Advertising the Census: What a waste of tax dollars

[matt wade]

So today I was at a local park with my kids. Along come a bunch of census workers and they are handing out free t-shirts, pennants, and hats emblazoned with "Census 2010" and associated slogans.

What a waste of tax dollars! Why in the world is our government spending the money they steal from us on advertising for the Census? Even if advertising was a proper thing, why are they handing out these t-shirts and pennants to children?

As a side note, since I know someone will likely bring it up, the park I was at was a privately funded community park. No tax dollars spent on it .

 

[StefanM]

I think most of the 2010 census marketing is a complete waste.

 

[preachinjesus]

It's an important function of the government. I'm glad they promoted it the way they did. We need everyone to know about it.

Of course there is always something for someone to complain about.

 

[FR7 Baptist]

As your humble public servant in the Census Bureau, even though my job doesn't start for 17 more days, I know the answer. By advertising the census, it gets more people to mail back their returns. It costs a lot of money if an Enumerator has to track you down.

 

[abcgrad94]

What happens if you don't get a census, are you exempt? I know someone who didn't get one yet.

 

[FR7 Baptist]

What happens if you don't get a census, are you exempt? I know someone who didn't get one yet.

No, you have to get a form yourself and fill it out.

 

[Salty]

My problem with the advertising is that they are NOT giving the constitutional reason for the census - be counted, for Congressional representational

 

[StefanM]

As your humble public servant in the Census Bureau, even though my job doesn't start for 17 more days, I know the answer. By advertising the census, it gets more people to mail back their returns. It costs a lot of money if an Enumerator has to track you down.

I understand. My beef with the marketing is the methods they are using, not the marketing itself.

For example, I find the letter mailed to each household a week before the census to be incredibly wasteful. If you are going to read that letter, you would read the census.

TV spots, I think, are good. Mass media is a good method of getting the word out. T-shirts, however?

 

[matt wade]

Leave it to liberals to defend this stupid advertising scheme. Did you miss the part here where they are giving the t-shirts and pennants to children? You know, children, under the age of 18, that aren't head of household and won't be filling out the census.

 

[just-want-peace]

I understand. My beef with the marketing is the methods they are using, not the marketing itself.

For example, I find the letter mailed to each household a week before the census to be incredibly wasteful. If you are going to read that letter, you would read the census.

TV spots, I think, are good. Mass media is a good method of getting the word out. T-shirts, however?

Bolded mine

AMEN!!!

1 - I got the card/letter (don't really remember which now) about 10 days telling me the form was coming.
2 - Then the form arrived.
3 - Then (believe it or not!!) I got a card some 5-6 days AFTER the form telling me that they sent the form. (I personally think they are just kissing up to the PO to keep 'em busy!!:tongue3::tongue3: )

Bureaucracy is worse than a boil on your glutus maximus!!!

 

[FR7 Baptist]

For example, I find the letter mailed to each household a week before the census to be incredibly wasteful. If you are going to read that letter, you would read the census.

TV spots, I think, are good. Mass media is a good method of getting the word out. T-shirts, however?

Studies have been done and mailing letters before and after causes a significant increase in response rates. When you compare the cost of extra mailings to the cost of sending an Enumerator to hunt you down and interview you in person, it saves the government money.

 

[Robert Snow]

Studies have been done and mailing letters before and after causes a significant increase in response rates. When you compare the cost of extra mailings to the cost of sending an Enumerator to hunt you down and interview you in person, it saves the government money.

Don't confuse these malcontents with the facts! It goes against there biased opinions.

 

[StefanM]

Don't confuse these malcontents with the facts! It goes against there biased opinions.

Don't be so quick with the namecalling. By the way, it's "their" opinions.

Paul,

You do make a good point with response rate. I had not considered that. I stand corrected.

 

[annsni]

Leave it to liberals to defend this stupid advertising scheme. Did you miss the part here where they are giving the t-shirts and pennants to children? You know, children, under the age of 18, that aren't head of household and won't be filling out the census.

Well, DUH!! If you're wearing a t-shirt yourself, you can't read it but give it to a child under 18? A parent will see that all....day....long.

:smilewinkgrin:

 

[matt wade]

Well, DUH!! If you're wearing a t-shirt yourself, you can't read it but give it to a child under 18? A parent will see that all....day....long.

:smilewinkgrin:

Well, you got me there! Luckily that means that conservatives will be more likely to see the advertising campaign, since they stay home with their kids to raise them rather than pawning them off on the day cares .

 

[matt wade]

Don't confuse these malcontents with the facts! It goes against there biased opinions.

Dagwood (works in machine shop)
dragonfly (works in machine shop. lives in houston)
Terry_Herrington (works in machine shop, has also been a teacher. lives in houston)
Robert Snow (works in machine shop, has also been a teacher. lives in houston)

Your comments will be disregarded until you admit you've been banned from this site before.

 

[Salty]

If mass mailings were good in 1810, then they should be good enough for today!

 

[rbell]

My problem with the advertising is that they are NOT giving the constitutional reason for the census - be counted, for Congressional representational

Exactly.

Don't confuse these malcontents with the facts! It goes against there biased opinions.

Wow...I think you might be even meaner now than you were before your "epiphany." We can discuss stuff like grown-ups, you know...

 

[billwald]

Oh, well, the USPS needed the business. <G>