On the American political satire mockumentary television sitcom Parks and Recreation, the episode “Correspondents’ Lunch” (Season 5, Episode 15) that originally aired on February 21, 2013, the character Ron Swanson (played by Nick Offerman) says:
 
“I have a joke for you. (“OK” is heard.—ed.) The government in this town is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently.”
 
“That’s not really a joke,” is the response. Ron Swanson answers with, “I disagree. I find it hilarious.”
 
The “joke” became popular on libertarian and anarchist websites.
 
     
Parks and Recreation Wiki
“Correspondents’ Lunch” is the fifteenth episode in the fifth season of the NBC television series Parks and Recreation. It originally aired on February 21, 2013 to 2.95 million viewers.
     
X/Twitter
Anthony Roman
@NoItsRoman
The government in this town is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently. #ParksAndRec
9:03 PM · Feb 21, 2013
 
X/Twitter
Mark P.
@map408psu
“I’ve got a joke: The government in this town is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently.” #ParksAndRec
9:03 PM · Feb 21, 2013
 
X/Twitter
.
@end_logic
I have a joke for you: the government in this town is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently #parksandrec
9:03 PM · Feb 21, 2013
   
X/Twitter
Jason Paul
@mynameisjosan
“I have a joke for you. The government in this town is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently.” #ParksandRec
9:04 PM · Feb 21, 2013
 
X/Twitter
Jay Jennings
@skubalon
“The govt in this town is excellent & uses your tax dollars efficiently.” -Ron Swanson humor at it’s best.
9:04 PM · Feb 21, 2013
   
X/Twitter
Victoria ☀️Cole
@Victoriaa_Colee
” I have a joke for you- the government is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently” #parksandrec #ronswanson
6:56 PM · Dec 8, 2013
 
X/Twitter
Ron Swanson
@Sir_Ron_Swanson
I have a joke for you…
The government in this town is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently.
5:13 PM · Jul 21, 2014
   
Reddit—Libertarian
burtmaklin1—April 1, 2017
The government in this town is excellent and uses your tax dollars efficiently
 
YouTube
Ron Tells A Joke | Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation
Feb 15, 2020 UNITED KINGDOM
Ron Swanson, comedic genius
Your favorite shows, movies and more are here. Stream now on Peacock: https://pck.tv/3XjpSJy
Parks and Recreation is streaming now on Peacock: https://pck.tv/3XjpSJy
From Season 5, Episode 15 “Correspondent’s Lunch” - Leslie’s speech for a media event goes missing; Ben starts his new job; Ann asks someone an important question.
(...)
Transcript
0:51 slack I have a job for you ok the
0:54 government in this town is excellent and
0:56 uses your tax dollars efficiently that’s
1:01 not really a joke I disagree I find it
1:04 hilarious
 
YouTube
I have a joke! | Ron Swanson cracking himself up
ANAVIVO
Jan 23, 2021
If you’ve never seen it, you’re missing out. Parks and Rec, the mockumentary that along with The Office, started a new Genre of film-production. This is a clip of the show and is copyrighted material not owned by this channel.
 
X/Twitter
Historic Vids
@historyinmemes
One of the best jokes in television history
(A video is shown.—ed.)
6:10 AM · Apr 13, 2024