Neurotic Nourishment: Season Two, Episode 33: Ariel Elias: Comedians Can Change The World

Neurotic Nourishment

Ariel Elias, a Kentucky Jew turned NYC transplant, was not named after The Little Mermaid, FYI. And if you had any doubt, listen to the comedian kick ass in a Roast Battle -- no way some fish-girl could rip someone's soul out with a smile. A lot of people in the entertainment industry have taken on new jobs during the recession of the pandemic, but Ariel's job is potentially game-changing. Ariel works for the 2020 Census Department (go to www.2020census.gov and you can fill it out online). Ariel spends her days knocking on doors in an attempt to find out more about what the individuals in a certain community need in order to better themselves. Sometimes people answer. Sometimes assholes like me duck behind the couch and loudly whisper to their children to be quiet and pretend no one is home. (What, like you never pulled that shit?) The thing is, the results of the 2020 Census are as important as the results of the 2020 election. Perhaps even more so. (Disclaimer: You should get off your ass and vote, I am by no means excusing you from November 3rd) Data collected from the 2020 Census is used to determine the number of people in a given community, the most important needs of that community, and therefore how government money should be allotted for supplemental aid such as improvements for schools, roads, healthcare, Medicaid, educational programs such as Head Start, mental health services, and nutrition assistance programs. These services are essential for the survival of some of the disenfranchised or impoverished communities. But, without the information from the census, we lack the numbers to convince the government to spend the money. Equally important, population determines the the number of seats each state is allotted within the House of Representatives. And that can clearly be a game changer. Please, please, please spread the word about participating in the 2020 census. And please, please, please follow the amazing Ariel Elias on Twitter and Instagram @ArielSElias --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/neuroticnourishment/support