Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
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Friday, July 15, 2011

ARE YOU KIDDING?

July, 2005 Oklahoma voted in a tremendous reward for 100% disabled military veterans living in the state. It was a thoughtful gift from Oklahoma voters and a great incentive for us to leave our Kansas home and make Oklahoma our primary residence.

One of the many rewards in that law is for an exemption to Oklahoma state sales tax.
Most merchants in the state understand the law and seem to happily participate even though it does require a little bit of paperwork on their part. Often they will not only go through the requirements to make our purchases void of sales tax, but they will also take the opportunity to thank Ron for his service.

However some merchants and their employees simply see the procedures as a pain in their ...elbows and will make comments like, "Oh you're one of those" or "you should have told us that first" or let's see your card" or "the manager is out and I don't know how to run this" (which can subject the merchant to a $500 penalty if they do not comply but we have never filed a protest...yet).


The other day I got one of those disgusted employees who glared at me when I told him we were exempt and he asked in disgust "One of those welfare exemptions?" and I said "Are you kidding? Can't you tell we're not dressed well enough to be on welfare?"


Equating honorable military service that ended in a veteran's lifetime disability with a welfare program is just a tad bit frustrating.

12 comments:

  1. I not think that American's understand legal benefits for anyone very well or comprehend their importance. There are welfare recipients that are undeserving as there are teachers that should be fired. The problem is lumping everyone in the group to the bottom of the pile. I am glad that Oklahoma does what it does. Our veterans deserve these breaks at the very least!

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  2. I'll say - that is terrible for someone to ask. Thankfully some of the merchants are willing to honor veterans.

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  3. I think it's wonderful what Oklahoma does. And yay for you for that comeback to the ungrateful employee. I guess we, as Americans, don't fully understand that we wouldn't have what freedoms we have today if it wasnt' for people like Ron, who fight so unselfishly for them. Thank you Ron for all you have done and thank you Oklahoma for recognizing how awesome our Vets are.

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  4. I have never heard of state doing this so congrats to Okla. and to the workers....get over it.

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  5. Wow, kudos to OK for doing this - and shame on those merchants.

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  6. That is wonderful of Oklahoma to do that. Shame some of its citizens don't reciprocate. Don't think we do enough for our veterans. Too many suffer from addictions, unemployment and are homeless because they didn't get the proper care when they were discharged.

    Maybe those places where the customer service is so bad should be named and shamed. Perhaps there could be the opposite where those who give good service are named and people would be encouraged to buy from them. Should be an incentive in times like these. Maybe you could start naming the "Goodies" on your blog for starters!

    Anyway good for you Oklahoma.

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  7. OK is O.K. with me for having this policy to reward and thank veterans who have served our country and have become disabled by their service.

    I loved your response about not being dressed well enough to be on welfare. Quick thinking,Annie!

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  8. What a wonderful policy OK has! My husband wants to move there in the worst way! Here is one more reason to make him want to go.

    I think I would craft a find speech about how Ron put himself in harms way to ensure that jerk behind the counter had the opportunity to live his life in the free country we have!

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  9. Here there's a senior 10% discount at restaurants. Folks get a similar response from cashiers not comprehending that it was earned as a right of passage, n an entitlement is not begging for charity.

    Think you feel insulted? Folks on welfare got insulted twice here...

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  10. Thanks everyone for you kind words. Winifred has made me realize we do need to take time to express appreciation to those merchants who get it right. They are in the majority and a few bad apples are spoiling it for the rest. OGO -- let me know when you are in Oklahoma and I hope it is soon. It is a great place to live for many reasons. And to Snaggle Tooth I will say, "Oops, I meant to insult them three times."

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  11. I just wanted to give Kudos to Winifred.....great idea about spreading the word for the kind merchants and continueing to give them business. And maybe taking business elsewhere from the bad ones.

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  12. That's a marvellous idea, we could do with something like that over here.
    I can't believe some store staff could be so rude though.

    I qualify for some senior concessions, and although I don't look old enough for them, I have never been questioned or refused when I ask for them.

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