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HUH? Census Bureau Putting 'MESSAGES' In More Than 2 Million Fortune Cookies
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[link to www.newsoxy.com]
Published: Feb 21, 2010
Updated: Feb 24, 2010
Census Fortune Cookies will soon contain messages like "Put down your chopsticks and get involved in Census 2010" from the federal government. The message can be found on one side, while the fortune is printed on the other. It's just part of a broader effort by the Census Bureau to spread the word around before April 1.
Census cookies are made by Tsue Chong Co., a cookie factory in Seattle's Chinatown International District. More than 2 million cookies will be shipped to restaurants and grocery stores in the northwest. The cookie company has called it a "great thrill" to partner with the bureau for such an important effort.
In addition, more than 112 million households will begin receiving forms in the mail beginning in late March. The decennial count helps allocate more than $400 billion a year in federal funds to state and local governments. The funds are used for public housing, highways and schools.
The Census Bureau states that each uncounted person means a loss of about $1,400 in federal money per year. It is also a program that faces big criticism for spending. For example, the bureau kicked off a $320 million media campaign on Super Bowl Sunday, with ads in 28 languages.
The Census Bureau estimates that the life-cycle cost of the 2010 Census will be $13.7 billion to $14.5 billion. It is the most expensive census in the nation's history. In fact, people in congress will suggest that the 2010 Census is in the Constitution where it mandates a decennial count.
However, our founding fathers only created the system to create the necessary number of seats in the House of Representatives. This also provides two senators from each state. There is much debate going on if the federal government has the right to use the census for other economic purposes.
Wasting Taxpayer Dollars For 2010 Population Count
The Census Bureau has already wasted millions of dollars in preparation for its 2010 population count. Thousands of temporary employees collected $300 checks without actually performing the work. Other employees spent more money for their travel expenses than what was budgeted.
Federal investigators caution the excessive charges could multiply once the $15 billion headcount begins next month. The agency wants to impose tighter spending controls. It is definitely a program that is wasting taxpayer money.
The program is paying a lot of money for television ads and fortune cookies to remind people of the Census. It would seem more efficient if local cities and county governments did the counting. These numbers could be counted every ten years and given to the state representative.
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