and other unemployed people trying to make a buck by upholding the Constitution of the USA? A lady from the census came t6o see me. I had already mailed mine in but I guess it was late in arriving. All it took was 5 minutes to answer the questions. I have nothing to hide. She was really nice and to think that this lady is now being labeled all kinds of horrible things by you ignorant idiots who don’t bother to check things out is disgusting. Get a life. Go threaten someone of your own ilk. Isn’t it against the law to make threats against the life of others? If it isn’t, it should be. Mr. Barr is doing us a great disservice but writing such rot.
bobby62914
May 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
Boortz said it best; “Bob, you ignorant slut…”
William
May 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
I don’t always answer my door. I really feel sorry for a poor temporarily employed census worker who comes into my house without my permission. Sorry, I have no way of knowing who you are, and by entering my property without invitation it’s an invitation for the Taurus Judge to do the talking. My family’s safety comes before the stupid intrusive census.
Billy Jo Bob Jim Bob
May 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
Go, Mr. Barr! Census workers are are searching our homes at night and delivering our secrets to ACORN. They work for the freemasons in conjunction with the new world order! If you don’t give into their demands, you will be placed in a FEMA camp. Glenn Beck is a genius. The south shall rise again!
Mike
May 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
Yehuda, you are the best guy on here. Your comments are direct and spot on. I will research the enumeration of Jews by myself for my own satisfaction. Thank you.
Joe Schmo
May 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
@ Nitram
It’s sick that you so obviously fantasize about killing people. Here’s hoping you get those anger issues checked out!
Bryan
May 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
Bob, This article is plain wrong. I am currently working for the census and your statements have no merit to what we were trained to do.
misinformation - 10
May 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
excop
May 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
As a matter or record, Census workers, or anyone else for that matter, are perfectly welcome to enter my home at any time I’m not there. I’ve absolutely no objections. However, they just might have to explain their presence to my four Great Danes plus my Rottweiler. Those guys are pretty possessive!
Mike
May 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
Census Workers. We understand that you are trained not to enter people’s homes. You do not need to repeat yourselves.
misinformation *
May 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
The Ghost of Spalding Smails' Booger
May 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
Myth: “@ Southern Steve
Us liberals were concerned with the Patriot Act and the suspension of Habeus Corpus.”
Fact: The Patriot Act passed 98-1-1 in the Senate and got 313 votes in the House. That looks pretty bipartisan to me. And it’s amazing that the dems have been able to pass it off as a Republican atrocity.
I also guess you were asleep at the wheel when he House Democrats voted to extend the Patriot Act this past February.
Jeff Johnson
May 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
Joe, you “liberals” are the people who have forced upon us an eroding of our freedom and our morals. You only care about the Patriot act because you want “license” to practice your particular brand of immorality, and you admire the anti-USA terrorists. Hence, NAMBLA, USA Communists Party, CAIR, ACLU and similar organizations paid for by liberals.
Tell you what partner. If you don’t think you or the government have the right to invade someones home or privacy, then you don’t have to worry about getting shot. You are not going to take away a persons right to self defense. We don’t give a damn what you think. But if you want to take away our guns, at least have to balls to knock on my door yourself than cowardly send a “government worker” down to do your dirty work.
But you won’t defend you family. What you are going to do is squeal to 9-11 when you hear a bump in the night, then sue the police department for punching the rapist during the arrest. What you call “rights” are not rights at all. Try focusing on the right to privacy, self defense, and pursuit of happiness. Notice I did not mention free health care…
jeepguy
May 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
I am truly amazed, let me get this right the constitution states the government most conduct a census every ten years and come hell or high water you will be counted. The constitution also says I have the right to keep and bear arms but if I walk around my neighbor with a gun on my hip the cops will be called in a New York minute. Again please seek the original meaning that the founders had for the census and if you need further information GO FISH
misinformation * 1
May 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Jan
May 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
Mike – just trying to balance the comments….
troy
May 27th, 2010
10:15 pm
Let them enter and let me catch them in the act when they leave and i have beaten them half to death it would be there word against mine. Census worker you claim my client physically assulted you. Yes your honor when he came home and caught me in his home. Your honor could the cesus worker please prove that my client did this and could you please show me the warrant that allowed you to enter my clients house. Your honor I move for this case to be dissmissed on the grounds that my clients forth and fifth amendment rights were violated. Case dissmissed.
