Comments on: The Census, the Constitution, and Civil Disobedience http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience Rants and musings about things political, philosophical, and religious. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:07:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kelly W. http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65692 Kelly W. Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:57:56 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65692 She also told me that the community survey is mandated by law and that I must answer. I asked where I could read such a law. She told me to call my congressperson and they'd tell me. I told her all they do is lie, and that I cannot trust anything they say. She also told me that the community survey is mandated by law and that I must answer. I asked where I could read such a law. She told me to call my congressperson and they’d tell me. I told her all they do is lie, and that I cannot trust anything they say.

]]> By: Kelly W. http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65691 Kelly W. Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:31:01 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65691 I received a second phone call from the census bureau. They wanted additional info. They wanted to know my address. They wanted to know what I did for a living. They wanted to know my income and my spouse's income. They wanted to know the amount of my property taxes. They wanted to know if I had house insurance. They wanted to know the amount of my inheritances or public assistance. I told them they already had my address. I told them I worked for a living. I told them I didn't know my income or my spouse's since I hadn't done my taxes and wouldn't do them until April 15th. I told them I got unemployment insurance for 3 weeks but never received a check, but it simply appeared in my bank account. I told them I may or may not have house insurance. She kept pressing me on my income, and I told her I made 26 million dollars. She asked if that's what she should write down, and I told her that she better put down that I made less than 26 million. She kept pressing me on my spouse's income. I told her that my spouse also made less than 26 million. She thanked me for my time. She also asked if there were only X number of residents at my house, and I replied that at times there were more, and at times there were less. I received a second phone call from the census bureau. They wanted additional info. They wanted to know my address. They wanted to know what I did for a living. They wanted to know my income and my spouse’s income. They wanted to know the amount of my property taxes. They wanted to know if I had house insurance. They wanted to know the amount of my inheritances or public assistance. I told them they already had my address. I told them I worked for a living. I told them I didn’t know my income or my spouse’s since I hadn’t done my taxes and wouldn’t do them until April 15th. I told them I got unemployment insurance for 3 weeks but never received a check, but it simply appeared in my bank account. I told them I may or may not have house insurance. She kept pressing me on my income, and I told her I made 26 million dollars. She asked if that’s what she should write down, and I told her that she better put down that I made less than 26 million. She kept pressing me on my spouse’s income. I told her that my spouse also made less than 26 million. She thanked me for my time. She also asked if there were only X number of residents at my house, and I replied that at times there were more, and at times there were less.

]]> By: Elaine http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65649 Elaine Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:45:05 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65649 I have been getting phone call after phone call from the Census Bureau regarding my lack of response. I figure that they'll be knocking on my door soon. When I am in federal prison for not responding, please send books!! I have been getting phone call after phone call from the Census Bureau regarding my lack of response. I figure that they’ll be knocking on my door soon. When I am in federal prison for not responding, please send books!!

]]> By: Kelly W. http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65602 Kelly W. Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:40:29 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65602 I just got a phone call from the community survey. I asked how he got my name, address and phone number. He said it came from a data base. I asked if I was randomly chosen, he said no, every household in USA will get one, but they are only doing 250,000 at a time. He said that the survey is how funds are allocated to communities for funding, and I replied that my community doesn't need funding, especially since the government is broke. He replied that the gov is not broke, and that my community really DOES need the funds. I asked why I had to give info, what law says I should tell more than what was on the census - he replied that a new law under Bush changed that. He kept asking whether I received the survey in the mail, and I replied that I might incriminate myself if I replied either yes or no to that question. He said he'd put me on a list of people who refused to cooperate. Hmmmm. I just got a phone call from the community survey. I asked how he got my name, address and phone number. He said it came from a data base. I asked if I was randomly chosen, he said no, every household in USA will get one, but they are only doing 250,000 at a time. He said that the survey is how funds are allocated to communities for funding, and I replied that my community doesn’t need funding, especially since the government is broke. He replied that the gov is not broke, and that my community really DOES need the funds. I asked why I had to give info, what law says I should tell more than what was on the census – he replied that a new law under Bush changed that. He kept asking whether I received the survey in the mail, and I replied that I might incriminate myself if I replied either yes or no to that question. He said he’d put me on a list of people who refused to cooperate. Hmmmm.

]]> By: J. S. http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65583 J. S. Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:00:37 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65583 We were just sent the community survey. It says this address was randomly chosen. I gave only names and ages in the April census. I dont think this is random. We were just sent the community survey. It says this address was randomly chosen. I gave only names and ages in the April census. I dont think this is random.

