The Census

[FleetsidePaul]

Am I the only one that feels no need to tell these people anything about myself.

They have my email. They already know where I live. They send me a tax bill every year. I feel no need to answer questions like I just got arrested or something. They know who I am. My census form went straight into the trash.

I did want to have some fun with them and tell them that I had 5 hookers tied up in my basement and ask if they counted as residents. But I decided against it. I don't want my door getting kicked in by the police. And I don't even have a basement.

[special-K]

I guess it's no worse than using a smart phone, online browsing/purchasing, The cloud, etc. At least they "ask" for the info. I believe the purpose is a positive one, not looking for a way to get into your wallet, just need to know population trends and demographics for reasons such as better serving the public with the taxes we pay. I didn't throw mine away. I have all their attempts in a neat stack with the intentions of getting a round tuit

[1976gmc20]

I filled out the number of persons, sex, and age. No names or other information. That's all they need to know for congressional apportionment.

Same thing ten years ago only come summer they sent somebody around to try to get more information. I couldn't be too mean because it was somebody that I knew. I wouldn't officially give more information but she obviously knew our names. They were doing GPS coordinates which made me really nervous back then.

Nobody has come back around this summer yet. But earlier on - actually last fall - some guy was driving around the neighborhood to all or most of the houses. I chased him down and hollered and he told me that he was with the census and out locating all the occupied residences. I wasn't very nice. There was a burglary a few miles from us a few years ago and I got all riled up thinking he was out casing houses. The old guy probably about pooped his pants when this western looking guy with a big six gun hailed him

We watch out for each others' places out here

[truckster]

Last time around I didn't fill out the forms, and a census taker came to my door. He asked how many people lived in my house, and I told him. He started asking more questions, and I refused to answer. He gave me the spiel about a $5000 fine, and I told him to go ahead.

This year I filled out the form online. The residents of my house are: Ima Citizen, Ima 2 Citizen, Ima 3 Citizen, and Ima 4 Citizen. I skipped the rest of the questions. Constitutionally, the census is for determining representation. They don't need to know where I work or whether I butter my pancakes in order to apportion representatives.

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by truckster

Last time around I didn't fill out the forms, and a census taker came to my door. He asked how many people lived in my house, and I told him. He started asking more questions, and I refused to answer. He gave me the spiel about a $5000 fine, and I told him to go ahead.

No one comes to my door I've got a long driveway and a 90 lb.German Shepherd that goes nuts at the end of it. People seem to stay away. Fed Ex drivers throw my packages down and run away.

Funny thing is that my friends just walk in my house. They don't even knock and my dog does absolutely nothing.Maybe he will pester them if they have food. But that's about it. He doesn't even bark at them. He just begs for a treat.

He seems to know the difference. It's weird.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

I filled out the number of persons, sex, and age. No names or other information. That's all they need to know for congressional apportionment.

Same thing ten years ago only come summer they sent somebody around to try to get more information. I couldn't be too mean because it was somebody that I knew. I wouldn't officially give more information but she obviously knew our names. They were doing GPS coordinates which made me really nervous back then.

Nobody has come back around this summer yet. But earlier on - actually last fall - some guy was driving around the neighborhood to all or most of the houses. I chased him down and hollered and he told me that he was with the census and out locating all the occupied residences. I wasn't very nice. There was a burglary a few miles from us a few years ago and I got all riled up thinking he was out casing houses. The old guy probably about pooped his pants when this western looking guy with a big six gun hailed him

We watch out for each others' places out here

GPS coordinates? They gonna call in a drone strike on you?

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

GPS coordinates? They gonna call in a drone strike on you?

I wasn't sure that it wouldn't come to that.

I don't respond to political surveys, either

[old Rusty C10]

i sent mine back stating my dependants were a couple million welfare recipients and illegal aliens and 350 or so politicians picking my pocket... have yet to hear back

[kingsolver72]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

i sent mine back stating my dependants were a couple million welfare recipients and illegal aliens and 350 or so politicians picking my pocket... have yet to hear back

This is funny!!!

[leddzepp]

It’s sitting in the trash can right next to my jury summons.

[mongocanfly]

I like Bobs answer

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

It’s sitting in the trash can right next to my jury summons.

Amen to that. I’m equally guilty of both.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I did want to have some fun with them and tell them that I had 5 hookers tied up in my basement and ask if they counted as residents. But I decided against it. I don't want my door getting kicked in by the police. And I don't even have a basement.

I'm glad you came to your census

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

It’s sitting in the trash can right next to my jury summons.

Believe it or not I wanted to go to jury duty the last time. The courthouse was close to my house and I had a long terrible commute to work and I started work really early. Anything to get out of that drive even jury duty was just fine with me. And I could sleep in.

But right before I had to go I read the summons and I only had 10 days to pre-register and I had had the summons for about a month by then. So I was way late.

I thought to call them. But then I thought what a horror show it would be to call the county. (Or try to) So I called it quits and threw it out and drove to work the next day. In traffic. In the dark, cursing.

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

It’s sitting in the trash can right next to my jury summons.

I enjoy Jury Duty. I like to argue How would you like to be on trial and be guilty and have me on your jury? They send the Census questionnaire to my old address where we used to live. We still own that place and the electric is still on. Nobody lives there. I have cattle there and check on them every day and check the mail box. I didn't fill the form out and don't fill out the census of agriculture forms out also. I try to not grow more than we need. any farm stuff I do sell is more than offset by the farm supplies I purchase. other than the savings on Grocerys my farm don't make any profit.

