The Government, Global Warming & the Census

With Health Care getting all the buzz lately was just wondering about the following. About 2 weeks ago I got a letter from the US Government telling me to expect my census in the mail in a week. They happily reminded me that a response was mandatory. I then received the census which I filled out noting on the instructions that my response was mandatory. Today I received a card in the mail reminding me to fill out my census (yep my response is mandatory). Does this seem like it is an effective and efficient use of time & natural resources. Better yet do you want these folks in charge of brain surgery?