]]> By: Elaine M. Musial http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65526 Elaine M. Musial Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:18:14 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65526 It's funded by the census and wants information about how much my monthly electric and gas bills are, how much I pay for water and sewer, how much my mortgage is, how many rooms are in my house, level of education, how much money I make........It seems very intrusive to me. I do not see how we got from a count to all of the details of my world. It’s funded by the census and wants information about how much my monthly electric and gas bills are, how much I pay for water and sewer, how much my mortgage is, how many rooms are in my house, level of education, how much money I make……..It seems very intrusive to me. I do not see how we got from a count to all of the details of my world.

]]> By: Kelly W. http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65504 Kelly W. Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:33:50 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65504 yeh, what is this "community survey" anyway? Who is funding it and for what reasons? yeh, what is this “community survey” anyway? Who is funding it and for what reasons?

]]> By: THOMAS DYCHES http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65503 THOMAS DYCHES Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:32:03 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65503 @Elaine: "HUMAN" LOL @Elaine: “HUMAN” LOL

]]> By: Elaine M. Musial http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-65501 Elaine M. Musial Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:36:17 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-65501 Interestingly enough, I just recently received the community survey and it is November--what's up with that?? I truly resent being asked to provide this information and am not planning to complete. When I called the Census Bureau, and asked where in the Constitution I was required to provide more than the number of people living in my household, the person at the Bureau could not answer. If it is so critical to have this information, why doesn't the Census Bureau obtain it from the many other sources where summarized community data is already available?? I feel that my selection is discrimatory, in that I was picked out because I recorded HUMAN under race on the original census. E Interestingly enough, I just recently received the community survey and it is November–what’s up with that?? I truly resent being asked to provide this information and am not planning to complete. When I called the Census Bureau, and asked where in the Constitution I was required to provide more than the number of people living in my household, the person at the Bureau could not answer. If it is so critical to have this information, why doesn’t the Census Bureau obtain it from the many other sources where summarized community data is already available?? I feel that my selection is discrimatory, in that I was picked out because I recorded HUMAN under race on the original census.

E

]]> By: Eric Blair http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-64843 Eric Blair Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:04:46 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-64843 I had a census worker come to my house yesterday (since I didn't answer all the questions in the questionnaire that I'd mailed back to them). First, I was upset that she asked some of the questions that I did answer in the form I mailed. Did they read it? I hate duplication of effort. Basically, I told her two people lived here and our ages. When she started asking questions about any relatives, renters, if I'd lived anywhere else, and a bunch of associated questions, I held up two fingers and said, "TWOOOOO, I told you two people live here. That's it, no more, no less." Then she wanted to know if I rented, had a mortgage, or owned. I told her that was the most offensive question in the form. Interesting that she said she agreed with me. I told her I wouldn't answer. She start asking about race, etc. I told her I refused to declare. So she asked me for my phone number. I again refused. Up to now she was nice, but at that point seemed to be a little perturbed. She said that since I wouldn't give a number that someone would keep coming back again and again. I said, pleasantly, "OK, but I've given all the answers I'm going to give." I had a census worker come to my house yesterday (since I didn’t answer all the questions in the questionnaire that I’d mailed back to them).

First, I was upset that she asked some of the questions that I did answer in the form I mailed. Did they read it? I hate duplication of effort.

Basically, I told her two people lived here and our ages. When she started asking questions about any relatives, renters, if I’d lived anywhere else, and a bunch of associated questions, I held up two fingers and said, “TWOOOOO, I told you two people live here. That’s it, no more, no less.”

Then she wanted to know if I rented, had a mortgage, or owned. I told her that was the most offensive question in the form. Interesting that she said she agreed with me. I told her I wouldn’t answer.

She start asking about race, etc. I told her I refused to declare. So she asked me for my phone number. I again refused. Up to now she was nice, but at that point seemed to be a little perturbed. She said that since I wouldn’t give a number that someone would keep coming back again and again. I said, pleasantly, “OK, but I’ve given all the answers I’m going to give.”

