The morass that is the federal government
On Aug. 22 I sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Research & Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), concerning an issue with the right rearview mirror on my automobile.
On Sept. 3 I received a reply dated Sept. 1. This would be considered an excellent response time in dealing with the federal government.
However, the response I received was a repeat of the contents of my letter; an explanation that RITA was a research agency and not involved in design and manufacture of automobiles; that I should have directed my inquiry to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation as that agency "provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to reducing motor vehicle crashes and injuries."
Whew! The response then suggested that I may contact that agency and provided me with its address, which was exactly the same address of my original letter to RITA with the exception of "West Building" being added.
This is one example of how big government works. The Cash for Clunkers program is another. That program was originally set to run about three months or until $1 billion was gone. Congress had to increase the amount by $2 billion making it a $3 billion, one-month program when 700,000 new cars were sold.
Car dealers have complained that the paperwork involved is a nightmare and that payments under this program have been slow. Other recent examples are the 3,900 stimulus checks sent to prison inmates and the federal takeover and placing into conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Makes you wonder if you really want the federal government handling your health care.
Verne Jarrette
Elgin