misinformation * 2
May 27th, 2010
10:15 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
misinformation * 3
May 27th, 2010
10:16 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
misinformation * 4
May 27th, 2010
10:17 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Retta
May 27th, 2010
10:17 pm
Instead of fear mongering, try something constructive: outlining census reform. The USPO is having to close facilities because of decreased mail. Why not merge the USPO and other agencies–perhaps including Census Bureau,Department of Immigration, Bureau of Statistics etc.–all people tracking agencies into one Citizens Bureau (and, by attrition, cut the government payrolll– and, using change of address notices which, for primary residences would be required, require periodic reporting of statistics only (w/o names). This information is spread over various computers for people here legally anyway–and if you don’t believe this info is already in a multitude of computers–gov’t and private, your a wee bit simple minded. [driver' license/state photo ID; schools; voter registration, birth certificates, jury lists, deed records, car titles, taxing authorities...; then there is the multitude of private computers--business of every possible ilk] Those who oppose a mandatory national ID and/or uniform state photo ID with the mistaken belief that their privacy would somehow be more protected without one are, also, a wee bit simple. I am able to support a national photo ID because the potential threats from people we, as a nation, don’t even know are here grows with each days influx of illegals and because of the jobs issues AND becauseI know I’m not doing anything for which I should be ashamed or arrested. It is the paranoid and guilty that oppose ID’s. The only way to stop the tide of illegals is to stop the hiring of them and stop providing government services to them and the only way to do that is to have a way to verify citizenship. If the illegals are not hear, they will need no services and there will be no need to count them. With a running numbers total being kept by consolidated agencies, neither the inconvenience nor the massive money investment to count the law abiding citizens every ten years will not be necessary
Jimmie
May 27th, 2010
10:17 pm
I have been a Census Enumerator for about 6 weeks now. Extremely interesting.
I am finding out just how good I have it when I see so many unfortunate people.
The only problem I have had is some people’s attitude because they lack the knowledge
just how the Census helps them, and oh the women that answer the door’s in just
there towel’s
misinformation * 5
May 27th, 2010
10:18 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Jim
May 27th, 2010
10:19 pm
Bob and the readers who believe this trite are nothing but uninformed suckers. This is a 100% complete fallacy. Please, educate yourselves before you make such ignorant and dumb opinions on politics and the government.
misinformation * 5
May 27th, 2010
10:20 pm
Taiwan pays someone to keep track of each household in a few block area on an ongoing basis.. all move in’s and move outs are recorded.. that is what we need.. very smart…
Giles Otter
May 27th, 2010
10:20 pm
I’ve read in the paper that several citizens have been shot by agents of the governmental police state for refusing to answer questions and for doing so by brandishing their 2nd amendment rights. I guess that they will no longer be counted. A census worker appeared at my door, despite my having sent in the form. She wanted to know what drugs I used and how often I used them. As an otter, whose diet is mostly crawfish and frogs, I am concerned about the drugs which they have absorbed. In any case, she decided that I was too old to be of use in the study. Gotta swim.
No Sources?
May 27th, 2010
10:20 pm
This surely false and certainly not journalism; otherwise, Barr would have cited something. He’s probably just confusing “entrance to the grounds” with “entrance to your apartment”. People need to chill.
misinformation * 6
May 27th, 2010
10:20 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
B-Man
May 27th, 2010
10:21 pm
I’m in the Metro Atlanta area and mailed my census form in 4 days after i rec’d it. Two times I have been left the “census notice”. As for the blog post, I could really care less what Bob Barr has to say about anything (i didn’t even read the article), but it really is somewhat creepy, as well as annoying.
Why is this annoying or creepy to me?
Other than the fact that some total stranger has apparently been knocking on my door to ask me personal questions that I have already answered? I’m 46 and this is the 1st time in my life that any type of Gov’t worker (at any level) has knocked on my door and left notes. My father, who is 72 sent his census form in (as he always has) also got a visit from a census worker. My father is a good and patient man so he gladly answered the questions. But, at 72, it was the first time in his life that something like that had happened. Creepy.
