In the GOP debate tonight, Giuliani, McCain, and, sadly, Romney all stated support for the use of a national ID card. Yeah, they may try to nuance it by saying that it will only apply to immigrants and visitors. But how long would it be before it was an idea applied to all of us citizens of the United States? Past history of how governments grab power tells us that it would not be long, my friends, not very long at all.
This should basically disqualify all three of these candidates from receiving the support of any conservative worth his salt.
The last thing we need in this country is to be stopped by government officials and asked, "Show us your identity papers."
For the record, Congressman Ron Paul stated his vehement opposition to the idea stating that it contradicts what a free society is all about.
They certainly did begin to backpedal after Ron Paul to make it clear that only immigrants should have to have this super ID. The only question I had after was, if only immigrants have it, what good would it be? How would you single out an immigrant to ask for it?
Ron Paul will fight to protect your privacy. A national I.D. card ? don't they allready counterfiet U.S. documents, liscenses, S.S. cards, passports, money,...
A national I.D. card will create more government, not less, as Mr. Wald, the alleged libertarian opines.
Good point. Those illegal aliens never seem to be able to come up with fake birth certificates, social security cards, or drivers licenses. There's no way they would be able to get a fake national ID card.
While the idea of a national ID card is repugnant to many, I submit that, for all practical purposes, we already have one.
The Social Security
card wasn't supposed to be used for ID, but like it or not, it is.
Sans photo.
But that number identifies you and follows you everywhere.
That is exactly right.
The last thing we need is another level of bureaucracy at the federal level.
First of all, they would not administer it correctly.
The buden of 300 million IDs would be tremendous.
This is much better done at the state level where the authority for the driver's license not rests.
If they want to do something, give the states the guidelines to make IDs more tamper proof.
Also, maybe make all state standards the same.
Making all states have the same standard is more federalism that will require more red tape that will cost more money no one has and management that the government can't effectively do. But what the hey, we could always use one more convoluted system no one understands.
Its always hard to argue against your position.
I was trying to come up with a solution to the ID problem with minimum federal government involvement.
You are probably right when all is said and done.
This bill establishes a massive, centrally-coordinated database of highly personal information about American citizens: at a minimum their name, date of birth, place of residence, Social Security number, and physical and possibly other characteristics. What is even more disturbing is that, by mandating that states participate in the “Drivers License Agreement,” this bill creates a massive database of sensitive information on American citizens that will be shared with Canada and Mexico!
Exactly!
Legal vistors, immigrants, residents, etc. already all have identification.
The illegal aliens don't have documentation because they're here illegally.
The only documentation they need is there name on a manifest for a trip back home.
As for a national ID card!
I don't even like driver licenses!
Every country that's had or has national ID cards has to deal with fake ID cards.
It generates another income source for card manufacturers, government agencies to process them, and a black market for fake ones.
It becomes a problem only for law abiding citizens who loose them or have them stolen.