Government Treatment? Private Company Treatment?

Lady at Social Security Office: “Since it’s been more than two years since your divorce, you’ll need to provide additional identification to change your name. You need a document with your maiden name and your date of birth.”

Cindy: “How about her birth certificate?”

Lady: “No Ma’am, that only proves she was born, it can’t be used as identification.”

Huh? A piece of paper with my name and date of birth. You really can’t get more official than a birth certificate! She said a note from my doctor would work, as long as it’s stamped. I don’t know what that means either, but I called one of my 27 doctors and just asked them to make it look as official as possible.

In case you’re wondering why I didn’t take care of the name change earlier–I tried once before my surgery. I waited for two hours for them to call my number, then discovered that was the line to get your name put into a line. I didn’t have ALL day to sit there, so I had to leave. Shortly after, my symptoms started and I was off and running with this brain tumor adventure.

Contrast the policies that these government agencies have been bombarding me with to the service I received today from a private company. I ordered a gift basket (various food items) for someone today  to be delivered early next week. A few hours after placing the order, I  realized that the recipients would not be in town to receive the basket. I called Harry and David and explained my error. They said they couldn’t change the delivery date since the shipping label was already printed. I asked to speak to a supervisor. She explained that she would try to change the delivery date but that it may already be on the truck and on it’s way. She also said that coming home to a basket of goodies gone bad is unpleasant, but if that happens Harry and David would replace the basket at no charge. WHAT? I was so used to being told “tough luck” that I had a hard time believing that she was helping me.

What if the government were run like that? Trying to please you instead of trying to make things difficult. Just a thought.