I really don’t mind helping out with the census, which is why i mailed my form in, And if I’m ever actually at home during a visit I suppose I will answer them again. But, If I have to do this in-person thing, I may opt to ask the census worker for their ID. And no, I’m not talking about your census ID. I may ask for your DL and have you wait while I make a copy. I figure if you (the census worker) have my name, address and phone number, and there’s nothing creepy about it, then you wouldn’t mind if I had your personal information as well? If you think of it those terms, it probably becomes somewhat creepy to you, yea?
At the end of the day, and at it’s very best …it’s uncomfortable.
misinformation * 7
May 27th, 2010
10:21 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
jeepguy
May 27th, 2010
10:21 pm
Jimmie- exactly how does it help them?
E.numerator
May 27th, 2010
10:23 pm
I like Bob Barr generally, but I’m damn glad to have my temporary census job and I am not allowed to cross your threshold. If you get huffy, I am supposed to walk away and write down “refused to answer questions” and fill out more paperwork. This time, Bob is reading the law incorrectly. Much like almost everyone is “misreading” or “not reading” Arizona SB1070.
Rowdy
May 27th, 2010
10:23 pm
Actually, this is not true. In fact in the census bureau training manual, census takers are told NOT to enter a dwelling for their own safety. Plus, when a person of “sworn authority” ie: LE wants to enter your house without permission, they must have a search warrant. Do you really think every census taker has a fist full of blank search warrants? Under the United States Constitution, only the FIRST question is required to be answered. This is a HEAD count…not a data collecting service. However, people are intimidated into giving in to these little storm troopers and spewing forth all manner of information. Just say NO!
“To the poster who characterized census workers as “goons, thugs, etc.” I am currently an enumerator and am a former advertising executive. Among those on my team are an attorney, a former research analyst for major pharmaceutical companies, a school teacher, a 28-year veteran Chief Petty Officer, and a realtor. Our sister team includes a couple of engineers. I would expect that any of their resumes’ would compete quite nicely with your own.”
Frankly Geechee, I don’t care what your curriculum vitae contains. The majority of census takers in this census are thugs, goons and all manner of miscreants. This is the most ill organized, most expensive charade of a census in this nation’s history.
If anyone has any doubts about a census taker in their are, call your local police. File a complaint if need be. People need to educate themselves on this colossal mess, but most of all…be smart. Answer “how many people in household” and walk away. Threats of fining people will bring a massive class action lawsuit.
misinformation * 7
May 27th, 2010
10:23 pm
the form may have been lost, mishandled, destroyed or not filled out properly… or possibly still sitting under a pile of mail at your house.. maybe you forgot to mail it… all reasons someone will knock at your door.. duh..
misinformation * 8
May 27th, 2010
10:24 pm
WRONG – Census workers can enter your apartment in your absence
RIGHT – Census workers can enter your apartment BUILDING in your absence
A manager should give access to an apartment building OR provide names… one OR the other..
“Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, or any survey authorized by subchapter IV or V of such chapter insofar as such survey relates to any of the subjects for which censuses are provided by such subchapters I and II, including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fined not more than $500.”
It’s called reading comprehension people.. not so good these days…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode13/usc_sec_13_00000223—-000-.html
Lisa
May 27th, 2010
10:24 pm
“Census Workers. We understand that you are trained not to enter people’s homes. You do not need to repeat yourselves.”
The fact that it’s being repeated should bear witness that there are lots of us and we’re all saying the same thing (I’m in Missouri, BTW). And THIS Census worker is on the libertarian/conservative side of things who voted for Barr in 08 instead of Dumb or Dumber. However, with this article, I’m kinda glad he didn’t win (not that he stood a chance anyway). I’m disappointed that a Libertarian would write an article like this that could get a Census worker hurt or killed.
I”m not some creepy socialist trying to steal your identity or invade your privacy. I’m just trying to earn a few extra bucks & make up for the fact that my husband’s hours were cut & he hasn’t found a full-time job yet, thanks to Obama. Kinda ironic that I’m HELPING Obama the slug as a result of his policies being the reason hubby can’t find a job, but whatever. I’m the one that got the extra $300 check in the mail yesterday.
Mr Smith
May 27th, 2010
10:25 pm
Bang.