Top 10
Back in April 2006, a reader who called himself Devious D sent us a Top Ten list. We laughed so hard we had to post it. It's been on the site ever since.
Here it is. Same list. Same humour. Still relevant.
Top 10 Reasons To Love The Census
10. It's the only time the government asks how you're doing and actually wants a detailed answer.
9. You get to find out whether your neighbour is really a plumber or just plays one on TV.
8. It's a great way to remind yourself how many people live in your house, in case you forgot.
7. Filling out a form by candlelight after the power goes out builds character.
6. It gives you something to do while you're waiting for the election results.
5. You finally have a reason to dig out that box of old tax returns from 1998.
4. It's the closest most of us will ever get to being a statistic.
3. The long form has more questions than a nosy aunt at Thanksgiving.
2. It's the only government document that comes with a free pen. Oh wait, that's the election.
1. Because nothing says "I love my country" like telling a stranger how much you earned last year.
Why We Kept It
Because sometimes you need to laugh. The census is a serious topic. Privacy, data, Lockheed Martin, court cases. It's heavy stuff. And when things get heavy, humour is how people cope.
Devious D understood that. The list isn't mean. It's not political. It's just a guy poking fun at a bureaucratic exercise that everybody has to deal with every five years.
That's a healthy thing. If you can't laugh at the census, you're taking it more seriously than it takes itself.
Send Us Yours
If you've got a Top Ten list of your own, or a joke, or a cartoon, send it in. We're always happy to post good material. Especially if it makes people think while they're laughing.