header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Wednesday, Jun 4, 2014

mug_darrylmanzerThe Kentucky State Policeman asked the driver of the car he pulled over: “You have any ID?” The driver responded, “’bout what?”

I went and applied for work today. Made it through the whole process. I’m drug-free and my background investigation is clear. I’m all ready to be hired. I even took two forms of identification as requested.

Well, I took the wrong two forms of ID. It seems a California driver’s license and a retired ID card from the Navy are not enough. I needed my passport or my Social Security card, too. Alas, I stopped carrying my Social Security card years ago. I’d been told it was safer to prevent ID theft. And I don’t make it a point to carry my passport to the San Fernando Valley … this time I forgot. Mea culpa.

All of this is required to ensure I am a legal resident or citizen. So I have an ID card that will get me on any military base, and I can drive there with my legal driver’s license. I just can’t get a job with those two identification forms. You see, they come from the same list.

I needed a single item from list “A” or one item each from list “B” and “C.” The two items I took were both from list “B.” A Social Security card is on list “C.” Of course, the Social Security card won’t gain me entrance into any place.

Where do we get such stupid laws and regulations? Maybe it is good we had an election Tuesday. I hope we are moving toward representatives who will look at stupid regulations like this and stop the insanity.

No wonder the unemployment rate isn’t decreasing. The regulations to get a job legally are endless.

dm_idOf course, while I was in that particular employment agency, the other applicants were not speaking English. What has happened? I don’t resent them getting jobs. I applaud their efforts. I just don’t understand the documentation I must have. Me, a citizen of the United States since birth. Thirty-six years of service in the Navy. And since my forms of ID are not from separate lists, I can’t get a minimum-wage job.

At least I can get on any military base in the area and visit old friends without a problem.

As I looked at the election returns, I saw that some folks were actually thinking about how they are voting. I can only hope that for once, I voted for the winners.

I think there should be a moratorium on any elected body from making new laws until they clean out some of the bad ones. We have enough laws. Maybe it is time we flushed many of them down the sewer of bad laws – and regulations.

Maybe it isn’t true, but does it seem to you like we add more rules and laws and regulations but never seem to get rid of the bad ones? By the time the average person jumps through all of the hoops just to get some paperwork filled out to get a job – you can see the problem.

I had to fill out a long list of questions about drug and alcohol use and abuse. On some of those I wanted to answer, “No I haven’t done any of that, but I’m willing to learn.” Now that we have a president who has used illegal drugs (a lot), what does it matter, anyway? If the guy in that job can have a past like he has, why can’t I? Oh – we don’t really know his past; the records have not been released.

As I write this, it appears we could have a 25th Congressional District runoff between two Republicans. Gee, one lives in the district and the other doesn’t. Imagine if the one who does live here wins in November by one vote – his vote. At least it wouldn’t be a tie. But the winner could win by his own vote … interesting. (Caused by yet another stupid law.)

Just how could our long-term congressman endorse someone outside the district? Strange things afoot, indeed.

As for me, I’m off to the employment agency with my proper documentation. Off to prove that something without my picture proves I am me.

I wonder if I show them this column, they’ll let me get a new I-9 form? Never hurts to try.

You know, I voted yesterday without showing any identification. Didn’t need an I-9 to do that. But maybe we should require IDs to vote – and to ensure we all do vote, maybe we should make it a requirement. If you don’t vote, you don’t get services. I’ll bet voter turnout would skyrocket.

But showing an ID is not good for the election process. It is good for just about everything else we do.

Funny that we work things like we do. I’ll have to file this in a place I’ll remember it: right next to my passport and Social Security card.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries, published on Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

4 Comments

  1. Old jokes are the best.

  2. My god !!! I’ve never seen or read such blatant pussy footing. Wahhhh… I can’t get hired. Wahhhh the Mexican can’t speak…..
    Wahhhh

    Hey dick guess what they actually probably went online before going to the unemployment place and read what you needed to take with you.

    Stop crying and blaming others for your misfortunes. It is annoying and stupid, I swear this whole story was nothing but a lame sob story.

    Just get off your ass get the damn ID and social and it’s done.

    Comparing a job application to voting right also#!!! What the hell is wrong with you. How can you compare the 2.

  3. So maybe the test for employment was set up to see if he could follow directions? He seems to have been aware of what they were but chose to ignore them?

  4. Thanks for an I opening article. Behind you about 90%!

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com