The benefits of more Jedi

Eric Crampton writes:

Now is the time for all good Jedi to come to the aid of their country.

In the classic Cold War film, Dr Strangelove reminded us that it is pointless for a country to have a doomsday device if it is kept secret.

While the Cold War ended more than a quarter century ago, turmoil has engulfed the international community.

American taxation of trade routes to outlying countries like New Zealand is in dispute after it abandoned the Pacific’s Trade Federation.

China’s National Assembly eliminated term limits for its Supreme Chancellor.

And droid armies are rising.

Fortunately, the Census is at hand.

How can more Jedi help?

New Zealand has a strong Jedi contingent. But like Dr Strangelove’s Doomsday Device, deterrent capability is limited if nobody knows about it. And Statistics New Zealand knows this. That is why Jedi is one of the religions listed as an option on the online forms, making it easier for Jedi to self-declare.

It is illegal to lie on the Census, so I could not declare myself to be a Jedi. But my daughter… the Force is strong with that one.

Census Day is 6 March. Are you our only hope?

Can we beat the 19,000 Jedi of 2013?