Poll: ID

[Bill]

Tough call - lots of good points on both sides.

I tend to get down to how will it happen. What I mean is that with most of these things I may believe there are good intentions but the actual workings of the thing just don't pan out.

Used to be the IRS was on to criminal or illegals iffen they filed a false SS number when they took a job - like they filed with 99 exemptions so no tax was taken then skipped out before the taxes were due and the IRS could catch up to them. ( They're now requiring employers to report that so its not finished yet ). My point is that honest folks follow the law. Whats going to make a crook or illegal stop from using my number and his/her picture ( or zip or DNA or ?? ) on a forged card. They're already breaking the law so asking them to not break the law over a card doesn't seem to cut it.

So I 'm kinda leaning towards what Tom said - why are we asking the honest folks to be compromised - shouldn't it be the illegals ( or crooks ) that have to pay ?  Maybe the govt should stop concerning themselves with controlling the citizens and focus on controlling the bad guys ?

Maybe that's it - maybe there needs to be a once and done law. So we just need to keep the violaters DNA/SSN/picture/signature/DOB/Place of birth/etc on file and like Tom said - you don't need to carry a card that says you're not a bank robber .


???

[Texas Ranger]

I got me a pocket full of id's, three for insurance, two for some state licenses I hold, the last two are picture id's.  Got a sociable security card that aint worth squat, cause just a number.  got a bunch of other stuff of no use, but I carry it. 

A state drives license is basically a national ID.  Particularly the new ones with the magnetic strip.

Enforce the laws we got, and kick out illegals.  Simple.  No id change.

[beenthere]

In WI, illegals can get drivers license with nothing more than a voters registration card from their home country. That makes them ok to board a plane, for example, with their WI DL as ID. Pretty thin security, IMO.
I don't want to see ID's, but being we have been so lax up to this point, I don't see any choice - if we are to keep a country with US citizens to pass on to our children and grand children. We seem to fret more over saving the Ivory Bill Woodpecker than the place of freedom for our children. I may have to vote "YES" but 'don't know' is all I can muster at the moment.
Lots of good comments on the subject so far.

[Furby]

So who would be in charge of the national ID?
The federal goverment has provent it can screw up anything and everything.
That leaves the states to take care of it and we already have that with our DL.

[firecord]

Not sayin yawl are right or wrong, but.

What works in this country?

NOTHING FOR LONG

Someone always finds a way to cheat - steal - or borrow.

I got enough dang numbers!

357, 9mill, 40s&w,  243, 7mill, 30:06, 7X57 and my favorite 44 MAGNUM
Just to name a few

And when the BLUE HATS try to takem I'll show them the business end.

[CHARLIE]

We don't need any more Big Government!  We don't need any more ID's. We need the Federal, State and Local governments to enforce the laws on the books today. We need for those that break the laws to be penalized. That includes voter fraud and hiring people that are in this country illegally.

Penalties should be stiff to discourage others.

All people found to be here illegally should first be put into the slammer if they have any fake ID's and documents (that's against the U.S. and State laws). If they are from Mexico, when they get out, they should be packed into a boat and taken to Mexico City and put ashore. If they are from any other country, they should be shipped to the furtherest city in that country.

[SwampDonkey]

Social Security identifies you with a number that was never intended to be used for general identification.  As a matter of fact, it was a feared step in the U.S.A.'s trek toward Socialism.

Yup, and according to the way it legally works here is the government and your employer are the only ones authorized to have it, for tax purposes only. The banks are not even entitled to it, other than to be used for tax purposes. It's not to be used to access your personal information to be sold to telemarketors.

[SwampDonkey]

I voted no to the new National ID card. Those that want to do harm are going to get in with or without one and the only way someone is going to be detected is if they get stopped for speeding or something along that line or ID'd through the transportation system. Looks to me that you guys better be prepared to stand in very long lines and march in rows like Nazis with the proper papers on you at all times so some SS officer can verify who you are.  Better close all borders and erect barriers to keep the Mexicans and Canadians out. :

[Tom]

You speak with tongue in cheek but truth is that those are the very thoughts that go through many American Citizens minds, mine included.  You open the barn door to ride the horse and all the chickens, cows, goats dogs inside run for the opening.  Freedoms aren't something that can be temporarily suspended, nor, once experienced, given up without a fight.  Freedoms are lost by the complacent and those looking for a free ride.  Socialism is the big government that keeps the reins on chattel.

