Rex Taylor Smith engages the internet to develop ideas, style and an audience.

At a time when millions of Americans are considering how to most effectively resist what seems like government intrusion into most every aspect of their lives, employees of the federal government are knocking at the door to collect personal information.

Citizens and non-citizens alike, ‘the feds’ want the names of each person staying at the address, regardless of whether the individual actually lives there or merely surfs the couch.  To consider a household questionnaire complete, the federal government will walk away from your front door with a profile of each person that includes date of birth, ethnic and racial designations.  They will also ask the way in which each person listed is related to each of the others.  Thus, a skeptic nation raises its collective eyebrow when this stranger at the door, speaking on behalf of The United States of America, gives every assurance that the confidentiality of  the information they collect is under the strict protection of Title 13 of the U.S. Code.  You are not alone if you find these assurances, made on behalf of the federal government, incredulous.  Calling themselves patriots, scores of Americans prepare to stand against this intrusion by the U.S. federal government, which they perceive as indicative of tyranny and repression, by refusing to participate in the 2010 Census.  While this is an idea that certainly resonates with many of the federal government’s detractors, clearly, it is an ill-considered position, an ill-advised action.  As an act of civil defiance, failure to provide basic identifying  information and demography to the U.S. Census Bureau is convenient and risk free,  though a questionable tactic in defense of personal freedom. Continue reading →