How the 'taxpayer census' fights the 'homosexual agenda' (TVC deception)

[Newsjock]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/21/LAZARUS.TMP

Who would have guessed that answering a few census questions could make you a participant in battling the "homosexual agenda"?

Napa resident Marcia Zwick never imagined this when she recently received a large, important-looking envelope in the mail. She works as a legal secretary and is accustomed to handling official documents.

... "U.S. Taxpayer Census," the envelope says on the outside in big letters. "Do Not Tamper: Reply Within 5 Days."

Inside is an official-looking questionnaire. "This U.S. Taxpayer Census has been specially commissioned to gather public opinion in America's 'grassroots' about the new Social Security Preservation Act (HR 219) now pending in the U.S. Congress," it says.

... In reality, the "Census" is a mailer from something called the Christian Seniors Association. And of the nine questions it asks, six involve a slanted look at Social Security and three involve donating money to the right-wing organization.

What the mailer doesn't tell you, though, at least not in so many words, is that any funds contributed to the Christian Seniors Association will in fact go to its parent group, the Traditional Values Coalition.

lots more

[MadMaddie]

1. Isn't this Mail Fraud..Deceptive mail or something like that

these groups need to be prosecuted...

[Skip Intro]

3. I think its probably barely legal

The letter doesn't claim to be from the government, it just insinuates it. And the commands: "do not tamper, return within 5 days," I'd have a problem with my government ordering me to do something. What a crass try at being intimidating. I think I'd have written "screw you," on the questioinaire and sent it back to them.

"Christian," eh?

[and-justice-for-all]

2. Lies, Lies, Lies!!!!

TVC is LYING to get people to give them money! Such organizations dont seem to have the balls they once had so they have to use sneak tactics to get people to open their wallets.

I hope I get one, I have LOTS of Atheist pamphlets I would LOVE to send them!

[BattyDem]

4. My mother got the same thing a couple of months ago

I posted about it on DU and most people suggested that I report it to the authorities. Someone even contacted me privately and asked for a copy of it. My Mom got VERY nervous and upset about the whole thing. She was mad that I mentioned it on DU because she thought she was going to get in trouble ... even though I told her over and over again that it was NOT an official US Government document, just a a solicitation from a RW fundie group. She ended up dumping it in the shredder before I could send it to anyone. :-( A fellow DUer suggested that I contact the local Senior Center and give them a "heads up" about it - which I did. :-)

What really pissed me off was that it was targeted at seniors and the words "U.S. Taxpayer Census" made it sound official. My mother was lucky: she had me to help her with it. I immediately knew something wasn't right because I knew we weren't due for a census. I looked it over and read the fine print, which is where I found the name of the organization behind the mailing. Despite my explanation, my mother was still freaked out by it. I couldn't help thinking about all those seniors who live alone and/or don't have anyone they can turn to for things like this. After all, the letter said they had to reply within 5 days, which didn't leave much time to contact someone about it. How many were upset or confused by it? How many gave money they didn't have because they thought the government was asking for it? :grr:

[Kadie]

5. .

:kick: