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Bureaucracy

By Michelle Weisblat-Dane

January 8-14 

Why is it that our government offices insist on making any process as slow as possible? I lost my wallet. This meant I needed to get a new Social Security card and a new driver’s license. I’d started with the Social Security office. I figured while I was at the Social Security office I would get my children’s cards as well. This sounds like it would be easy, but no.

            So I went to the Social Security office and was directed to a machine that wanted to know why I was there. I told it and it spit out a number. There were two sets of numbers. I was an “A” number. I waited and waited. There are six counters but only one counter that serviced “A” numbers. Then she left, and 20 minutes later she returned. She finally called my number. I went to the counter. I had brought my marriage license and medical records as the brochure and web site said would do for identification, as I had no drivers’ license. I also brought the children’s birth certificates and my husband and his ID.  None of this was any good. My marriage license had to be an original certified copy. I can’t get that because the state of California lost it. My medical records didn’t work because although they can use a copy of my medical records the signature must be original. They could use a driver’s license if I had one. For the children, birth certificates aren’t good enough any more. I have to have school records proving their age and that they are still alive or a letter from the doctor saying their birth date, age and height with his original signature.

            In order to get my license I needed a birth certificate and a Social Security card. So I contacted the state of California. In order to get my birth certificate, I need a notarized statement as to who I am and all my vitals. In order to get it notarized I needed a driver’s license. I’m back at this “Catch 22” thing again. My husband can fill out the paperwork for my birth certificate. I’m glad he has his license.

We tried to get his birth certificate from the city of New York. He needs to know what borough and hospital. he was born in, 55 years later even his mother doesn’t remember that. He doesn’t need that information if he wants to fly to New York City to get it.

            When I finally went to get my license I had to wait in line to get a number, so I can wait for that number to be called, so they can approve my documents. So I can wait for my name to be called and pay the cashier. Then I had to wait for my picture to be taken and then to sign a piece of paper. Now I have to wait a month for my license to come in the mail. Isn’t bureaucracy fun? No wait, don’t answer that.