Who do you trust?

[Diggin It]

In the 'Operation Mindcrime' track entitled 'Revolution Calling', Queensryche asks the question, who do you trust when everyone's a crook?

My take off on that is who do you trust when everyone is wrong?

I've been in a situation recently of trying to clarify some information in a Government healthcare program. I won't go into detail here, but I've asked three different Government agencies (two Federal and one State) and three other contacts that are listed as authorized to assist and answer questions as well as reading and trying to digest publicly available published documents. One of those is a non-profit community service agency that assists local businesses, governments and individuals. Two others are professional organizations.

I have yet to get the same answer twice. At least 6 different contacts with as many contradictory answers. They've gone as far as pointing fingers at each other claiming their's is the only place knowledgeable enough to ask. When I have them on the phone and point to the printed documents, they say 'that's not how we were trained'.

So then I go to another 'official website' with a form where you can enter data and it spits out results. That form gives me an entirely different result from any of the answers I got by adding in a formula that none of the others even mentioned.

So, who do you trust when everyone is wrong?

 

[Industrial Toys]

No one really. I was very young when I came to a conclusion about religeon, that since EVERYONE seemed to claim they were right, it was more likely they were ALL wrong. My take on it now, is that all have little bits and pieces of Universal TRUTH.

I called an old company I dealt with about pumps for cleaning and painting. Some guy that I had never spoke with, had bought the company. He insisted that changing the nozzle size on a pressure washer won't effect the pressure. Yeah, "EXPERTS" What's the point? In fact, it seems "TRUTH" more often comes from sources other than self proclaimed "EXPERTS" In fact, if I want real information about my John Deere or GMC, they are the LAST places I would go. Sad!

 

[desertdog71]

You're screwed, you're dealing with Gubment.

 

[CobyRupert]

Perhaps your problem is "Asking".

I deal with situations similar, although different.
I'm sure many contractors of all types do this:

I go through 3 phases: Ask, suggest, define.

Step one: Ask the question. (Example: What color do you want house painted?). If no satisfactory definite answer, but just hedges, delays, and "conditional" or contradictory answers, then:
Step two: Suggest an answer. (Example: White paint is on sale this month and is approved by the homeowners association, etc... What do you think?) If still no answer, then:
Step three: "I will paint your house white, unless I hear from you otherwise."

Sound like you might be on step 2 or 3. Define the answer, rather than ask an open question. Put them on the defensive. "I will do (this), based on (that)." If you have issue with (this & that), please see (them, the other agency)." Chances are they won't get off their *ss and go to the bother of defending their inconsistencies.
:2cents:

 

[Diggin It]

I'm on about step 7 which isn't suitable for TBN.

 

[CobyRupert]

I'm on about step 7 which isn't suitable for TBN.

:laughing:

 

[Bird]

This reminds me of the IRS. You can call and ask questions, but if it's later determined that the answers given were wrong, that's your problem. Having heard that, many years ago, I tested it. I, personally, bought a computer to use ONLY at my office at the police department, and ONLY for police work; no personal use AT ALL. So I called the IRS 3 days in a row, speaking with a different person each time, of course. One told me I could take the total cost as a deduction that year, one told me I could not, and one told me I could take a deduction prorated over 3 years.:confused3:

 

[Diggin It]

You're screwed, you're dealing with Gubment.

Sometimes I gotta wonder what Goober meant.

 

[Jstpssng]

This reminds me of the IRS. You can call and ask questions, but if it's later determined that the answers given were wrong, that's your problem. Having heard that, many years ago, I tested it. I, personally, bought a computer to use ONLY at my office at the police department, and ONLY for police work; no personal use AT ALL. So I called the IRS 3 days in a row, speaking with a different person each time, of course. One told me I could take the total cost as a deduction that year, one told me I could not, and one told me I could take a deduction prorated over 3 years.:confused3:

That's a sticky one. Ultimately, it all depends on if you get audited, and who the auditor is, how much of it you can write off. When I was working for myself I needed an ATV in summer and snowsled in winter or else I would be sitting home all day... I also was charging 40$/day to use the ATV. The CPA I was using told me that if I tried to write them off I was asking to get audited. It took me a long time to realize that as long as I documented the use it didn't (or at least shouldn't) matter if they questioned me.

 

[om21braz]

I feel for you. Reminds me of when buying a license tag for a pick-up, I asked the tag bureau, a state patrol officer and a DOT enforcement officer - Do I purchase the weight rating based upon truck alone, truck and trailer tongue weight or truck and trailer total -or- does what weight trailer rated for play into this equation? Just like you - three different answers. I took the DOT answer as they would most likely be the ticket writer if the situation arose.