House Bans Census Mailings That Aren't Census Mailings

If you received one of the GOP's fundraising letters designed to look like an official U.S. Census form, hang on to it (assuming you didn't "return it along with your generous contribution") — that piece of paper could soon be an historic artifact…

The House passed legislation Wednesday that would ban misleading mailings designed to appear they're from the Census Bureau, following criticism that Republican groups were sending fundraising letters using the census name.

Under the bill, mailings marked "census" will be required to state the name and address of the sender, along with an unambiguous disclaimer that the survey was not affiliated with the federal government.

The legislation passed 416-0, after two Republicans who sit on the House panel overseeing the census, Rep. Darrell Issa of California and Jason Chaffetz of Utah, agreed to co-sponsor the measure. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., has said he intends to move forward with legislation in the Senate.

See how easy it is for Congress to get things done, if people put their minds to it?

Now why can't they be as efficient about banning the actual Census, the way Michele Bachmann wanted all along?

Tags: Census, Darrell Issa, House of Representatives, Jason Chaffetz, Michele Bachmann, Republicans, Tom Carper

Colbert: Send Max Baucus Your Health Care Bills

On last night's Colbert Report, Stephen proposed a brilliant plan to cover the uninsured. Since Max Baucus killed the public option, simply send him your medical bills. And don't worry, the health care industry has given Baucus over three million dollars, so he should be able to cover it. I guess if we can't send him some balls and integrity, this is the next best thing.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Tags: Bill Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, Health Care, Kent Conrad, Max Baucus, Senate, Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report, Tom Carper, Video

White House Budget Director Prefers One Gross-Tasting Soda to Other Gross-Tasting Soda

I find this revelation from Peter Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget — obtained during a session of the Senate Finance Committee yesterday — deeply disturbing…

Sen. TOM CARPER, D-Del.: We do — we need to find out what you're drinking. And…

(CROSSTALK)

ORSZAG: I will — I hope this isn't product placement, but this is Diet Coke. Apparently there's a big controversy that has broken out between Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke and what members of the administration drink what, but that's Diet Coke.

CARPER: Do you go back and forth or are you just a straight Diet Coke…

ORSZAG: No, I'm a Diet Coke guy.

ORSZAG: OK.

CARPER: All right. All right. I'm glad we got that on the record.

Diet Coke tastes like ass. No, I take that back. It tastes like diet ass.

And we're trusting the nation's budget to a guy who vouches for the taste of diet ass while under oath in congressional hearings.

No wonder the economy's going to shit.

Tags: Delaware, Economy, Peter Orszag, Senate, Tom Carper