How dare they! The car flew up my (private 50 yard) drive, the guy parked and got out like he owned the place, saying: "Hi, I'm with the census and just want to ask you a few questions". The nerve! I ordered him to leave my property, #*@+&>>>>> he hesitated, until the dogs came runnning. (He didn't know, they'd just lick him to death!) So, what's next? The militia? I pay taxes, have kids in school: big brother knows who lives in this house! I put up no trespass signs, we'll see.

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), May 28, 2000

Answers

Kathy, I sure can understand your frustration! Gets even better - here they do fly overs. Go over your place with helicopters and compare aerial photos so if new roofs, whatever show up, they can tax you even more. I thought a couple of ketch dogs would do the trick but the government always finds new ways to get what they want.

-- Grits in Fl (rebelfarm@yahoo.com), May 28, 2000.

They came into my drive laying on the horn all the way, then just sat in the car and stared at me until I came to see who they were. It seems that she wanted to fill out the long form for my office, (an old trailer) never mind how many times I told them that it was NOT a residence, and none of their business. I finally managed to run her off, but I'm just waiting to see who shows up next.

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), May 28, 2000.

I was shocked to see who they hired to do their census out here in the country! Yesterday and old lady ( easily into her 70's ) drove into my drive and just sat there. I walked out to see if she needed help and here she was for the census! The poor woman was totally confused as to where she was and had no idea how to use the map they gave her. I felt sorry for her. I was wondering if she is that desperate for the $. Here in Wisconsin, they pay $11 an hour to go door to door. Not something I would want to do!! I'm not in agreement with the census either, just felt sorry for an old, confused woman.

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), May 28, 2000.

It hasn't happened here--YET. But I think I will use humour to repel them. I been planning this for some time. I think I will say "Come on MR. Revenuer, Take a walk with me and I'll show you where we buried the ones they sent out before you". I think our local sheriff has given them a list of farms to avoid. The census just ain't happening in Craig County, Virginia.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), May 29, 2000.

Joel, you are so funny! Reminds me of a funny sign about salesmen but you could replace it to say "Census takers, welcome, dog food is so expensive!" Put that on the fence!

-- Grits in Fl (rebelfarm@yahoo.com), May 29, 2000.

A older lady showed up here while I was pruning my roses, At first I was a little miffed to have to stop but she was realy nice and we sat on the porch and chatted for about half hour affterwards.Gave me a chance to stop and SMELL the roses.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), May 29, 2000.

Census taker was here this week too. A very polite lady came to the door and identified herself and the reason she was here. I was polite to her also and told her that I understood that she was just trying to earn money but that I would not participate except to tell her that one person resided here, as is my right under the constitution. She next asked me if that was the only question I was going to answer and I told her yes. She thanked me for being cordial to her and left without any argument or hassles whatsoever. Will be interesting to see who or what shows up next as I am sure this will not be the end of it. The next time I will not be so cordial.

-- Marci (ajourend@libby.org), May 29, 2000.

In my haste, (agitated state) when posting I neglected to state, that when 'they' came, and I knew, 'they' would, my only answers to any questions, would have been race (obvious), gender (obvious), and age (debatable). The kicker was the arrogance of the little ....., who pulled into my drive doing 50! I would not have treated a blue haired lady so harshly! It occurred to me this morning, that the census could call me to make an appointment, don't just 'show up', like a friend! The telephone company compiles 'reverse' telephone books-ie: look up by address or telephone number. The government has access to these books, duh. The story will have an ending....to be continued.....

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), May 29, 2000.

Was the census bureau running a special this week or what. I got my visit as well. I was just walking out of my back yard gate with one of my great danes to go to obedience class and he was sitting in my driveway. Needless to say, he wasnt' too anxious to hop out of his van. He was an older guy, probably in his seventies. I felt sorry for him so I was polite but told him he caught us at a bad time because we were just heading out and no I didn't have a minute now to answer his questions, besides I already turned in my census form so why was he here. He said they didn't get it from headquarters yet so they had to come out. He then asked, as I put my dog into my car, if I would be willing to answer his questions by phone if he called me over the weekend and I said yes. It got him off my property which made me happy because the other seven Danes were barking their heads off. So he did call back today and I answered the few basic questions which were the ones I had answered on my form anyway and that ends my adventure with the census takers, thank goodness.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), May 29, 2000.

