In need of some postage stamps, I went to our Lincoln Post Office and found myself in a line of about eight people. A lady postal clerk left her station behind the counter to jovially announce that she was going to “triage” the folks in line (?).

She proceeded to write on a small piece of paper why each person was in line. Then she handed the small paper to that person. After completing this triage of each person, she then returned to her place behind the counter and announced “next”.

I was second in line, and when I got to her station, I handed her the small piece of paper, which indicated I wanted a book of stamps. She took the paper and placed it on a stack of other small papers.

I asked her what was the reason for this triage operation. She said it was Post Office direction.

I responded, “What did this accomplish? It took your time away from serving those in line, it was a waste of paper, it was a waste of your shoe leather, it was a waste of time for all of the folks in line and a waste of government money.”

To top it off, I wanted to get some of the newly issued Civil War Commemorative stamps but she didn’t have any nor had she heard about them.

I know this postal clerk is only following orders, but to me, this is just one more instance of government waste in these dire times.

If the Postmaster has a logical explanation, I’d like to hear it and then perhaps concur.

Dick Rooney, Lincoln