Another example of bureaucracy gone mad
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326727)
Rockingham, Australia
September 18, 2019 8:52pm CST
Now that we’re ‘old-age pensioners’, we get a few perks from the government. For starters, if you live a certain distance from the metropolitan area, you get a voucher each year for $500 of free fuel. Couples only get one voucher between them.
There is a number to ring to find out how much is left on your fuel card. Last time, I used all my quota bar 17c so I thought that was pretty smart.
Our driver’s licences are free. Mine is valid for five years but because Vince has Type 2 diabetes, he has to renew his licence each year. This used to involve a visit to the doctor to verify that he was not a risk on the road. (They never ask my opinion! 
)
Now, he can tick a ‘no change’ box. However, bureaucracy being what it is, he has to send in a form, they bill him for $0.00, he sends a form paying $0.00 and they send a receipt for $0.00. Luckily, it can all be done electronically. But have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous?
And the photo shows that the camera sometimes lies.
)
Now, he can tick a ‘no change’ box. However, bureaucracy being what it is, he has to send in a form, they bill him for $0.00, he sends a form paying $0.00 and they send a receipt for $0.00. Luckily, it can all be done electronically. But have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous?
And the photo shows that the camera sometimes lies.34 people like this
34 responses
@kobesbuddy (75108)
• East Tawas, Michigan
19 Sep 19
At least you and Vince have a gigantic smile, over all of this I laugh when we get notified by our health insurance company, with all kinds of crazy figures they know we could never figure out! Then, our amount due $0.00.
Why did they waste a postage stamp, to send this in the first place?
I laugh when we get notified by our health insurance company, with all kinds of crazy figures they know we could never figure out! Then, our amount due $0.00.
Why did they waste a postage stamp, to send this in the first place?3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (75108)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Sep 19
@JudyEv And the very next day, I received a duplicate copy of the same statement!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326727)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Sep 19
@kobesbuddy And the government is the one that's always on to the public about not wasting stuff. 
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12499)
• Ireland
19 Sep 19
@judyev As a decrepit old person of 61 I get free train and bus travel anywhere in NI. When I get to 65 that extends to the entire island. I only really use it to travel into Belfast city, and only if I’m going alone since the young slip of a girl I married is only 57 and has to pay so its cheaper to go by car.
2 people like this
@TishaMears (1026)
• United States
19 Sep 19
Hey! That's awesome! Here in the U.S.A. we have no such options. At least you don't have to pay for all that paperwork. No such luck over here. My parents have to budget their travel plans.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326727)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Sep 19
@TishaMears I wouldn't want to be a politician for all the tea in China. They have a thankless task and there are no easy answers to any of the country's problems - yours or mine.
1 person likes this
@TishaMears (1026)
• United States
21 Sep 19
@JudyEv Sure. With the upcoming election over here, that's the main issue U.S.A. citizens have been deciding. Socialism or Capitalism. What's the better way? We left dear old England for a better way... but have we really been "better" than our "sister" country(ies)?
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
20 Sep 19
It is pretty ridiculous. Love your photo lol
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
19 Sep 19
oh my gosh't the photo!
wow, y'all've way more 'perks' than those livin' here'n the u.s. no such monkey 's fuel vouchers, free drivers licenses, etc. e'en those who're low income'n receive medicaid don't get those sort'a thingies.
i reckon this'd be a way fer 'em to keep their records straight? i do hope the bill 'n receipt come 'lectronically 'n not via snail mail - that'd sure be a waste 'f funds!2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
20 Sep 19
@JudyEv aint that the truth? could'ja jest 'magine the cost 'f paper shufflin' basically nothin'? lol
1 person likes this
I have not heard of a ridiculous thing like that.
@Letranknight2015 (51555)
• Philippines
19 Sep 19
Well, they just did it out of formality. But for me personally, it's waste of paper lol.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (80172)
• United States
19 Sep 19
It does seem a bit silly to be billed $0.00 and then have to go through the hassle of submitting the form.
Love the picture!! certainly gave me a smile this morning 
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Sep 19
Hahaha I love the photo. Oh yes our government are just as efficient as yours. For example they did away with car tax disc for the type of car I have it causes less pollution but I still had to traipse to the post office to get a disc to say I paid nothing for it. Our governments are so bright eh!
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
19 Sep 19
We pay $35 for 4 years, then we have to renew.
2 people like this
@olliesmum (828)
• Norwich, England
19 Sep 19
Over here we get free prescriptions when we reach 60 and,here in Norfolk, we get free bus passes when we reach 65 - weirdly that's lowered to 60 if you live in Scotland or London! We then get a household fuel allowance in the winter when we get to 65.
2 people like this