[pigman]

Better close all borders and erect barriers to keep the Mexicans and Canadians out. :

I don't worry about the Mexicans because I can't understand anything they say.     The Canadians worry me because I can understand just enough of their language to get confused. smiley_dizzy  That is everyone except Marcel; I can understand him perfectly. Seems he speaks a different type of Canadian language.
Bob

[PineNut]

Big brother starts out addressing a need and says that giving up a little freedom for the protection of all is justified. Then big brother's bureaucrats will stretch it a little for something that was not explicit icy said but is in the gray area. After a few iterations, you have given up all freedoms this need addressed and we are starting all over on a new subject. Before long, we will all be enslaved with very few freedoms left. Of course we could take it to the Supreme Court and say it is unconstitutional but how far do you think that would get. National ID is just a step along the way.

[DomR]

I'm like the rest of you guys- plenty of stuff in my wallet and all of it has the same name but it still don't say I'm a citizen.  What does?  how many of you could prove that without a doubt, you are a citizen in a reasonable time, say two weeks?  I don't think that a birth cert does it, could be fake. DNA would need some type of huge storehouse that a snip of hair taken at birth has been kept in for the older people (anyone not born yet)to prove who they were or it wouldn't work. Having someone vouch for you casts doubt on them.  I'm afraid that if we have to start proving who we are the govt will find a way to mess that up too.  Why is it that our elected officials think we are too stupid to understand the ramifications of such a law?  Is it because we voted them into office?
I vote NO!

[Furby]

Actually, your DNA can be recorded on a computer, but they would need a sample to "read" in order to create the file in the first place.

[Ron Wenrich]

Innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent.  Its the basis of the legal system.  The papers just prove your innocence.  Not having papers would not prove your guilt, just your lack of not going with the system. 

[crtreedude]

In some ways - we already have this in the USA. Most driver's licenses have your photo. There is a national numbering system - it is SSI You have a State ID if you don't have a Federal one.

Yesterday we got our driver's license renewed in Costa Rica. We had to present our Passport, get a picture taken, and they check your fingerprints. If I am correct - the fingerprints is to check with Interpol on whether you are someone running from the law... (you might be in trouble FDH... ;) )

If you are going to use an ID for purchasing things (like a credit card or a check)- well, you pretty much have let the cat out of the bag. Also, if you have a loan, credit card, etc, etc - , it isn't hard to find out everything about you.

Here in Costa Rica - you can't do much of anything without the official ID - for people like us - it is passport - for the locals - it is cedula. However, there is an underground economy which is pure cash - but the amount paid is less too.

Employers or foreignors who chose to bypass it face very stiff penalties. The government here has started to really crack down on this. Since the government spends more than it takes in - this is an easy way for it to increase revenues. Make sure people are paying their taxes, etc.  I tend to agree, it isn't right for only part of the population to pay taxes but everyone use the services.

[Max sawdust]

I cheated, voted yes then read DanG's first post and changed mine to a Don't know vote.

Lots to think about here.  Too many unanswered questions, with the trend twords more and more Government shenanigans I am not sure if we need another form of ID.

Max

[Larry]

Went to renew my drivers license last month and found out it has changed from a license to a ID card.  Had to show my birth certificate, ss card, and voter registration.  They had alternatives for the voter registration like utility bills etc.  No paperwork...you could get one extension for a year to come up with the documents.  Cost about $30.  Got to thinking that it would be easier and cheaper to have a college kid make me a fake drivers license...they have gotten pretty proficient at counterfeiting.

[Tom]

I find it humorous that they justify the validity of your driver's license with three documents that they don't acknowledge as being identification. 

Then they let you substitute an electric bill? 


Jedidiah