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A Tool Of Coercion: National ID Plan Is Still A Bad Idea, Despite New Foes.(ISSUES & INSIGHTS)(VIEWPOINT)
Byline: John J. Miller
Most Americans probably don't mind surrendering small portions of their freedom to fight terrorism. Many of the steps taken by the federal government following Sept. 11 appear reasonable, from tightened airport security to minor changes in Immigration and Naturalization Service detention rules. Besides, who's really in the mood to complain?
Yet there's at least one action Washington must avoid, even though a recent poll by the Pew Research Center found an impressive 70% of the public supporting it: the creation of a national identification card system.
The Push
It's an old idea that suddenly has gained new momentum. Rep. George Gekas, R-Pa., head of the House Immigration Subcommittee, says Congress definitely will consider ID cards. Oracle Chief Executive Larry Ellison says his company, a leader in databases, is willing to donate the software necessary for it to happen.
An internal passport for all Americans would make the foul business of terrorism more difficult, say the advocates. It would prevent perpetrators from striking in the first place, assist in their apprehension afterward or both.
The problem is that ID cards and the databases behind them would give government an incredibly powerful tool of social regulation. Using them for purposes other than combating terrorism would soon prove irresistible.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network to Drop Social...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire April 15, 2005 700+ words
...the nation would drop Social Security numbers from ID cards -- New laws enacted...make public use of Social Security numbers Jeanne Carlson...reduces the public use of Social Security numbers by replacing ID cards and also discontinues...
- Highmark eliminates social security numbers on member ID cards.
- Magazine article from: Managed Care Weekly June 7, 2004 700+ words
...identification numbers in place of Social Security numbers. The Unique Member...Highmark will gradually phase out Social Security numbers on ID cards throughout 2004. It is estimated...individuals will receive new ID cards in 2005. Highmark, Inc...
- Highmark Eliminates Social Security Numbers on Member ID Cards; Unique Member...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire May 11, 2004 700+ words
...identification numbers in place of Social Security numbers. The Unique Member...Highmark will gradually phase out Social Security numbers on ID cards throughout 2004. It is estimated...individuals will receive new ID cards in 2005. Highmark Inc. is...
- W-JCC student ID cards to be shredded: Some of the identification cards were...
- Newspaper article from: Daily Press (Newport News, VA) November 16, 2006 700+ words
...with the students' Social Security numbers, Williamsburg...Berkeley Middle School ID cards, officials said...provided the students' Social Security numbers because some...Fudge said. Using Social Security numbers to identify...
- U. Oklahoma: U. Oklahoma changes ID cards in response to fraud scares.
- News wire article from: The America's Intelligence Wire February 28, 2005 700+ words
...The University of Oklahoma's pending switch to ID cards without students' Social Security numbers on the front is an attempt to prevent...recommend that everyone shred their old student ID cards." Preventing and Recovering from Identity Theft...
- Katrina evacuees have trouble getting jobs without ID cards.
- News wire article from: Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) September 14, 2005 700+ words
...identification card and her Social Security card in the apartment...for replacement state ID cards and drivers licenses. Social Security offices in the Gulf Coast...Agency because she has her social security number memorized. She...
- USC to drop Social Security numbers as ID: Incident in which 1,400 students'...
- News wire article from: State (Columbia, SC) April 14, 2006 700+ words
...that are abandoning Social Security numbers as primary...year stopped using Social Security numbers as member...longer appear on ID cards. Last weekend...no longer issues ID cards with Social Security numbers visible...
- Electronic ID cards to go on sale for E5.(in Romania)(Brief Article)
- Newspaper article from: EuropeMedia November 25, 2002 700+ words
...vandusseldorp.com/ Romanian electronic ID cards, due to be introduced in certain cities...driving licence, voting, medical and social security information. The deadline for replacing the old ID cards is December 31st, 2006.((Distributed...
- The Government Approves 900 Million Baht to a Project to Provide All Thai...
- News wire article from: Asia Africa Intelligence Wire March 14, 2002 700+ words
...project to provide all Thais with on-line identity cards by 2003. The smart ID cards will hold not only ID numbers but also such information on social security, tax and life-insurance details of the holders. The project will require the...
- Thailand: Citizenship card to also serve as social security card.
- News wire article from: Thai Press Reports May 23, 2006 700+ words
...General News - Citizenship ID cards will double as a social security card under a new ministerial...secretary-general of the Social Security Office, said it would no longer issue social security cards for Social Security Fund...
