Monday, February 8, 2010
If only the federal government were as responsible with our money as Pepsi is with theirs. The soda giant has been in the Super Bowl ad business for more than two decades. But this year, Pepsi determined it was economically unwise to pay $3 million for a 30-second spot. So, who's foolish enough to pay for Super Bowl gold-plated airtime? You and me and Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Census Bureau will squander $2.5 million on a half-minute Super Bowl ad starring D-list celebrity Ed Begley Jr., plus two pre-game blurbs and 12-second "vignettes" featuring Super Bowl anchor James Brown. It's a drop in the census boondoggle bucket (otherwise known as the tax-subsidized National Democratic Future Voter Outreach Drive).
The Obama White House has allocated a total of $340 million toward an "unprecedented" promotional blitz for the 2010 census. That's on top of $1 billion in stimulus money siphoned off for increased census "public outreach" and staffing. In all, the census will triple its total 2000 budget to $15 billion.
Ads pimping the census have already appeared during the Golden Globe awards and will broadcast during the Daytona 500 and NCAA Final Four championships. Some $80 million will be poured into multilingual ads in 28 languages from Arabic to Yiddish. Racial and ethnic groups have been squabbling over their share of the pie.
The U.S. census is a decennial census mandated by our Constitution. Should Americans know about it? Sure. Should the P.R. budget become a bottomless slush fund in recessionary times? Surely not.
Yet, no matter how you translate it, the census commercials to date have been an "Ishtar"-style flop. Global ad agency Draftfcb, based in (Obama's hometown) Chicago and New York, nabbed a $200 million four-year contract to oversee the Census Bureau's direct marketing, online and offline general market media strategies. The agency hired comedian Christopher Guest to direct "viral" spots. One of the supposedly "humor-driven" videos directed by Guest and commissioned by Draftfcb was uploaded to YouTube a few weeks ago. It has racked up a measly 6,880 views.
"For a once-a-decade project involving every living American, that's a pretty crummy return on investment," jeered AdFreak's David Griner. "The video seems to be hampered by the same problem that plagues all campaigns meant to 'go viral' -- i.e., it's simply not that funny. The joke is a chuckler at best, and dragged out to three minutes, that chuckle gets spread pretty thin." According to independent census watchdog Stephen Morse, the feds conducted a total of 115 focus groups in 37 markets across the country before settling on the dud of an ad.
That's a lot of focus-grouping to get people to pay a little extra attention to government headcount questionnaires that will be coming straight to their mailboxes.
Taxpayers are also footing the bill for the Mother of all Government Junkets -- a three-month road trip by lucky-ducky Census Bureau flacks traveling in 13 buses and cargo vans with trailers. They'll be partying in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and at parades across the country. In case you were wondering about the anticipated Census Road Show carbon footprint, it's an estimated 223 metric tons.
But not to worry: The eco-teers of an Al Gore-endorsed carbon offset firm called "Carbonfund.org" have become official government "partners" with the Census to offset all the vehicle emissions -- and surf off the free publicity to garner more business.
As if overpriced TV ads, online videos no one watches and indulgent, cross-country caravans weren't enough, the Census Bureau is also enlisting 56 million schoolchildren to pester their parents and act as junior government enumerators. Educrats are spending several billions more on math and social studies lessons peddling the census. Overzealous census partners such as the National Association of Latino Elected Officials have distributed recruitment propaganda urging constituents to participate because "Joseph and Mary participated in the census." Goodness knows what kind of fear-mongering curricula the kids are being served in the name of counting heads -- and shaping the electoral landscape.
"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," President Obama lectured us. "You don't blow a bunch of cash in Vegas." Coincidentally, the Census Road Tour junketeers just wrapped up a visit in Vegas. Next stop? You guessed it: the Super Bowl in Miami. Taxpayers should start crying foul.
Michelle Malkin is the author of "Culture of Corruption: Obama and his Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks & Cronies" (Regnery 2010).
COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
Comments
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
$15B does seem like a lot of money for a census. But take the liberal point of view, what's another $15B when the deficit is over a trillion, chicken fee.
February 8, 2010 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nick (anonymous) says...
Rune04 - Either you're not very observant or you're in complete denial. Fiscal conservatives disappeared at about the same time Eisenhower left office. Today's conservatives spend as much or more than liberals without even bothering to have money in the treasury to pay for it. In fact, they lower taxes (government income) while increasing spending (government out-go); that's why the National Debt went up exponentially, almost doubling, under Bush's 8 years.
It would be nice if you actually read some facts before you echo Rush's talking points: A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
February 8, 2010 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Zeus69 (anonymous) says...
nick- Really? Do you have a clue as to what you are talking about? This administration has spent twice what the pass two have and they are only in the first year.
