Here’s my double-bitch for the day: government inefficiency/bullshittery.

First bitch: the school system. After two days of school, I’ve had to fill out no less than six (6) information cards/forms. That’s writing the same things down six (6) times for six (6) different places in a school that are all pretty much connected or within eyeshot of one another.

How in the hell has someone not come up with a system where a parent has to fill out one form that is entered into one database that spits out information/reports tailored for whomever needs them? It wouldn’t take a week for someone who has half a clue to put it together and ad hoc reports could be created whenever needed. I am not kidding when I say that the cards/forms were identical except for maybe one data element on each card/form. And three (3) of the cards/forms were identical, but with different titles. We’re supposedly one of the wealthiest counties in supposedly the wealthiest state in the nation and we can’t simplify this? It’s redundant and it’s ridiculous.

Second bitch: the department of motor vehicles. I had a vehicle that was classified as a truck. I just renewed its registration in July, which cost me $180 for two years. The new expiration of that registration was July 31, 2010.

A couple weeks ago I got a new car that is classified as not a truck, therefore I was issued new license plates. That meant I had to return the old ones to the MVA (the DMV in MD) and request a refund for the time I already paid for the truck registration but wouldn’t be using.

When I returned the plates I was one month into a 24 month registration period. Rather than prorate the portion of fees I paid to reflect the month I used that registration and give me $167 back, I discovered I am only eligible to receive one year’s worth of fees back, or $90. So the fucking state is sucking $77 out of me while providing absolutely no good or service to me whatsoever for that money.

At least I know how Maryland stays the wealthiest state in the nation now.