census 2010

OFF THE WIRE

WRITTEN BY JAN TO BOLT. USA
I've researched the census and any "duties" to answer. I never agreed to, so don't feel obligated to trust the government with private information. Congress is certainly authorized to create laws, and the Census Bureau which falls under the Dept of Commerce is authorized by Congress to create census forms. Census takers are authorized to ask me questions, but if they infringe on my right to privacy and they insist on taking authority, I will insist on my rights. I am not engaged in commerce. 58 years ago, the duties of individual citizens were spelled out in USC Title 13, but were removed during the Second Red Scare and McCarthyism, before I was born. The penalties section, is Chapter 7, Offenses and Penalties, Subchapter 2 Other Persons, starting on page 27 comes the closest to inferring any obligation on ordinary individuals by referencing that the old code included a statement that it SHOULD "be the duty". I don't see a must there. I see a should.

Historical and Revision Notes:
The language of section 209 of title 13, U.S.C., 1952 ed.,
providing that it should ‘‘be the duty’’ of all persons
over eighteen years of age, to answer correctly, to the
best of their knowledge, when requested, etc., was
omitted as unnecessary and redundant. The provisions,
as herein revised, define offenses and prescribe penalties
for committing them, and are deemed sufficient
for the purpose of enforcement. However, some of the
language used in the omitted provisions was necessarily
included in the description of the offense.

If I answer at all, I'll only be answering how many people live here. I will not answer other questions, am not obligated to identify myself, and will not sign or put my name on anything.

To the extent reasonably possible, if anyone shows up in my neighborhood I will meet them at the end of the driveway, and attempt to deny ingress prior to them appearing at the doorstep and pressing the button on their equipment which provides precise geographic targeting coordinates for domestic and foreign weapons and surveillance systems.

If forced into a showdown, I will refer to Page 30 of USC Title 13, Section 225
(d) Where the doctrine, teaching, or discipline of any religious denomination or church prohibits the disclosure of information relative to membership, a refusal, in such circumstances, to furnish such information shall not be an offense under this chapter.


and if worse comes to worse,....

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, Chapter 13
§ 242. Deprivation of rights under color of law (found on page 82)
Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or to different punishments, pains, or penalties, on account of such person being an alien, or by reason of his color, or race, than are prescribed for the punishment of citizens, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.