February 8, 2010 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rune04 (anonymous) says...
nick, The presidents proposed budget has the biggest one year deficit in history. You are correct about the run away spending under Bush's administration, but our new prez is going to show him how its really done. You think if the economy wasn't as bad as it is, we wouldn't be facing a huge tax increase. You bet we would. Tax and spend, that's their battle cry.
February 8, 2010 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obamain2012 (anonymous) says...
The Fat Cat Republican hate machine is in full effect. Michelle Malkin is the conductor of this train........"All board!!!!"
February 8, 2010 at 7:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
When will the MEDIA ask OBAMA these Questions?
1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- "Not available"
4. Harvard College records -- Not released
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- Not available
8. Your Illinois State Senate records -- Not available
9. Law practice client list -- Not released
10. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate -- Not released
11. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
12. Record of your baptism -- Not available
13. Why your wife, Michelle, can no longer practice law as an attorney? (Insurance Fraud?)_
14. Why your wife has 22 assistants, when other First Ladies had one?
15. Why were you getting "foreign student aid" as a college student?
16. Which countries "passport" did you have when you visited Pakistan in 1981?
17. Where did the extra 300+ million overseas donations come from for the campaign?
18. Where did the stimulus money really go?
19. Where did the 2.2 Trillion that disappeared through the Federal Reserve go?
20. Why did you get kickbacks from Fannie Mae for over 10 years?
21. Why did you issue an Executive order protecting your records the first day in office?
22. What was the supposed New York photo-op really about?
23. Why did you pledge 100 Billion$ of our money to the world bank?
24. Why did you create the new office of healthcare commissioner in your branch through an executive order back in March 2009?
25. Why do you have over 35 Czars?
CONTINUED-----
February 8, 2010 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
CONTINUED----
26. Why did you say there was 57 states?
27. Why did you refer to your daughter as "Maya" and not correct it?
28. Why have you blocked 9/11 families from investigating Saudi Arabia for a link to 9/11?
29. Why are you stalling on the investigation for Ft. Hood?
30. Why are you letting the Justice Dept. not cooperate in prosecuting the Black Panthers?
31. Why are you having at least one party a week at the White House with expensive bands while the economy is in such trouble?
32. Why did you pay 18 million$ for an upgrade to a single Website?
33. Why did you stay in a hotel while speaking in New York for 7,500$/night for 4 nights?
34. Why are spending another 1.1 Trillion on the economy when the first nearly 1 Trillion resulted in fake jobs in fake Congressional districts?
35. Why have completely ignored science and Climategate?
36. Why are you offering bribes for votes with our tax money for your agendas?
37. Why are you threatening our national security by threatening to close a base hosting strategic air command in a state whose Senator refused to vote for your healthcare takeover?
38. Why did you print up a fake certificate of live birth using an image template from the Internet?
39. Why are you ramming through unconstitutional legislation left and right not allowing any transparency for Congress and public in viewing any of this legislation before taking votes?
40. Why is ACORN still getting massive government funding and eligible up to 8 Billion?
41. Why did you give the CEO of the company (General Dynamics)that hacked the passports during the campaign 900 million just after you got in office?
42. Why did the blueprints for Marine One get leaked over a "shared folder" with Iran on your watch?
43. Why did you have Marine One updated and totally remodeled when the military said it wasn't necessary?
44. Why did you meet at least twice and have your picture taken with the "DinnerGate" crashers years before they supposedly crashed the White House State dinner the day after ClimateGate?
45. Why is China telling you not to spend anymore money?
46. Why did you fly the Chinese Flag on US soil near the White House property during the Chinese 60th anniversary?
47. Why have you said you taught Constitutional Law but when asked about the
Constitution, Constitutional Scholars say you know nothing about it?
48. Why is the CIA Professor who taught your International Relations class at
Columbia now your top foreign policy advisor?
49. Why is a property in Chicago using your brother-in-law's wife name paid for by a known Al Qaeda front company that was investigated for working on the sprinkler systems 3 days before 9/11 (Magic Plumbing of NJ)?
50. Why did you defend a known Iranian front operation as a Lawyer that was funneling US money to Iran science and technology sectors under the guise of "The Iran Earthquake Relief Fund"?
February 8, 2010 at 8:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Towncar07 (anonymous) says...
tmmy99, i congratulate you, not only great questions, but great undertones that even Bush did not have to answer for.
The pres could guarantee his re-election IF he would answer each question and then corroborate his answers. Won't happen. Too bad. The truth is nailed shut in the Oval Office. The czars have his back. WE are the one's at risk.
