The challenge is picking just one per day.

U.S. Census Bureau director Robert Groves wants you to return your census form as soon as you can.  ABC News says the Bureau saves $80 million for every 1% increase in people who return the forms via mail.  Saving the government money is a good thing, because it saves you (assuming you are a U.S. taxpayer) money.

Of course, Rebecca Blank seems to have a different perspective.  She is under the impression that Census spending is good for the economy.

“The census has a very positive effect on the economy.” Rebecca Blank, Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Dept. of Commerce

This is of course, according to the very same ABC News article previously mentioned.  Now I’m not sure who to believe.  Do I believe Mr. Groves, who wants me to do my patriotic duty and return my census forms quickly, thus saving the government money?  Or do I believe Ms. Blank, and chuck the form in the bin, thus stimulating the economy by causing the government to employ more people to collect the data?

Of course, the only sensible explanation is that Census spending is really a drag on the economy, just as is replacing broken windows.  And that’s why Ms. Blank merits today’s award.