Posted on 12/14/2009 4:04:05 AM PST by Kaslin
Last week, I spent an afternoon in the local DMV office getting my driver license renewed. I had to sit and wait for about ninety minutes in a room full of people who reminded me how much I dread the prospect of universal health care. Then, I was finally assisted by a government agent who reminded me how much I dread the prospect of universal health care.
Most of the people at the North Carolina DMV aren’t very pleasant. That’s why I’ve decided to move to Washington State where the people who update your driver license are much more accommodating and friendly.
In Washington, they allow you to change the address on your driver license for just $10. And they give you ten days to do it. That’s a real bargain for college students who are constantly moving from one place to the next.
Washington also allows you to change the name on your driver license for just $10. That’s great for those women who are getting married or guys like me who are having a midlife crisis and considering reforming the bands we used to play with in college. When I do that I’m going to change my name to “The artist formerly known as Mike.”
But, of all the great things they do for the Washington driver, none compares to the new “change your gender designation” option. And you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to do it. You can sit back with a Starbuck’s latte and mail a written request to:
Assistant Director for Driver Policy and Programs Department of Licensing PO Box 9030 Olympia, WA 98507-9030
The request must include the usual information such as the name, address, and gender designation shown on one’s current driver license. It must also include the name, address, and gender designation to be shown on one’s new driver license.
Aside from those basics, all one really needs is a letter on official letterhead from a licensed medical, osteopathic physician or psychologist stating that the appropriate medical treatment has been initiated. By that, Washington State means the surgery needed to change one’s sex rather than the psychiatric treatment needed to “cure” one’s compulsion to engage in medically supervised genital mutilation.
I think these are really good and progressive changes of which the State of Washington can be proud. But more should be done.
First of all, I think Washington should amend its laws to accommodate those who regularly change their gender designation. For example, a University of Texas journalism professor once stated that he/she preferred to be a man on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and a woman on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. (Note: I am not certain what he/she did on Sunday although I would recommend a “day of rest” from any gender designation).
We need to accommodate these people by allowing them to keep two driver licenses to use on alternating days. Furthermore, there should be no requirement that they have documentation that “appropriate medical treatment has been initiated.” The term “appropriate” is entirely too judgmental. Plus, we do not yet have a national health care plan that assists those who are afflicted both by poverty and gender identity confusion.
I once learned - at a transgendered law seminar – that gender is between the ears not between the legs. Our government policies should embrace that notion fully.
When Washington State does finish with its accommodation of those experiencing gender identity confusion it should turn “appropriate” attention to those who experience racial identity confusion.
Even Barack Obama has reported harassment at the hands of the police – most notably when he was a student at Harvard. His experience underscores the importance of allowing bi-racial men to have a driver license that says “white” in order to avoid a police beating – whether in the Harvard yard or elsewhere.
But we should also let bi-racial people have a driver license that says “black” – or whatever their other race happens to be. They can use this other license on occasions where they need to benefit from affirmative action or otherwise use their marginal minority status as a crutch.
The important thing is that we begin to see public offices in a new way. They are not only there to perform the basic functions of government. They exist to engage in social engineering at all levels. And they exist to alleviate discomfort - even when it is self-inflicted.
You got to sit??
I remember standing for longer than that.
Here in Florida you can renew via mail, or go the the DMV and wait maybe 15 minutes or go thru the drive thru. Havent found any problem compaired to what torture we had to go through in NY.
Yes, I too am looking forward to taking my children to DMV-like “medical facilities” where caring and concerned civil servants will provide quality politician-provided medical care.
We can watch our congressmen and women through the dirty windows as they enter their upscale medical facilities for the kind of care we used to get.
How is it that Americans aren’t ready to shed blood over the fact that congress is exempting themselves from they living nightmare they are working to unleash?
How is it that we don’t hear more about this? Are we so far gone that we now view politicians as royals, nobles, kings and queens?
Is America already dead?
He went to the wrong DMV, on the wrong day and probably at the wrong time.
I live in Raleigh, and you should always go on Tues, Wed, or Thurs. and either mid-morning or mid-afternoon (never at lunch). If you are informed (enough), you can also avoid the popular ones for Hispanics who tend to slow things down due to language barriers.
When I went earlier this year, I was in and out in less than 20 or 30 (can’t remember) minutes. They gave my an eye test, changed the address (I’d moved since I’d renewed previously), and I paid to keep the license good for 8 years, so now I go less often.
We have a private tag and title place here that goes through the MVA hassle for you. It costs a few extra bucks, but it is well worth it.
They are friendly, no line, they know the hassles and how to beat them, you pay an extra $15.00 and are out of there in 15 minutes or less.
