You might think it is easy to count heads, but few government functions are more susceptible to politics, and both these issues are thoroughly soaked in the stuff.

If Obama takes direct control of the census, the duty would fall to his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, who has been called many things, but never "non-political." And as for the compromise over D.C. representation, if Washington gains a representative, he or she most certainly would be a Democrat. The reason Utah would receive one, as well, is that ours would almost certainly be a Republican. That once was considered an essential element to get a seat for Washington. But those were the days when Republicans controlled Congress. Today, Utah's part in that compromise is growing unnecessary.

Meanwhile, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who is a strong supporter of the bill to grant Washington a seat, has said it is wrong to fixate on one word in the Constitution.

Unfortunately for Utahns who believe that document literally, they may not have the luxury of parsing words if they want the kind of representation their growing state deserves.

Jay Evensen is editor of the Deseret News edito?rial page. E-mail: even@desnews.com. Visit his blog at www.deseretnews.com/blogs.