The wonders of government inefficiency

[disneysteve]

This isn't really a financial post, but could be interpreted as one if you talk about how much the government spends on things like this.

As part of my medical practice, we provide care for merchant marines and employees at the local ports. Homeland Security now requires anyone entering the ports to have a Transportation Worker Identification Certification (TWIC) card. Getting this ID card requires going to a TWIC center, filling out an application, presenting a couple of forms of government-issued ID (license, passport, birth certificate, etc.), having your picture taken, getting fingerprinted, having biometric scans of your index fingers and then waiting a couple of weeks for them to do a background check on you.

After all that is done, they notify you that you can come get your card.

That all sounds fine. What amused me, though, was that the pick up notice said to be sure and bring photo ID. Now after going through that entire process, why do I need to show ID to pick up the card? You've got my picture, my fingerprints and my biometrics. Can't you use those things to identify me? If not, what was the whole point of the process? If my license is sufficient ID, why not just let me flash that to get into the port, like I always could before? Oh yes, I forgot. The TWIC card cost me $132.50 and is only good for 5 years.

What a scam. Tens of thousands of port workers around the country have to shell out $132.50 every 5 years to be able to go to work. It is basically a tax on port workers. It won't surprise me at all if when renewal time rolls around, the fee has been increased.

[cooliemae]

I understand your frustration with government inefficiency...i work for it.

Let's see...

I've been fingerprinted at least 5 times now.
My first two background checks was done because all federal employees now have to have one completed and "secure" id made from them (i.e. biometric data on electronic card). One check by FBI, and one by Homeland Security.
My third background check was done because I work with kids.
My fourth background check will be completed soon because I drive a government vehicle. (You would think that my state license would suffice)

You would think that one would be enough, but because the various agencies in charge of doing the checks don't talk to each other, the checks have to be done independently.

I can just see it happening that someone's identification check comes back clean and the driver's check comes back bad, so that someone could get into the secure area of Agency X, but they can't drive a vehicle.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by cooliemae

the various agencies in charge of doing the checks don't talk to each other, the checks have to be done independently.

Exactly. Isn't that just what creating the Homeland Security department was supposed to solve? It was supposed to create a central agency that oversaw all of those types of issues. Instead, it has just added yet another layer of bureacracy to deal with. Instead of saving taxpayer money, it has made things even more inefficient and costs taxpayers billions more.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by cooliemae

You would think that one would be enough, but because the various agencies in charge of doing the checks don't talk to each other, the checks have to be done independently.

As a goverment (state) employee myself, I see needless duplication of things on a regular basis. It's incredible how disorganized and uncoordinated the goverment can be at all levels.

A buisness in the private sector that acted this inefficiently would be out of buisness in short order.

[cooliemae]

Well, just a follow-up. I found out today, that because I used the local sheriff's fingerprint form and not the one provided by the feds, my fingerprints will have to be done over again.

How asinine!

[creditcardfree]

Ah...government inefficiency, don't get my husband started!! He's an officer in the Army...reserves side. He could talk your ear off.

[srblanco7]

Governmental efficiency - the ultimate oxymoron.