US Census

Most people have gotten their Census over the past few days and many are shocked at all of the questions.
Many are wondering what they have to legally answer…  Tip: On #9 for Race - Check the "Other" box and write in "AMERICAN". I heard that on Rush today.

Here are some answers and tips from Judge Andrew Napolitano on the Census Questions:

Video: Judge Andrew Napolitano on the Census Questions

Most people are aware that our Constitution calls for “counting” us every ten years. No problem. But, as most of us have discovered to our concern and dismay, our Federal Government has overreached their Constitutional authority in nearly every aspect of our lives. They do it by shredding the Constitution and enacting statutes that cannot be supported by the Constitution. Now is the time to challenge them in one the most peaceful methods of Civil Disobedience.

Please join millions in preventing this continued Federal Government overreach and be prepared by knowing your rights and to handle the situation. If you have children in our lovely Government-run schools, talk with them about their rights and make sure they understand you don’t give away private information as they are using the schools to gather data as well. And, on college campuses they are using incentives to get students to give up their rights. Educate your children.

REMEMBER, GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY AND IF THEY CANNOT SUPPORT THEIR DEMANDS BY THE CONSTITUTION, THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO PRIE INTO YOUR PRIVATE LIFE – ASKING YOU QUESTIONS YOU WOULD NEVER TELL A STRANGER, YOUR NEIGHBORS AND MANY FAMILY MEMBERS.

They can threaten to fine you and even quote unconstitutional Statutes, but they cannot follow through on the threats because they know it violates the Constitution. If they threaten you, say “fine, just send me the paperwork fining me which I will in turn use to sue the Federal Government for violating my Constitutional Rights.” They’ve gotten away with a lot because of threats and intimidation. Don’t let them succeed!

To prepare yourself:


1. Decide now that the ONLY question you will answer is Head Count. When you receive the form, answer only Question 1 and mail it back. You have fulfilled your Constitutional duty.

2. Obtain a copy of the Constitution and highlight the section. It’s Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3. “The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.”

Note: “as they shall by Law direct” does not mean they can ask more questions. It only means how the law directs they obtain the head count.

3. If you receive phone calls or a personal visit from a Census worker, be prepared with the Constitution and some questions of your own. Turn the tables on them. Be polite and professional. A lot of these people are young people just doing a job to earn some money. Just stand firm in your convictions and you may educate a young person about his or her own rights.

4. Here are the questions, depending on what they say to you:

QUESTION: The Constitution authorizes the government to obtain a head count of the number of people living in the U.S. every ten years, but does not authorize the taking of private information including names of individuals. I fulfilled my constitutional duty and told you how many people live at this dwelling. From where does the Census Bureau derive Constitutional authority to demand personal information?

QUESTION: The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits government search and seizure of private information without a court warrant based on probable cause. Current Census Bureau policies violate that Amendment, do they not?

QUESTION: By what Constitutional authority does the Census Bureau threaten penalties for failure to provide personal information, which violates the Fourth Amendment?

THERE IS NO CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY FOR THE “AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY” WHATSOEVER WHICH THEY ARE NOW SENDING TO 250,000 EVERY MONTH.
You do NOT have to answer that at all and should refuse to mail it back, talk to them on the phone or answer the door.

QUESTION: What Constitutional Authority does the Census Bureau have to collect information every month of every year from private citizens? (and repeat your statement above about the Fourth Amendment).

Further Statement which you can send back with the Census form only answering Question 1: "I hereby affirm that the provisions of Title 13 ....requiring me to disclose my race, personal financial data, birth date, or any other personal, Private information to the Bureau of the Census, an agency of the United States government, constitutes an unreasonable, unwarranted search of my person, house, papers, and/or effects, and a governmental invasion of the sanctity of my home and the privacies of life. As such, these provisions violate the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, and are thus wholly void and I am not bound to obey them.
I have completed the only those sections of the Census form pertaining to the Constitutionally-mandated actual enumeration. I have thus fulfilled my obligation to the attainment of the actual enumeration of the populace of the United States.

Any fine or other sanction that is levied by any office or organization stemming from the unconstitutional provisions of Title 13 in connection with my response to this or any other Census-related questioning will be challenged in a court of law."

We must hold the Federal Government accountable to the Constitution and this is one of the best ways to take a stand for the Bill of Rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.