Injurious Duty

Parking lot directions: puzzling even when not driving.

The first mistake I made was not reading the thick envelope that welcomed me to jury duty in San Mateo County.

With 15 minutes to spare I pulled into the jurors' usual parking lot; it was completely blocked off due to construction--which I would have known had I read the materials. An attendant handed me the map (right) to the replacement  parking lot. The map was not helpful--speed reading while driving is not one of my skills.

Fortunately for me, the attendant did say the lot was "under CVS", and I knew where it was without a map.

I arrived at the waiting hall only ten minutes late, and the lecture hadn't started yet.

Security let me through in the morning but
stopped me in the evening with this dangerous
multi-tool. They wouldn't hold it, so I hid it in
and recovered it from the bushes instead of
going back to the car six blocks away.

The only addition from previous years--they hadn't made a new sign yet (see right)--was that one would be disqualified if one was conserved.

At 9:45 we took a half-hour break because the judge and lawyers didn't know whether they'd need a jury today. At 11:15 they still hadn't decided, so we were told to come back at 1:30 p.m., which everyone did dutifully. At 3 p.m. they finally released us and gave us a piece of paper documenting our "service" and excusing us for 12 months.

I am quite willing to accept my civic responsibility, but it's obvious that this process could be made more efficient. Why do a hundred people have to wait around while the judges and lawyers dither? Why aren't there incentives to speed a decision (the $15/day juror stipend doesn't start until Day 2)?

Sounding like a broken record [what's a record, Pops?], I again complain: every interaction with government, be it the DMV, jury duty, income taxes, employing workers, or getting a building permit is way too complicated. (I do acknowledge that the USPS has improved greatly.) Most everyone has had these experiences.

When government's gross inefficiency and lack of interest in its customers are contrasted with the responsiveness of private industry, why are so many enamored by socialism?