May 9, 2008

Dear Sir/Madam:

A U.S. Census Bureau Field Representative tried contacting you recently to obtain some information for the American Community Survey (ACS). However, our Representative, Edward Marcus (201) 927-4763 has been unable to reach you. Because of the importance of this survey, we would appreciate you telling us how you can be contacted. You may do so by completing the information below and returning it in the enclosed postage paid envelope, or by calling the Program Supervisors, Ms. Nina Heggs or Arkadiy Khaimov at 212-584-3479 or 1-800-991-2520 ext. 43470.

This survey is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to provide current information on subjects like income, education, commuting and housing. Your efforts help provide current information needed by your community, county and state, as well as the Nation, to plan programs at all levels. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts this survey under authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 141 and 193. Section 221 of the Title 13 requires that sample households participate in the survey.

Please be advised that Census staff are available to conduct an interview when it is most convenient for your household, including weekends. If the best time to contact your household is after 9:00 p.m. or before 9:00 a.m., our staff is always available!

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. All information you provide is confidential and will be seen only by sworn U.S. Census Bureau employees. Your participation will make a valuable contribution in providing timely and useful data for generating public policies.

Sincerely,

Lester A. Farthing

Regional Director

Sworn U.S. Census Bureau employees? Why should I trust them anymore then the politicians who swore to uphold the Constitution and fail? Seems obvious to me government employees don’t have a great track record of upholding their sworn duties. Along with the above letter I received some exerpts from Title 13 of the United States code.

• Chapter 5 > Subchapter II > Section. 141. - Population and other Census information
  • (a) The Secretary shall, in the year 1980 and every 10 years
    thereafter, take a decennial census of population as of the first day of
    April of such year, which date shall be known as the “decennial census
    date”, in such form and content as he may determine, including the use
    of sampling procedures and special surveys. In connection with any such
    census, the Secretary is authorized to obtain such other census
    information as necessary.
• Chapter 5 > Subchapter V> Section 193. - Preliminary and supplemental statistics
  • In advance of, in conjunction with, or after the taking of each
    census provided for by this chapter, the Secretary may make surveys and
    collect such preliminary and supplementary statistics related to the
    main topic of the census as are necessary to the initiation, taking, or
    completion thereof.
• Chapter 7 > Subchapter I > Section 214. - Wrongful disclosure of information
  • Whoever, being or having been an employee or staff member referred
    to in subchapter II of chapter 1 of this title, having taken and
    subscribed the oath of office, or having sworn to observe the
    limitations imposed by section 9 of this title, or whoever, being or
    having been a census liaison within the meaning of section 16 of this
    title, publishes or communicates any information, the disclosure of
    which is prohibited under the provisions of section 9 of this title, and
    which comes into his possession by reason of his being employed (or
    otherwise providing services) under the provisions of this title, shall
    be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or
    both.
• Chapter 7 > Subchapter II > Section 221. - Refusal or neglect to answer questions; false answers
  • (a) Whoever, being over eighteen years of age, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary, or by any other authorized officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof acting under the instructions of the Secretary or authorized officer, to answer, to the best of his knowledge, any of the questions on any schedule submitted to him in connection with any census or survey provided for by subchapters I, II, IV, and V of chapter 5 of this title, applying to himself or to the family to which he belongs or is related, or to the farm or farms of which he or his family is the occupant, shall be fined not more than $100.
  • (b) Whoever, when answering questions described in subsection (a) of this section, and under the conditions or circumstances described in such subsection, willfully gives any answer that is false, shall be fined not more than $500.

Other then the prepaid envelope there was another copy of the Census 2010 brochure.

These guys are persistent.