Less Stress is What We Need from Government These Days, Right?

Oh, man! I’ve done it now.

I just went and played the ole’ “Open Letter” card in emails to my two representatives in the Texas Legislature (very sorry, Rep. Bonnen and Sen. Huffman), Texas Governor Gregg Abbott and whoever reads the “customer service” messages at the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“Please know I will be repeating this request in an open letter I plan to post on my blog at DonCudd.com,” I warned (or words to that effect, at least. I worded it a little differently each time).

Sigh…

I wish I’d been less dramatic.

Having worked in a lot of newsrooms over the years, I’ve seen plenty of “open letters” get laughed at and/or ignored summarily, by even rookie reporters. (I must be honest, sometimes by me. The writers usually come across as delusional. “Does this guy really think he’s going to change the world with this letter,” I’ve asked with a chuckle as I hit the delete button. )

I’ve also covered enough politicians in my day to realize they don’t fuss much over open letters upset constituents may try to make public. Oh, they might grimace a little (privately) if a big advertisers shells out big bucks for a full-page open letter “against” them. But mostly they just laugh at and/or ignore these critical “pronouncements.” They’re going to do what they’re going to do, and they do. Ha!

So I doubt my idea is weighting heavy on anyone’s heart in Austin today. And it might even have even earned a chuckle or two by now from some anonymous staff member. I am under no delusion that the following words will inspire any bold new initiative that will bring widespread joy to my fellow Texans.

And, yes, I probably overdid it.

Alas, I did promise this, and I believe my idea does have potential as a killer of some stress (and overall ridiculousness) for Texans in the coming days.

So, for whatever it’s worth, I present to you, dear reader, the letter I sent via email to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s “customer service” address. (I followed up quickly with paraphrased versions to my two representatives and to the dear governor.) I believe the Lord is calling us all to simplify our lives these days, so we’ll all be better able to focus on Him; therefore, I see my idea as a Godly suggestion. Who knows? Maybe you (and some folks in Austin) will agree.

Here goes:

Hello!

My issue briefly: 

My drivers license expired on April 10. I am ineligible to renew via telephone or online this year, so  I began the process for renewal on March 9 by ordering a certified copy of my birth certificate for presentation at my local office.  As the Texas Department of Vital statistics indicated delivery of the birth certificate copy would take 20-25 days, I believed I had sufficient time to receive the certificate and appear at my local DPS office to renew before April 10. 

And then the “COVID 19 shutdown” began in late March. 

I have finally received telephone confirmation (along with a FEDEX tracking number) that my birth certificate is in route to me (as of yesterday, April 20). And, on the outside chance that the State of Texas might have temporarily suspended rules making folks like me ineligible for online renewal I called the state’s automated phone number today, entered my information and was told, indeed, that I am not eligible to renew my license in this way. 

The automated system, after telling me I’d have to appear at an office in person for renewal, then informed me that, by order of Gov. Abbott, all DPS offices are closed until further notice. 

So I wonder now what a Texan like me is to do. Any suggestions?

Note: Please know that I intend to reach out to my state representative and senator, and perhaps even the governor, later today to share my belief that temporarily suspending rules requiring select Texans to appear in person for their renewals would be a wonderfully practical move for our blessed state to make.  (If the issue is desired compliance with national policy regarding identification, I suggest Texas take President Trump up on his call for states to take responsibility for their own leadership in this strange time.) Perhaps this note will find its way to a DPS leader or two who might also be inclined to push for such a policy.   Is it not exceedingly stressful to even think about the barrage of in-person license renewals apparently now set to come about all at once later this summer for our beloved state’s already-taxed DPS offices? Can Texas’ leaders come together peacefully — without a lot of political and/or bureaucratic nonsense —  for the cause of statewide stress reduction in this trying time? I, for one, believe they can! But it does initially require a few of us standing up, at least a little, for common sense these days. Please count me in on that, for whatever it’s worth!)

Please also know that I’ll also be turning this message into a, more or less, open letter to Texas State Officials available for viewing (and discussion) later today on DonCudd.com. 

Blessings,

Don Cudd — Sweeny, Texas