by Digger Barr
https://gaiasgardens.guru/
The look on their faces said it all.
Their blank stares and disassociated stance spoke clearly that they were not interested in the plight of others around them.
They had problems of their own and that was all they wanted to deal with.
They had been trained by the battering winds of plutocracy to stay in their lane.
Stop asking questions and by all means, obey.
Standing in line at customer service isn’t something I do very often.
After holiday crowds typically are a thing I intentionally avoid.
But on this rare occasion I found myself waiting in line at the local grocer.
I had gotten a scratch ticket in my Christmas stocking that was a winning card.
So I found myself in line at a customer service counter where they could redeem my winnings.
This store is a regional company that also sells clothes and garden items.
Their customer service includes a variety of business services.
It is a large chain store but not with the vibe I get from Walmart. That place gives me the heebie jeebies.
It constantly amazes me what services are offered by local retail outlets customer services.
Larger conglomerates like Walmart actually run their own financial center.
When did a retailer become a bank?
Most public stores with customer service counters offer multiple options for financial transactions.
From gift cards, wire transactions to cashing checks, people without bank accounts have become reliant on their services.
They have become a valuable alternative resource in lieu of actual banking outlets.
Standing in the line in front of me was a young man about the age of my son. He didn’t seem to be in the best of circumstances.
I have no way of knowing what his situation was but as I tuned into his energy, he seemed like a nice guy in the throes of desperation.
The clerk took his request and his piece of paper.
The clerk examined the paper for details then asked for the gentleman’s identification.
The young man handed the clerk a drivers license. The clerk took the license and pointed out that it had a hole punched in it indicating it was expired.
This was not going to be accepted as identification.
There was something about that that didn’t seem quite right to me.
The clerk handed back the man’s expired drivers license and asked if he had any other id.
The man took back his license and shook his head. You could see his shoulders slump in disappointment.
I spoke up from my place in line. I said directly to the clerk. I don’t think that is correct.
I said even if the license has been punched making it an expired driver’s license it is still a legal form of photo Id.
The young man pocketed his paper and left the counter.
I am sure he heard me speak up for him but he wasn’t sticking around to find out the answer to my protest.
He had learned this lesson already.
He had his no and was probably trying to figure out what he needed to do next.
On the other hand, I was not accepting the answer and stepped up to the counter.
I said to the clerk. The hole punch invalidates a license for the ability to drive a car, but it still serves as a valid Id. I said.
His response was an adamant, “No, it is expired and no longer valid”.
He took my lottery card and gave me my money.
I tried again. “I really think if you can see his name and picture clearly it works fine as an Id” I said.
He looked past me and beckoned to the next in line.
My time was clearly done.
I looked at the people in line for support.
They were not going to engage.
I left the store not feeling right about what I had witnessed.
I took it home and got on the computer.
I found out that in our state, an expired drivers license can indeed serve as a valid Id for a full year after expiration.
Another source stated up to 5 years.
Not knowing if the clerk had checked the date or if he knew this important distinction, I called the store.
I actually got connected to the same clerk. He remembered me from moments before.
I asked him if he had checked the expiration date and relayed the information I had gleaned from a quick research online.
He did not respond to my question because he had already hung up.
I had become what my son good heartedly called ‘annoying’.
It is true that when one questions authority they can become disruptive.
Apparently at some point, in order to get along we decide to become complacent instead and this is what is deemed acceptable social behavior.
Oh boy, did I ever come from a different mold. I am not rude to people. I just like to know the answers.
I don’t think asking questions with reasonable expectation to engage intellectual thought is disruptive.
There are some that disagree.
I question the authority we give to parties that do not really have authority to make policy that affect our lives.
I can appreciate store policy that is designed to keep the business interest of ‘well being’ intact.
But when store policy interferes with our operations of day to day living or our rights to function in society by accepted lawful agreements, then I think we need to speak up and ask questions.Maybe re-examine policies.
Yes, I was one that got removed from stores for not complying with wearing a mask.
And yes, I will be the one that speaks up when I witness an injustice in the public realm.
I will continue to stand by ideas of fairness, freewill and justice.
My goal is toward full sovereignty.
These are baby steps in a blinded dystopian generation.
Customer service should be just that. A service provided to help the customer.
If they offer a service it should at least be in compliance with the acceptable rules that guide our society.
It is a violation of our rights when random policies are allowed to flourish.
If we have an acceptable form of Id from the governing rule of law, that should be acceptable Id from which to conduct our business.
To continue to accept random enforced regulations of questionable authority is a step in the wrong direction.
I do not know if the store policy needs to be looked at or if that lone clerk simply made an error.
I will find out as I did contact the corporate office and had a nice conversation with a store representative.
I also have a reference number to follow up with.
Some of my law abiding friends have called me an anarchist.
Not really when I am pushing for us to be able to have our Constitutional rights intact.
Recently I have been able to turn the tables on them when they become verbally disgruntled about the US Election results.
Do I hear rumors of wanting to overthrow the government?
Who’s the anarchist now?
This makes me chuckle.
I think that is a whole different article in the making.
Well for me the new year has taken its first step.
It seems to be a firm step in a continuation of how my journey has always been.
I very much look forward to how this year is to unfold.
One can almost feel wheels of justice turning.
Redemption is palatable.
may the blessings of prosperity reach us all,
much love
Digger 25