welcome to massachusetts

Lots of people joke about Taxachusetts, which Thad and I both agree is a load of hooey. Across the board, we paid far more in taxes in Rochester than most people in Massachusetts (especially our property taxes - yikes!) But I can honestly say that we have had to jump through so many hoops here, it's getting ridiculous. Between unhelpful elections officials and grouchy DMV workers, page after page of seemingly unecessary paperwork, and forms requiring obscure information, I'm surprised we've gotten any accomplished.

Yesterday we went to the DMV to switch over our registration and drivers' licenses from NY to MA. We were able to get the cars registered, but we didn't have enough id to get our liceneses switched because MA requires FOUR pieces of identification. So back we went today, armed with a stack of IDs. We were told to bring along proof of MA residency, like a utility bill or something from our insurance company or bank with our new address on it. Since we're living with my family, we don't have any household bills in our names or a lease and since we just got here we haven't received statements, but our bank/insurance company sent us a document showing that we were switching our address over to MA for a variety of accounts. It's a nice little letter on their letterhead with address, phone, etc and looks quite official. Turns out, it isn't worth diddly squat here, and what we needed was something more easily forged, like a bank statement or a blank check. What?! How silly. I mean, I could probably order blank checks and just make up account information for $4.95 online. But something on letterhead showing that we've changed our address for our banking, life insurance, auto insurance, and homeowners policies doesn't count. To top it off, they made Thad sit down, took his photo, etc and then gave him an "application rejection form." And the lady "helping" him didn't even say hello! Somehow they let me sneak by because I had lived in MA before at the same address, but Thad has to go back for a THIRD time whenever we get a bank statement in the mail. Isn't that crazy?! If his license were expired or from another country I could rationalize it, and we both were somewhat understanding yesterday when we didn't have enough ID (although I still think four peices is excessive), but asking for something from the bank and then not accepting it because it's not the thing they wanted is ridiculous. But if anyone needs directions to the DMV, you know who to ask.