Opinion : Letter to the Editor - Concerns about The American Community Survey

Dear Editor, 

I have recently become familiar with The Community Survey. This survey is sent by the U.S. Census Bureau to 250,000 households per month. It is mandated by Congress and the survey must be completed and returned to the U.S. Census Bureau.  There is no other option without risking a fine.

The following are questions taken from the survey:

(regarding the facility located at the address to which the survey was mailed)

• 1. What best describes the building?  

  2. About when was this building first built?  

  3. When did Person 1 move into this house, apartment, or mobile home?  

  4. How many acres is this house or mobile home on?  

  5. In the past 12 moths, what were the actual sales of all agricultural products from this property?  

  6. How many separate rooms are in this house, apartment or mobile home (exclude bathrooms, porches, balconies, foyers, halls or unfinished basements)?  

  7. How many of these rooms are bedrooms?  

  8. Does this house, apartment or mobile home have: hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, a bathtub or shower, a sink with a faucet, a stove or a range, a refrigerator, telephone service from which you can both make and receive calls?  

  9. How many automobiles, vans and trucks of one-ton capacity or less are kept at home for use by members of this household?   

  10. Which fuel is used most for heating this house, apartment or mobile home?  

  11. Last month, what was the cost of electricity for this house, apartment or mobile home?  

  12. Last month, what was the cost of gas for this house, apartment or mobile home?  

  13. In the past 12 months what was the cost of water and sewer for this house, apartment or mobile home?  

  14. In the past 12 months, did anyone in this household receive Food Stamps or a Food Stamp benefit card?  

  15. About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment or mobile home (and lot if owned) would sell for if it were for sale?  

  16. What are the annual real estate taxes on this property?   

  17. What is the annual payment for insurance on this property?  

  18. Do you or any member of this household have a mortgage, deed of trust, contract to purchase, or similar debt on this property?   

  19. Is person number 1 currently covered by any of the following types of health insurance plans?   

  20. Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?  

  21. Is this person blind or does he/she have difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?  

  22. Because of a physical, mental or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficult concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?  

  23. Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?  

  24. Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?   

  25. Because of a physical, mental or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?  

  26. What is this person's marital status?  

  27. In the past 12 months, did this person get: married, widowed or divorced?  

  28. How many times has this person been married?  

  29. Has this person ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces, military Reserves or National Guard?  

  30. When did this person serve on active duty in the US Armed Forces?  

  31. Does this person have a VA service-connected disability rating?  

  32. What is this person's service-connected disability rating?  

  33. Last week, did this person work for pay at a job or business?   

  34. Last week, did this person do any work for pay, even for as little as one hour?  

  35. At what location did this person work last week?  

  36. Is the work location inside the city limits of that town?  

  37. How did this person usually get to work last week?  

  38. How many people, including this person, usually rode to work in the car, truck or van last week?  

  39. What time did this person usually leave for work last week?  

  40. Must report best estimate of all income received from various sources for the last 12 months.

  I was fortunate enough to have received my primary education during the 1950's when we were taught the downside of a bloated, suppressive and over-reaching government. In my opinion, the invasive questions of this survey are a prime example.

  We have an important election coming up. The America we once knew is disappearing. It is our right and responsibility as citizens to make sure the people who represent us in government share our views and will protect our individual rights and freedoms according to the Constitution.

I was fortunate enough to have received my primary education during the 1950's when we were taught the downside of a bloated, suppressive and over-reaching government. In my opinion, the invasive questions of this survey are a prime example.

We have an important election coming up. The America we once knew is disappearing. It is our right and responsibility as citizens to make sure the people who represent us in government share our views and will protect our individual rights and freedoms according to the Constitution.

Respectfully yours,

Mary Coots, Vinton