The decennial US Census is one of the most important things the federal bureaucracy does. In addition to determining how many Congressional representatives everyone gets (or doesn’t), the demographic information gathered helps planning agencies know how and where to plan. The more any particular demographic is represented in the census, the more likely it is that demographic will be the beneficiary of public funds. Getting an accurate assessment of where funding is necessary is, therefore, a basic necessity of effective government. We can’t fund solutions to problems we don’t know exist.

That’s why it is counterproductive for anyone to ignore their census survey, especially minority groups who are already underrepresented. The only way to make your taxes work for you instead of somebody else is if the government knows you’re there.

It’s curious then, that the ostensibly libertarian (but not really) think tank CATO Institute is suggesting that its members fill our their Census forms incorrectly. Apparently CATO is unsatisfied with simply criticizing government effectiveness, and is now actively working to purposefully make it even more ineffective. I guess the best way to prove something is broken is to break it yourself.

But I digress.

The US Census is mailing out its decennial survey forms this week. Several DC-area residents have already got them. For goodness sake, fill them out and send them in!