Originally, the Census was a system for working out representation in the House of Representatives. Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution.

I've been listening to the Census commercials for some time now. Apparently the primary function of the modern Census is to make sure you get your share of the loot. Hey, if you don't participate, you won't get your loot! Somebody ELSE will get that loot! You don't want that to happen, do you?

Particularly sickening are commercials targeted to Native Americans, who have been essentially forced to live as wards of the Federal Government for decades, with predictable results. Fill out your form or you'll get screwed out of even that pathetic piece of the loot you've been getting!