Now, where's your sense of adventure?

I was one of those lucky(?) people that got the census long form. But, I remembered the old saying... "Ask a stupid question and you'll get a stupid answer" So, that's EXACTLY what the government got. Best 33 cents I spent in a long time. And besides, part of the challange of living in the country is making your own entertainment, isn't it?

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), May 30, 2000.

Craig -- I hate to ask, but....what did you say? My mama always told me I was too darned curious, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to regret asking you that!!!

Here in Canada, they don't seem to be quite so eager to come to call - - but then, it could be the "Trespassers Will Be Eaten" sign on the end of the drive...I'm sure they know we're referring to the dogs...

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), May 30, 2000.

They haven't come here yet and I think if they did they would be terrified by the dogs and it would end at "6 ravenous beasts reside in this residence, they are not friendly and don't appear to have a college education, so perhaps they are due some Federal hand outs!" I love my goverment so much, I will tell them whatever they want to know...They only want to help.

-- Doreen (livinginski@yahoo.com), May 30, 2000.

My best friend (another news reporter) has a daughter who lives in a mobile home. When the Census guy came and inquired why she hadn't filled out the entire census long form, she got the guy so confused he eventually backed out of her yard and into a tree; then pulled out from the tree and backed into the ditch!

He asked her things like: do you have a bed? so you sleep in that bed? When he asked her how many bathrooms she had, she asked, "do you mean inside or inside and outside???"

What's so funny is that her mother worked for the pre-census some and her dad has done all kinds of news interview about how the census is overstepping its Constitutionality and all that...

but that poor guy was so rattled when he left her place it's a wonder what he wrote down...

we've had instances around here where they've threatened elderly women with arrest if they didn't comply and answer questions and all kinds of stuff like that....that is UNCALLED for and can't be allowed to continue!!!

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), May 31, 2000.

Hi Tracy,

What I was trying to say was that I found the census form to be great entertainment. I couldn't believe that someone was being paid to come up with that stuff. They were probably the same people that came up with the questions for "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on American T.V. :) But, I did my civic duty and answered the questions best I could and shot it back by mail to make sure that no one would drop by in person. The answers I gave were only as good as the questions. And some of those were completely ridiculous.

Oh well, that's a wrap for another 10 years!

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), June 01, 2000.

Lighten up all you Countrysiders. Good heavens above. The census hired a lot of non-traditional workers and paid them fairly for work that needed to be done. Countrysiders laughing at people because they aren't young white males in business suits DISAPPOINTS me. As for why we have a census, read the constitution. All you strict constitutional types, you can't have it both ways picking and choosing what you like and screaming about what you don't like. The constitution mandates a census, done face-to-face, every ten years. As for the information gathered from the census, those of you wanting to start home-based businesses ought to look into the good information you can get by census tract location (not by individual names or addresses)-- a lot of it can help you create a marketing plan and determine whether or not you'll be successful in your endeavor. And even if you don't need the information, it's available and it's interesting. So quit howling like stuck pigs just because it's something the government is doing. Lighten up. And stop laughing at people who happen to be older, disabled, female.

-- Carol Hannah (carolh@win.bright.net), June 06, 2000.

Bad hair day, Carol? Talk about lightening up?! Take a pill! We at Countryside-and I speak for myself only- don't have a problem with old disabled persons having employment....read the posts! I have a problem with the government being intrusive into my life. Do as you will, sister...if you really believe the census is secure information, nobody knows, it makes a difference, etc......Give up all! Give them your bank acct. number, and reduce the national debt- good, rightious citizen that you are.

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), June 07, 2000.

Here they came, again! What's with the attitude?! You, MUST answer these questions! Get lost! Let's make it clear, that I never received a form in the mail. I have a VERY private drive. I don't appreciate some moron intruding on my space. Don't 'ambush' me at 9am Saturday morning! I'm cranky! I pay taxes, have 2 kids in school-you know my name. So, to the Countryside lawyers out there-now what? Will the police be next? Has BIG Brother arrived, abet late? I am advised that the census is a ruse, and there are no laws on the 'books' that I must cooperate. Educated opinions, welcome.

-- kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), June 11, 2000.