Opening a PO box...

[Ron Whitfield]

...in this day of Bush's Nazi elitists only Amerika.
Or am I wrong?

A friend tells me that now, thanx to the fabulously sick joke called Homeland Security, you can't open a US post office box with merely a State issued ID or drivers license.
You must now have a govt. issued picture ID and either a passport, corporation ID, mortgage papers, or auto registration.

This is simply another slash at those who wish to live a basic/simpler life, outside of major goverment intrusion, like any fine American would most likely choose.

Anybody tried to open one lately?

[1stwahine]

...in this day of Bush's Nazi elitists only Amerika.
Or am I wrong?

A friend tells me that now, thanx to the fabulously sick joke called Homeland Security, you can't open a US post office box with merely a State issued ID or drivers license.
You must now have a govt. issued picture ID and either a passport, corporation ID, mortgage papers, or auto registration.

I opened a PO Box last month. No problems.

Just showed my State Driver's License and paid the fee.

Auntie Lynn

[Ron Whitfield]

Thanx, AL, I'll be looking further into this.

[Kaukura]

I opened a PO Box last month. No problems.

Just showed my State Driver's License and paid the fee.

Auntie Lynn

Was the original poster talking about a PO Box at a US Postal service or a private provider? If he is, that is exactly the problem I had. I made a post on this a few months ago that I started and I had mentioned that I could not open a US Post Office box at a US Post Office (specifically the main one on Richards ST.) without the above mentioned docs. I had my drivers license, but they wanted a government ID (my passport had expired and it's beyond me why I cease to be ME when I passport "just" expired). A valid Voter Registration would be alright as well.

[LikaNui]

I opened a PO box at the Kaneohe post office just a month ago; all they wanted was a drivers license. Quick, easy... and cheap!

[timkona]

More handwringing from the perpetually worried left.

glurg :cool:

[1stwahine]

Was the original poster talking about a PO Box at a US Postal service or a private provider? If he is, that is exactly the problem I had.

I assume he is.

I opened mine at the Nuuanu Post Office.

Auntie Lynn

[Leo Lakio]

More handwringing from the perpetually worried left.
"Homeland Security" --- is the "left"?:confused:

Turn around, brah - you lookin' bass-ackwahds. :p

[Random]

I inherited my dad's PO Box. For some reason, I don't have to pay.

[matapule]

I opened a POBox in May at USPS. Only required a driver's license.

[Glen Miyashiro]

We talked about PO boxes (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=15034) a few months ago, too.

[Ron Whitfield]

Looks like we have a mixed bag here, and I havn't yet made it to the PO to find out their take.

TK, if it's true, is this the kind of country you wish for in totallity?
Handwringing..., my fat okole!

[Kaukura]

I opened a POBox in May at USPS. Only required a driver's license.

Can you say which USPS it was? I can understand if you want to keep that to yourself, "I" only tried the Main Post office on Richards and Merchant. They even physically gave me a card which listed what they needed to open one. It is highly possible they have stricter rules at that particular Post office due to them being the main post office vs. a smaller on say on Nuuanu or others..

[timkona]

Well Ron, believe it or not, I have nothing to hide.

[cyleet99]

A few years ago I lived at a location not serviced by the post office. I got conflicting info about which post office to get a PO box in, since I was between two small towns.

Small town #1: Postal clerk wanted every piece of ID I had including a utility bill with our local address and my name on it, and fussed at me because I had moved twice in the last two years. I couldn't produce any utility bills or other proof with my name (husband had been living there a while and all was in his name.) I was summarily dismissed by said clerk "until you can come back prepared." :mad:

Small town #2: (Same day, 10 minutes later, less than one mile away) I warily entered the tiny building, carrying the same documentation (including recently expired passport.) This postal clerk was also the postmaster (per his nametag.) He kindly waved away my pile of papers, said, Oh, you all bought that house, huh? and handed me keys to a post office box.

Now the next week I was trying to get a driver's license in that state. I again did not have any proof of my physical address with my name on it, since all our mail was going to the post office box! I went to my friendly postmaster, who listened to my woes, pulled out an official looking document, wrote my physical address and my name on it, stamped it with an official looking stamp, and shooed me out to get my driver's license.

My suggestion is to find another post office. Worked for me!:)

[Leo Lakio]

Well Ron, believe it or not, I have nothing to hide.Are you suggesting Ron does, by wishing to have a P.O. Box? Maybe he wants it for a business address.

If you have nothing to hide, post your address here for us, Tim. I know some catalogue folks who would like to get in touch. :p

[timkona]

I don't think Ron has anything to hide. Perhaps he wishes he had something to hide so as to justify the handwringing over Homeland Security rules. Besides, the initial post is suspect due to suspicions of overkill rooted in HS which are likely false. What did you find out Ron?

Homeland Security has not affected most folks, except maybe at the airport waiting for a good frisking. Or perhaps to give conspiracy theorists one more reason to fret.

And trust me, I got more catalogues than a librarian.

[Ron Whitfield]

Blew the PO again today, but in a google search I find someone's tale of being requested to fill out ID paperwork for Homeland Stupidity files while being a current PO box holder. He's got to prove he's him...
The Nuuanu PO seems to be one of the stations asking for this stuff, and they now have plenty of boxes available because of it. So if you want a box there and are willing to do the paperwork, here you go.

Now, excuse me while I try to find something to hide...

[Leo Lakio]

Now, excuse me while I try to find something to hide...Just me and my monkey. :D

[Amati]

You can’t get a PO box. In another thread someone couldn’t get a clerk to accept a computer-generated no-fault insurance card. The lack of consistency between workers in government offices can be maddening. But it really all boils down to the problem of information (rules) not being written where it is easily accessible by the public, so we are dependant upon the mercy … and interpretation… of the individual clerk(s).

[Leo Lakio]

we are dependant upon the mercy … and interpretation… of the individual clerk(s).All the more reason to smile and be friendly and cooperative with them, no matter how much we seethe inside. These folks are in positions of "power" (as far as they see it), and they can choose to help you sort problems out, or make it as miserable as possible for you. You can follow up with a letter of complaint or praise afterwards.

[cyleet99]

...in this day of Bush's Nazi elitists only Amerika.
Or am I wrong?

I know this is off topic, but I just saw this in the original post. I don't think that all will change immediately and be perfect after January 2009, no matter who becomes President.

Sorry. Rant over; the medication is beginning to help....:D

[Leo Lakio]

I know this is off topic, but I just saw this in the original post. I don't think that all will change immediately and be perfect after January 2009, no matter who becomes President.This is where SusieMisajon (who has been m.i.a. for nearly two months now) should pop in with her prediction that the Bush Administration will get involved in a war or some other crisis before November, declare a state of emergency, and refuse to depart. In light of the recent Russia/Georgia/South Ossetia crisis, that's not looking so far-fetched now...

[cyleet99]

We wouldn't be quite as involved as we were during FDR's administration, and I think it would have to be that level before it would be considered again. I think Bush is tired of it and ready to go to the ranch. Let the next crowd have at it.