. . THE DAMNED CHECK
. . . did not arrive in today’s mail.
Just like millions of other Americans, I rely on my monthly money from the US government. Funds payable for predetermined amounts previously paid by worker in social security taxes. Calculations for the funds returned to the workers is determined by time (years) spent working.
I’m pretty sure you already knew that.
In this case, I’m talking about MY social security check. You only have to spend time at a local social security administration office to understand the importance these funds have to citizens as the flow of supplicants (workers) is steady.
It (the main San Antonio office) was pretty well organized. Instructions on multiple wall. mounted screens, printed in several languages, including Vietnamese, explained how to proceed in order to speak with a “live” employee.
With the car safely parked and living with the hope that it would not be towed, (just in case I noted the number of the towing company listed next to an unused meter) I arrived on the second floor main office.
Take a number. I did. The number in my hand seemed not that far away from the number showing on the overhead screens. Unfortunately, multiple functions with a live employee listed multiple numbers. A hopeful thought placed the number attached to my query somewhere between the present time and perhaps tantalizingly less than 20 minutes later.
Early on in my wait, before my hope had waned, I had been cautioned by the nearby armed security guard to silence the “clicks” on my phone (like multiple others, phone game playing has become the national pastime while waiting anywhere.)
No one gives you an estimated waiting time, but anyone who has ever had to take a number in a government office knows that the waitees will wait.
One bright spot: an absolutely free giant parking lot directly across the street. I figured that out after spending a couple of minutes trying unsuccessfully to stuff a dollar bill in the meter in front of the lot.
An unexpected benefit for citizens.
So, not much to do but wait. Waitees were mostly quiet; the silence in the room broken only by occasional supplicants whose voices could be heard clearly. Too often, they did not have the correct papers or they learned (this is my imagination) that their service did not qualify for an increase in benefits. For many, the monthly check would be the only money coming to them. Therefore, the amount of time spent waiting was too important to be left for another “less busy” option or other non-human solution to their problem.
After a good solid 90 minute wait, it was my turn. My request was simple and easily handled. I think I just wanted to see if the system worked.
Could I have accomplished this project on line? Probably, but I’m involved in internet issues and I wanted to rectify the problem by chatting up a real person. I have learned over the years when talking to a US federal government employee, that you will talk to a knowledgeable, probably pretty smart, well-mannered representative.
The only downside: you wait your turn. But, I’m retired.
Money may be iffy, but time I’ve got.
I’m sure the check’s in the mail: tomorrow, for sure.
.
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