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by Old Truck Man

I enjoy Jury Duty. I like to argue How would you like to be on trial and be guilty and have me on your jury?

I have never actually been on a jury. They always give me the boot when they're picking jurors.

I was on a panel for a triple murder drug deal gone bad and these guys on trial were giving me and all the jurors the stinkeye. I immediately thought "Guilty"

Really? are you going to throw dirty looks to the jury when you're on trial for murder?

I was the first person dismissed. The attorneys never even asked me a question. I was just sitting there. I never said anything. But the defense didn't want me and I was shown the door.

My neighbor was there coincidentally and she was next. No questions. She was out too. Maybe they saw us talking to each other.

Every other time we would get right up to the courtroom door as the trial was about to start and the lawyers would settle at the last minute and send us home. What a waste of time.

[RenoKeene]

I ignored the census crap last year and they sent a mean looking woman around. I answered her questions until she asked what time I went to work. I snapped and screamed "WHY, SO YOUR FRIENDS CAME COME BACK AND ROB ME? She scattered like I took a shot at her. I waited for the Cops on my porch with a cold beer but they never came.
This year I filled it out on line.

[Boog]

My sentiments exactly. My wife does ours but I won't answer anymore questions than I think is absolutely necessary. Too much info gathering for my liking.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I have never actually been on a jury. They always give me the boot when they're picking jurors.

I was on a panel for a triple murder drug deal gone bad and these guys on trial were giving me and all the jurors the stinkeye. I immediately thought "Guilty"

Really? are you going to throw dirty looks to the jury when you're on trial for murder?

I was the first person dismissed. The attorneys never even asked me a question. I was just sitting there. I never said anything. But the defense didn't want me and I was shown the door.

My neighbor was there coincidentally and she was next. No questions. She was out too. Maybe they saw us talking to each other.

Every other time we would get right up to the courtroom door as the trial was about to start and the lawyers would settle at the last minute and send us home. What a waste of time.

I’ve served on 2 juries. Both times were over 20 years ago.

The first was for a guy manufacturing meth. That one was a slam dunk. The defendant looked like a squirrel on crack and the evidence was beyond overwhelming. Prior to finalizing jury selection the judge asked if anyone had used illegal drugs. I think everyone in the courtroom, including both attorneys raised their hand. He then added “not counting marijuana”. Everyone dropped their hand

The second was interesting and confused me at first. We were told there would be “two phases” in the trial. The guy was accused of trying to cash a stolen check. Again, evidence was overwhelming but I had to wonder why so much time and taxpayer money was being wasted on what amounted to (in my mind) a somewhat petty crime. The district attorney really had it in for this guy! Mind you, I do believe he should have been punished for it, but the process seemed excessive for the crime. Give him some jail time, fine him, and move on. After we found him guilty the judge then told us we would be entering the “second phase” of the trial. It was revealed this was the guys “third strike” felony (carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison). Again I thought this was beyond excessive for the crime of cashing a stolen check...as did his public defender. Then we found out his 2 prior felony convictions were (1) armed robbery and (2) rape. I had to then wonder why in the hell he was out of prison and able to cash a stolen check?! He had gotten out due to loopholes or some other BS nonsense. I then realized why the district attorney was pushing the case so hard. Ironically the man went to prison for 25 to life for cashing a stolen check instead of his 2 previous SERIOUS crimes

[lousyflyer]

Got a friend who is a census taker. They get $18.50/hr here in Georgia.

She says for hookers in a basement, only the number of occupants, their ages, and ethnicities is the information needed And of course whether or not they are family members.

[CG]

I get not wanting to over share with the Gov. But I don't get not wanting to do jury duty.
I'm pretty sure I don't want that to go away and have some government officials making decisions a jury makes, even though ya gotta wonder sometimes about those decisions.

[Steeveedee]

I've been on several juries. My first was a murder trial where the guy stabbed some poor gal to death with a screwdriver. 66, count 'em, 66 stab wounds! Some people on the jury wouldn't find him guilty for some of the stupidest crap "reasons" I've ever heard. If any one of you is a reasonable human being, you should serve on a jury, because one day you may be accused of a crime, and you'd better hope that those people on your jury are reasonable and not stupid.

[pritch]

The Gov't already knows everything they need to about me, but the only thing they're gonna hear me say is "One adult male human".

And they're gonna hear that thru one of them 18 dollar an hour census takers. If they come around when I'm home, that is.

I got my very first jury summons just last year. I sent it in, but they never called me. My kid gets them all the time, but I'd be surprised if he ever sent any of them back.

[Stocker]

I filled out a census form online several weeks ago. Can't recall any particulars but I know there were a few things I left blank.

Must be at least 35 years since I sat as an alternate juror, but didn't deliberate. Sure taught me a bit about lawyers being salesmen (and liars in one instance).
I have been summoned for jury duty a few times over the years, but for some reason I always get rejected. Hmmmmmmm.

[1976gmc20]

I got rejected from a fed jury for refusing to agree to follow the law and judge instructions

Served on a local civil jury maybe 10 years ago. Judge asks if anybody knew any of the litigants/attorneys and every hand in the room went up