by Mark Silva
The 2010 Census-takers won't be riding into town on Clydesdales, but the Census will take its place alongside the king of American beers on Super Bowl Sunday.
In Super Bowl ads.
The U.S. Census Bureau is paying $2.5 million for its spot.
And, like consumers of the beer that made St. Louis famous (mixing metaphors is safer than mixing alcohol), that Census will be asking for a "born-on date.''
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was all a-Twitter about the Census Super Bowl advertising campaign this week, tweeting that the government "shouldn't be wasting $2.5 million taxpayer dollars to compete with ads for Doritos!" (His wife's family distributes Bud in Phoenix.)
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) has called on the Census Bureau to justify every dollar of its $133-million ad campaign, citing tight economic times.
The cost of a 30-second spot for Super Bowl I in 1967 was $42,500 on CBS and $37,500 on NBC. (The only time the game was broadcast on two TV networks). This year, CBS is asking $2.6 million.) But then, there are a lot more people watching the game, and filling out those Census forms, now, than there were in 1970.)
The Census is underway. It started in Alaska -- which they can see from Russia. And, by March 15, most households across American should be getting a form.
The trouble is, a recent survey suggested that one in five people say they may not fill out these forms. Which could mean a lot less federal money for some states.
Not only the apportionment of congrsessional seats for the next decade, but also the appropriation of a lot of federal funding will be based on the headcount conducted this year. So, come on America, fill it out, send it in, and pass the chips.
(The photo above pictures a ""lighthouse" constructed of Bud Light beer cans, for that perfect party house, in a Bud Light commercial. Photo from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch / MCT. The Associated Press and MSNBC contributed to this report.)
Comments
ATTENTION REPUBLICANS!!!
LISTEN TO YOUR OVERLORD, MICHELLE BACHMAN!
DON'T FILL OUT THE CENSUS!.....especially if you're a Republican in a red state.
The Census has absolutely NOTHING to do with Congressional representation!
It's a secret plot by Obama and the Dems to kill Granny
Posted by: I wanna be a Republican idiot | February 5, 2010 3:23 PM
The Census Bureau Super Bowl ad is a slap in the face to the American taxpayer.
Of course, this ad was ok'd by a democrat official and like the majority of them, they have no regard for the tax payer.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 5, 2010 3:25 PM
**********************************************
Of course, this ad was ok'd by a democrat official and like the majority of them, they have no regard for the tax payer.Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 5, 2010 3:25 PM
************************************************
That's fine, Pablo,
Just don't fill out the Census, and make sure you tell all of your Wingnutter friends to do the same. That'll show the Dems who's boss.
Be a maverick, Pablo!
Posted by: Gotti | February 5, 2010 3:41 PM
John McCain & Paulo are right!
Hey Silva, stop being so Swampy! Your comment
"The Census is underway. It started in Alaska -- which they can see from Russia. "
--------------------------------
Where dioes it end Mark? Maybe in Washington, where people just don't even know how to count? That's evident when it comes to the job creation numbers. Hopefully the same people putting out those numbers are not also running the census!
----------------------------
Hey Mark, I can see the South Side of Chicago from my house! I think I'd rather see Russia!
Posted by: wingnut master | February 5, 2010 3:47 PM
LOL McCain, what an idiot. As a senator of a state with population GROWTH, you'd think he'd be interested in the census counting as many people as possible, to make sure his state had as much representation as possible.
Posted by: kb | February 5, 2010 3:49 PM
Paulo,
Money to promote the Census is put aside by every adminstartion, you moron. And seeing as how the Census was last done ten years ago, that would mean that a majority of the money to promote this Census was put aside by the BUSH ADMINISTRATION.
Posted by: More fake outrage from the Repugs | February 5, 2010 3:53 PM
That's a lot of $$$$. That's about what endowing a professorship in perpetuity at a university would cost. We could have:
-The Bruce Professor of Biased Statistical Analysis and Political Funding
-The John D. Professor of Irrational Debate
-The Paulo Professor of One-dimensional Physics
-The Terry Professor of Outmoded Economic Theory
-The John W Professor of Pontification
Hmmm. Come to think of it, maybe it is a good use of government money (but it would be better as a Public Service Announcement provided via the network -- fat chance during the Super Bowl.)
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | February 5, 2010 4:01 PM
Paula,
I think it's a Socialist plot orchestrated by the Socialist Administration and the Socialist Democratic Party. Don't fill it out. Do not fill it out.
Why don't you also enlighten us all about how many times Ronald Reagan raised taxes or the big tax breaks George Bush gave to multi millionaires/ billionaires.
Posted by: Doug R. | February 5, 2010 4:03 PM
The government is drowning in red ink, and they throw a further $2.5 million down the drain.
Posted by: Equal time | February 5, 2010 4:24 PM
================================
Hey Mark, I can see the South Side of Chicago from my house! I think I'd rather see Russia!
Posted by: wingnut master | February 5, 2010 3:47 PM
===============================
wingnut tool,
Really? So why don't you save us the trouble of booting you out of here and just go ahead and move to Alaska to be with your hero, the half term Quitter from Wasilla?
South Siders don't want you right wing tax cuts for billionaires rubes hanging around here anyway. In fact I'm surprised you've lasted this long.
Posted by: Planet Wingnuttia | February 5, 2010 4:57 PM
KB,
And then I could fail bumpkins such as yourself.
Wingnutta,
The south side could use a few entreprenuers so some jobs would be created in Jesse's and Bobbie's districts.
Posted by: Terry | February 5, 2010 9:08 PM
* * * * *
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | February 5, 2010 4:01 PM
.
You forgot the Kenny Bunkport professorship for constipated cetaceous bloviation. I’m sure the omission was just modesty on your part.
Posted by: John W. | February 6, 2010 12:18 AM
"Bumpkin?"
"Constipated cetaceous bloviation?" (Thanks JW: this is exhibit 3,068)
Ouch! You really know how to hurt a guy. I'm gonna go watch FOX to find out what I should think....
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | February 6, 2010 10:43 AM
KB,
Don't hurt yourself thinking - we can see its been a while.
Posted by: Terry | February 6, 2010 9:36 PM
To the person who calls him or herself "I wanna be a Rebulican idiot", you are completely WRONG about the effect of the census. And it has ABSOLUTELY everything to do with congressional redistricting. So, I say to you, thank you for advising the public not to fill out the form. I intend to write on mine "When you answer my questions, I'll answer yours." That is all this administration deserves from me. Give me back my money and my country and then we can talk about who that census is good for. If you don't know the facts, stay off the internet.
Posted by: pcoach | February 7, 2010 5:13 PM