The data in that last post is obsolete.

I received yet another post card today from the U.S. census bureau.  This time though, they want me to go to work for them.

• Good Pay
• Flexible Hours
• Close to Home

“These are temporary, part-time jobs that offer good pay, flexible schedules, and paid training.”  And when we’re done, you can go back to collecting unemployment that the government will continue extending out until who knows when…

Ok, that last part is mine (in case you missed the significance of the quotes).

I’d go recalculate what this additional mailing is costing the U.S. taxpayer, but it probably have to redo the math tomorrow when I get another post card…

Until then, don’t forget to pay your taxes.

General Census, government spending

On the census.

Three weeks ago I got a post card in the mail indicating I’d get the census in the mail within the next two weeks.

Two weeks ago I received the census in the mail, telling me I needed to provide the name and number of those living in my house on April 1, but I needed to return the census as soon as possible.  Presumably before April 1. I filled it out and mailed it in two days after receiving it.

One week ago I got another post card in the mail reminding me to fill out the census and mail it in ASAP.  But if I’ve already done it, there is nothing else for me to do.

Thanks.  Got it.

Two out of three mailings weren’t required, one of which wasn’t even applicable to my situation.

So here’s how the math works out.  It costs the average Joe $0.28 to mail a post card in the United States.  There are also just over 110,000,000 households in the United States.

So neglecting any “Government Discounts” on postage, and a varying household rate, that equates to $30.8 million in un-needed postage.

Sure makes that $2.5 million Super Bowl ad seem pretty cheap, doesn’t it?

General Census, government spending

Last week I sold off some Provident Energy (PVX: chart, web, Y!) stock, and some CREE (CREE: chart, web, Y!).

I’m up about 80% on CREE, and am about back to even on PVX. I’m rarely up 80% on anything (read my posts on Ford before you draw any conclusions on my trading style), and I’m overweight in PVX.

I’m sure there’s more room to run on both of these, but it’s time to score some of those gains.

General CREE, Investing, PVX