American Community Service - The New Census

I received the following e-mail on my Ron Paul meetup e-mail list here in Michigan that I thought I would share with the rest of you.

I recently received the "American Community Survey" from the US Department of Commerce/US Census Office . It is 28 pages of intrusive "4th
amendment violating" questions. It wouldn't be so bad except for the
fact that it threatens a possible $5000 fine and/or 5 days in prison
for not filling it out. I just wanted to bring this to everyone's attention,
if you hadn't heard of it before. I called the Census department and very politely, but firmly told them I would not fill it out no matter what, regardless of a penalty. I also said I didn't want anyone to call me or visit my house. They said they would put me down as "refused to participate". I have also contacted all my Congressmen/women, asking them to put a stop to it.. There is a link to the Survey below, check it out for yourself and see if you think it's intrusive.

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Here's the email I have sent to my Michigan US Congressmen:
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Here are my concerns:
The Constitution
allows for an "Enumeration" every ten years starting in 1790 to count
the population for the purpose apportioning Representatives and Direct
Taxes.

The American Community Survey goes way beyond what a
constitutional Census allows. The ACS is 2.5% of the population once a month, instead of every ten
years. The 28 page questionnaire is an intrusive invasion of privacy
that goes far beyond the task of counting the population. Also
included is a very clear threat of a possible fine of up to $5000 for
not filling it out.
At best, I would like to see this survey
irradicated and go back to the consitutional census. At the very least
the threat of a $5000 fine for non-compliance should be removed. I
believe it is a violation of the 4th amendment (the right of the people
to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures).

Here's a list of some of the ridiculous quesions on the survey:

Work address
Mode of Transportation to work
Exact time I leave the house in the morning (Hour, minute, AM/PM)
Time it takes to get to work (Minutes)
Am I deaf or blind?
Do I have emotional conditions (serious difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions)?
Difficulty climbing the stairs?
Difficulty dressing or bathing?
Do I have indoor plumbing?
How many cars?
If I was unemployed, have I been actively looking for work?

The questionnaire erroneously claims the Federal government NEEDS this information to know how to apportion money to state and city governments. States and cities already get this
information from their own departments of transporation, police
departments, fire departments, building code inspections, personal
property taxes, drivers license registration, etc.

I would appreciate it if you would take time to take a look at the survey. I think you would agree it is intrusive at best.

Here are some links about this survey from the www.census.gov website:

ACS Website: link
The actual form: link
A site describing the new punishment for not responding: link

I see why the original poster was concerned.