Census cartoon no laughing matter

What the heck? I don't get Daniel Brannan's cartoon ("Opinion," May 14, 2010) as it addresses the U.S. Census process. I do feel there is an insult intended in there, but I am not sure whom it is directed to - although I, as a part time, temporary, U.S. Census Bureau Enumerator do feel insulted at how I and the process was depicted.

I am the person who visits housing units who have not, as yet, returned their requested census forms by mail, although I am a long way from the fat, dumpy, flat-top mullet guy with an earring as depicted in the drawing. I am an older woman who tries to dress neatly and treat each household I visit with respect and courtesy. I have this position because, after working since I was 13, I find myself laid off for seven months now and wanted to try to do something productive (as I continue my job search for a new, permanent position) and reduce my draw on unemployment benefits... hence I am not a rich, fat-cat out to embarrass anyone. I am just trying to complete my assigned work with efficiency, ethics and confidentiality.

And who is that family supposed to be in that cartoon? What's with the woman's dress? Is it supposed to depict an "old-fashioned family" who is being abused by Census Enumerators and burdened by our government? (Our government which is Constitutionally obligated, by the way, to count all of its residents every 10 years to ensure appropriate representation and federal funding based on population dispersal.) In my efforts, I have not seen this family as yet.

Maybe I've been lucky in this Enumerator job. Most people I've visited with and interviewed have been nice and fairly polite to me - some "ragging" on their unemployment status, the economy and the way the government is running (on which, I am not allowed to offer my own opinion while working), and some execute their right to refuse to answer all but the basic number-of-occupants in residence question. But overall, folks have been pleasant to interview and some actually excited to be counted.

So, Mr. Brannan, I am not sure if you had a personal bad experience or just want to make this counting more difficult. I know Kootenai County can use all the credit - and federal funding - it can get to continue to financially support its schools and social programs. I also know that we in North Idaho want to make sure we have appropriate governmental representation so our voices can be heard. So why would you try to derail an effort making sure that everyone has a vote and a value? If responses were not mailed in by the deadline, we physically go out and try to get a count of those additional people who might be missed - what is wrong with that? It is not "big brother" watching. It is our government attempting to represent and financially support everyone fairly.

In any case, Mr. Brannan, your cartoon is not very good. It is more confusing than funny or satirical. But, I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion and their freedom of speech... which apparently includes drawings. I just wish you would use your efforts and your "talents" to make a positive change. I hope this doesn't make my job harder as I only have four more weeks to make sure I get everyone included. (Ha! Funny, while I was typing this, someone just called me from a note I'd left on their door and gave me their information so they could be counted, too!)

P.S. - Thank you to everyone who has helped us gather this information including the respondents who supply the information for the statistical count and the other Enumerators, too!

Jabet Wheeler is a Hauser Lake resident.