Some of the questions are similar to listening to a reincarnation of Lyndon LaRouche...but the seeds of doubt that are sown are very strong, VERY strong.
February 8, 2010 at 8:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Towncar07 (anonymous) says...
This, on the subject may be worth repeating...(on YouTube/now down) The then Senator Obama was asked how, if elected President, would help the country.
His answers that caught my ear was a) Change our National Anthem to more like "I want to teach the World to Sing..." and the REPLACE our FLAG, with a more symbolic one that showed our Diversity as a nation, and be less confrontational." My response was VOMIT NOW ! ...and that's the way it was...
February 8, 2010 at 9:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Towncar07 (anonymous) says...
...and for the naysayers...NOTICE how Michelle, makes a statement and then SHOWS where she got that info. You may not like the message, or the messenger, but the winner can usually prove their points, not just throw mud.
February 8, 2010 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obamain2012 (anonymous) says...
First of all Towncar07 you can't spell Republican Fat Cat Hate Machine without the words Mud Throwing....
tmmy99 most of our answers are on this site....http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/columbo-obama.htm
#45. http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/...
I started to look up the questions; however I realized that you pulled this off of some Fat Cat website of yours probably FoxNews or The Drudge Report or some other Fat Cat Republican Hate Machine Website so i decided to stop after finding numerous flaws in your pirated list of 50. My search took me about 2 minutes to find this site http://www.meetup.com/912-iowa/messag... and I am sure there are many others Fat Cat Hate Machine sites just like it.... This proves yet again that Republican Fat Cats and Their Hate Machine are all about spreading their false rumors to drag people through the mud at any and all cost just like Bush did in 2000 against a U.S. POW War Veteran John McCain (of his own Fat Cat Party mind you) while he was to big of a coward to even show up for duty. Why don't you put that on your list 1. Why Bush got preferential treatment when he was able to transfer to Montgomery Alabama, 2. Where was he during the entire Vietnam War???? Probably had a little white powder under his nose???? Or smelled of a certain liquid????
Those are the questions EVERY American would like to know!!!!!
February 8, 2010 at 9:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
Towncar07 Thanks. Stay strong brother!!!
yes I agree with ya vomit now!! and so does 80% of hard working americans!!
February 8, 2010 at 9:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
ROMNEY / BROWN 2012
February 8, 2010 at 9:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nick (anonymous) says...
tmmy99 - Your comments are mostly copied and pasted. What else did you learn in school?
February 9, 2010 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
In Washington , D.C. an old priest lay dying in the hospital. For years he had faithfully served the people of the nation's capital and was well known among the elected officials. He motioned for his nurse to come near.
"Yes, Father?" said the nurse.
"I would really like to see President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi before I die", whispered the priest.
"I'll see what I can do, Father", replied the nurse.
The nurse sent the request to The President and Congress and waited for a response. Soon the word arrived; President Obama and Nancy Pelosi would be delighted to visit the priest.
As they went to the hospital, Obama commented to Pelosi, "I don't know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly help our images and might even get me re-elected."
Pelosi agreed that it was a good thing.
When they arrived at the priest's room, the priest took Obama's hand in his right hand and Pelosi's hand in his left hand. There was silence and a look of serenity on the old priest's face.
Finally President Obama spoke.. "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?"
The old priest slowly replied, "I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
"Amen", said Obama.
"Amen", said Pelosi.
The old priest continued, "Jesus died between two lying thieves; I would like to do the same."
============================================================
February 9, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nick (anonymous) says...
tmmy - Cut and paste, and jokes? What a waste!
February 9, 2010 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
nick off topic still can;t anwser any questions can ya
February 9, 2010 at 7:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
ROMNEY/BROWN 2012
NOVEMBER 2010
OBAMA"S A LAME DUCK
COMPLETE FAILURE
NO ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WON"T EVER STILL NO JOBS!!
28%unemployment in the Black community
but they still think bush is bad
OBAMACARE SUCKS!!!
NO JOBS
NO ACCOMPLISHMENTS!!!!
TYPICAL LIBERAL------TAX---TAX---TAX--TAX--TAX--TAX
February 9, 2010 at 7:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nick (anonymous) says...
TMMY/ GO TO SCHOOL/GET THAT EDUCATION.
LOL
February 11, 2010 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
President Barack Obama's delusional perspective on fiscal issues is only surpassed by his surreal approach to the war on terror, which he doesn't even consistently recognize as a war. The ideological extremism of his policies is only surpassed by his flailing incompetence in administering them
February 13, 2010 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tmmy99 (anonymous) says...
DEMOCRAT delusional perspective
February 13, 2010 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )