http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/11/real.id.ap/index.html
This terrifies me. In short, the government is planning to create a new federal ID card as a way to help prevent terrorism. To me, this just looks like another way to invade everyone's personal privacy.
I don't believe that doing background checks and creating one official form of identification is going to do much to prevent terrorism. I'm sure there are numerous people who are legal citizens with clean backgrounds that will pass all of the checkpoints, yet still be terrorists.
However, the thing that terrifies me the most about these identifications is the idea of a central database. It starts out as just things such as my birthdate, criminal/driving records, address, etc. That's not so scary. Police have access to that any time they run my license plates or current drivers license. But, I really don't think that will be the end of it. I believe that in time, this new identification card will collect data on my habits. If I buy something or go somewhere that I will need an ID, such as entering a bar, buying alcohol, tobacco, even taking some exams, this could be entered in a permanent record, so to speak. I don't want the government knowing when I buy alcohol and what kind it is. I don't want people knowing when I go to specific bars.
This ID is just another step in our march towards a total surveilance society. I personally believe that I should not have to give up my civil liberties and right to privacy in another half-assed scheme to "prevent terrorism". I believe Benjamin Franklin said it best when he said, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. "
If only our current administration could understand that.
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Yes, it is quite terrifying, isn't it? However, I believe that you must paint with a broader stroke: This has been in the works for many years in Congress and is not the brain-child of the current administration only! After all, it could never have gotten this far without the approval of both parties! The President can do nothing without Congress going along with it, no matter what they would have you think.
Furthermore, you should point your finger firmly at "We the People"! According to polling data; 70 to 80% of us feel this is a good thing! Can you believe that?
Remember what the Russian said to me all those years ago: "...one day you'll wake up and realize that you've given it all away; then you'll be living in my country!"
He was absolutely correct in his analysis.
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