]]> By: Rob Alexander http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-64318 Rob Alexander Sat, 22 May 2010 22:12:56 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-64318 The Census Bureau lady stopped by again today and wanted to know if I would at least answer the questions regarding ethnicity, gender, and age. I asked her what would happen if I didn't. She said that I would receive four more visits and then my neighbors would be asked to divulge that information about my household. I told her that I don't want either of those to happen, even though I won't answer any of the questions except the one about the number of residents. She gave me her supervisor's name and phone number to call on Monday. :-P The Census Bureau lady stopped by again today and wanted to know if I would at least answer the questions regarding ethnicity, gender, and age. I asked her what would happen if I didn’t. She said that I would receive four more visits and then my neighbors would be asked to divulge that information about my household. I told her that I don’t want either of those to happen, even though I won’t answer any of the questions except the one about the number of residents. She gave me her supervisor’s name and phone number to call on Monday. :-P

]]> By: Rob Alexander http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-64252 Rob Alexander Sun, 16 May 2010 04:41:37 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-64252 A nice Census Bureau lady stopped by my house today and didn't know what to do when I told her I would only answer the question about how many people live here. :-) I then pulled up this blog post and shared some of it with her, for which she was appreciative. Thanks, Connor. B-) A nice Census Bureau lady stopped by my house today and didn’t know what to do when I told her I would only answer the question about how many people live here. :-) I then pulled up this blog post and shared some of it with her, for which she was appreciative. Thanks, Connor. B-)

]]> By: Connor http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63924 Connor Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:49:33 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63924 Check out <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/04/census_deniers_dont_have_const.html?ft=1&f=103943429" rel="nofollow">this video</a>. It's the Director of the Census Bureau trying to argue that the portion of the Census clause that says "in such Manner as they shall by Law direct" gives Congress the authority to allow for, well, pretty much whatever question they want. This guy's using the same argument as the general welfare crowd—that this language does not apply to the provisions that precede it, but that they are an implicit cession of ultimate authority to do whatever is desired. Reading the clause in its entirety could not make things more clear: the congress is given the authority to implement an enumeration only, and that enumeration can be carried out in the manner that they shall direct. In other words, they can specific on what date it will be done, how soon the data should be returned, if the U.S. Postal Service is to be used, or carrier pigeons, or whatever. It does not give them free license to inquire about whatever topic they deem necessary or important or beneficial. Check out this video. It’s the Director of the Census Bureau trying to argue that the portion of the Census clause that says “in such Manner as they shall by Law direct” gives Congress the authority to allow for, well, pretty much whatever question they want.

This guy’s using the same argument as the general welfare crowd—that this language does not apply to the provisions that precede it, but that they are an implicit cession of ultimate authority to do whatever is desired.

Reading the clause in its entirety could not make things more clear: the congress is given the authority to implement an enumeration only, and that enumeration can be carried out in the manner that they shall direct. In other words, they can specific on what date it will be done, how soon the data should be returned, if the U.S. Postal Service is to be used, or carrier pigeons, or whatever. It does not give them free license to inquire about whatever topic they deem necessary or important or beneficial.

]]> By: Liz http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63885 Liz Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:48:48 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63885 I'm creeped out by our government right now too, Krysta. If this cra* keeps up I'm moving to Fiji. Yep I relate with this article, however I was expecting Connor to have some really clever gimmick we could all unite in applying to our shady government in an effort to strengthen the resistence. Sigh* I’m creeped out by our government right now too, Krysta. If this cra* keeps up I’m moving to Fiji.

Yep I relate with this article, however I was expecting Connor to have some really clever gimmick we could all unite in applying to our shady government in an effort to strengthen the resistence. Sigh*

]]> By: Krysta W http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63881 Krysta W Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:28:26 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63881 My husband and I have decided not to fill out the census this year. This is the first census that we have been required to participate in (we are in our early twenties). I have two young children and besides the fact that the questions that they are asking are unconstitutional (any judge who deems otherwise is not defending our constitution and should be thrown out), but we also feel that it is perpetuating the race wars that our government is fueling. Also and this may sound completely paranoid but I do not trust our New World Order government and I will not provide them any information about my children. We answered questions 1 and 2 (how many people and do any of them also live in another home). We plan to lawyer up and should we loose we will pay the fine - I WILL NOT GIVE IN TO THESE THUGS. Thanks for the article - knowledge is power. Anyone who thinks we are crazy or care too much needs a serious reality check. They may be willing to submit, but I won't. I care too much about myself and my children to give in to a thug government. To quote Ben Franklin - Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither. My husband and I have decided not to fill out the census this year. This is the first census that we have been required to participate in (we are in our early twenties). I have two young children and besides the fact that the questions that they are asking are unconstitutional (any judge who deems otherwise is not defending our constitution and should be thrown out), but we also feel that it is perpetuating the race wars that our government is fueling. Also and this may sound completely paranoid but I do not trust our New World Order government and I will not provide them any information about my children. We answered questions 1 and 2 (how many people and do any of them also live in another home). We plan to lawyer up and should we loose we will pay the fine – I WILL NOT GIVE IN TO THESE THUGS. Thanks for the article – knowledge is power. Anyone who thinks we are crazy or care too much needs a serious reality check. They may be willing to submit, but I won’t. I care too much about myself and my children to give in to a thug government. To quote Ben Franklin – Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither.