When I moved to NJ in 96, it took me 2 days and 3 trips to the DMV to get my license converted. About 8-10 hours in the building seeing various people.
In 2000 when I renewed it took 3 hours.
In 2004 it took around 90 minutes.
In the fall of 2004 Jim McGreevey “I’m a gay American” implemented changes to the DMV to make it the Motor Vehicle Commission.
I don’t know what he did, but in 2008, I was in and out in 9 minutes with a newly printed license. Yes, I timed it, expecting the worst. Walked to the counter, filled out a short form, handed my old license...stood for a picture and my license shot out a minute later, paid and walked out.
I also only go on off peak hours so it wasn’t timing in the earlier renewals.
If government behaved like that at all levels, I wouldn’t dislike it so much.
Here in Tennessee, you can renew online and if you are 60 and older you don’t even need a photo
This is one of the best items I have read in months, maybe years. Those who really think this is about the DMV should go back and read it again.
Which brings us to the next point:
“Most of the people at the North Carolina DMV aren’t very pleasant. That’s why I’ve decided to move to Washington State where the people who update your driver license are much more accommodating and friendly.”
He MOVED because of that??
And hoiw do you know where to move to - where they are friendly at the DMV?
As for CA, I must say that routine things (lic renew, reg renew) are pretty much handled by mail. So, no wait. Don’t even have to go to the DMV.
For those things where you must interact, appointments are available. It has been a while, but even in a busy Los Angeles office, I was in and out in 10-15 minutes.
With no appointment, I have no doubt one could be there for a while. But my Dad, who ceased driving this year, got his CA ID card (non-driving version of a dr lic) in about 30 minutes. Maybe 40. Not horrible.
So I am not so down on the DMV as a model of inefficiency >>FOR THIS LEVEL<< of task. 95% of what they do is very routine and nobody cares if the floor is dirty and the trash cans are overflowing. Nobody cares if the last time the place was painted was in 1957, in industrial surf green.
But I think such things would matter for health care.
I think that may have been in jest.
The DMV people I encountered were fine, but their nerves hadn’t been shot by a long line of idiots ahead of me, either.
In fairness, it’s rare to find what I’d call a truly unfriendly person. When many find one, I’d say in most cases, he/she has just had it (”up to here”) trying to work with an ignorant public. There are some truly stupid people out there. I’d get frustrated, too.
When I was building my house, the inspection process was the most negative encounter I’ve ever had with government; enough to drive me to swear off building myself.
"Is America already dead?" Yes
I guess he was lucky that he found a seat
I went to the DMV to renew my Drivers License a few weeks ago.
When I got to the desk in front of the 1st line and showed the notice to renew I was told to go to the next line to the registration clerks. There were two lines of unequal length so I ask which one.
The lady said, “Oh, you want the longest one. It is for English speakers. I said “Why cant I go to the short line? (2 People)I speak Spanish.”
I was then told that the short line was for people who were Hispanic. I ask her if the two gentlemen were from Hispaniola? “No.” She replied,”They are Mexican. I ask how she knew that and she replied that they looked Mexican. I ask her what I looked like and she replied(maybe for good reason)Irish!
It’s not hard to figure out why we seem to be unable to enforce our laws.
WE JUST HAVE TO MANY SPANISH SPEAKING IRISHMEN IN TEXAS!
A few months ago, I went to the local Post office in Tampa..2PM, about 25 people in line, only one clerk working. A few places in front of me is a nure..I’d say about 40, in scrubs....after a 35 minute wait, she finally concluded her business....she walks to the door, turns around, and shouts....”and you want the government to run your health care....you people are insane...”
I agree..FL is FANTASTIC...I moved to Florida from NY 2 years ago..where the DMV is like hell on earth...when I went to get a license, and register my car..I figured it would take all day.. I had a book, water, a sandwich, and snacks all set. I get there, ( BTW I’m astonished..the place is CLEAN, bright, cheerful)..I’m given a number..settle down to what I figure is a long wait..I’m called 5 minutes later..clerk is smiling, actually eager to help...as we start the process..he tells me that in order to register my car, I have to have a form filled out which verifies the VIN number..this can be done either by a car dealer or a police officer...sheriff or highway patrol..I’m saying to myself..”Oh s**t!!”..then he tells he to move my car to a designated space in front of the office, and a deputy will be ourside in a minute to check the VIN and complete the form. I can’t believe it... It took me 30 minutes for the WHOLE SHEBANG.. to obtain my FL license, ( and they happily took my pic again after I didn’t like the first one) register my car, including surrendering the NY title...with the VIN inspection and the extra time to get a special plate ( STOP HEART DISEASE) and register to vote. I felt like I’d stepped into an alternate universe..
”and you want the government to run your health care....you people are insane...”You said it! (Well, actually, quoted it.)
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