]]> By: oldmama http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63804 oldmama Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:41:10 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63804 it all feels like a 'catch 22' to me-- I feel sad about it. Kind of like I got in over my head when I 'volunteered' to be an American in the late 1900s/early 2000s. Anyone with me? it all feels like a ‘catch 22′ to me–

I feel sad about it.

Kind of like I got in over my head when I ‘volunteered’ to be an American in the late 1900s/early 2000s.

Anyone with me?

]]> By: L. Brown http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63799 L. Brown Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:38:19 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63799 rmwarnick Dude, get a life. rmwarnick

Dude, get a life.

]]> By: Brian http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63765 Brian Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:59:16 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63765 Correction.. This sentence: "I anticipate that the rebuttal to this question will be to answer that the *government* outlines powers and statutory law must stay within those powers….. and if you say that, you’d be right." Should be: "I anticipate that the rebuttal to this question will be to answer that the *constitution* outlines powers and statutory law must stay within those powers….. and if you say that, you’d be right." Correction..
This sentence:
“I anticipate that the rebuttal to this question will be to answer that the *government* outlines powers and statutory law must stay within those powers….. and if you say that, you’d be right.”

Should be:
“I anticipate that the rebuttal to this question will be to answer that the *constitution* outlines powers and statutory law must stay within those powers….. and if you say that, you’d be right.”

]]> By: Brian http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63748 Brian Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:18:02 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63748 The constitution is the foundation upon which statutory law stands. How can statutory law be of any use if one uses the constitution as the sole document upon which to decide questions of law on any (all) topic? I'm trying to point out that we shouldn't ignore statutory law in all cases nor quote the constitution as if it was the only law we had. Where does the constitution end and statutory law legally begin? Connor says that "Two sections in Title 13 of the United States Code provide for a mid-decade census, collection of housing and other data, and surveys to collect statistics “related to the main topic of the census”." So I say again, where does statutory law end? Why do we throw all of the statutory law out in this case, declaring it "unconstitutional"? I anticipate that the rebuttal to this question will be to answer that the government outlines powers and statutory law must stay within those powers..... and if you say that, you'd be right. In this case, it seems to me that the relevant statutory law clearly goes out of its bounds, but that's really for the courts to decide. I'm not meaning to agree nor disagree with Connor's point. My point is to raise awareness that the apparent clashes between statutory law and the constitution are decided by court decisions and are a lot more complicated than just looking at the constitution (and nothing else) and using that as a basis to declare something "unconstitutional". (Not saying that Connor is doing this.) The constitution is the foundation upon which statutory law stands. How can statutory law be of any use if one uses the constitution as the sole document upon which to decide questions of law on any (all) topic? I’m trying to point out that we shouldn’t ignore statutory law in all cases nor quote the constitution as if it was the only law we had. Where does the constitution end and statutory law legally begin? Connor says that “Two sections in Title 13 of the United States Code provide for a mid-decade census, collection of housing and other data, and surveys to collect statistics “related to the main topic of the census”.”

So I say again, where does statutory law end? Why do we throw all of the statutory law out in this case, declaring it “unconstitutional”? I anticipate that the rebuttal to this question will be to answer that the government outlines powers and statutory law must stay within those powers….. and if you say that, you’d be right.

In this case, it seems to me that the relevant statutory law clearly goes out of its bounds, but that’s really for the courts to decide. I’m not meaning to agree nor disagree with Connor’s point. My point is to raise awareness that the apparent clashes between statutory law and the constitution are decided by court decisions and are a lot more complicated than just looking at the constitution (and nothing else) and using that as a basis to declare something “unconstitutional”. (Not saying that Connor is doing this.)

]]> By: Jeffrey T http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/the-census-the-constitution-and-civil-disobedience#comment-63724 Jeffrey T Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:44:27 +0000 http://www.connorboyack.com/blog/?p=1564#comment-63724 rmwarnick, Could you possibly believe that those of us who believe in these principles also opposed Bush? Or is that an impossible proposition? rmwarnick,

Could you possibly believe that those of us who believe in these principles also opposed Bush? Or is that an impossible proposition?

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