National ID cards on the way?

[Pred]

This scares me... It makes you wonder what the ultimate goal is, maybe the ability for our government to track what any of us do at any given time. Maybe this is why they seem to brush our border concerns aside, then they come out and say "This will solve all our problems, just give me some of your freedom." The sad part is, most of the country would go for it. For some reason, this quote stands out in my mind:

This is how Liberty dies—with thunderous applause.

In a vote that largely divided along party lines, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a Republican-backed measure that would compel states to design their driver's licenses by 2008 to comply with federal antiterrorist standards. Federal employees would reject licenses or identity cards that don't comply, which could curb Americans' access to everything from airplanes to national parks and some courthouses.

"Supporters claim it is not a national ID because it is voluntary," Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, one of the eight Republicans to object to the measure, said during the floor debate this week. "However, any state that opts out will automatically make nonpersons out of its citizens. They will not be able to fly or to take a train."
Paul warned that the legislation, called the Real ID Act, gives unfettered authority to the Department of Homeland Security to design state ID cards and driver's licenses. Among the possibilities: biometric information such as retinal scans, fingerprints, DNA data and RFID tracking technology.

"In reality, this bill is a Trojan horse," said Paul, the Republican congressman. "It pretends to offer desperately needed border control in order to stampede Americans into sacrificing what is uniquely American: our constitutionally protected liberty."

National ID cards on the way? | CNET News.com

[Johnny_Revolver]

Whats the difference between a National ID card, and say, any other form of ID like a drivers Licence?

I`ve just never cared who knows who the !!!! I am. But thats just my take on it. There has been moves to adopt the National ID card here too.

[Pred]

Originally Posted by Johnny_Revolver

Whats the difference between a National ID card, and say, any other form of ID like a drivers Licence?

See quote below:

Among the possibilities: biometric information such as retinal scans, fingerprints, DNA data and RFID tracking technology.

[samuel]

That is no different than Hitler did in the 30,s.Thanks Pred for posting.It isnt a way to stop illegals.Its a way to control citizens. samuel.

[Johnny_Revolver]

But, specifically, how does a government control a population with a plastic card? How do they not know all about you anyway? drivers licence, hospital - dental, school and social security records?

[tbonecpk]

hey I have a federal ID and it really hasnt affected me in that they know who I am and yady yady yada. Nothing else it has benefited me because it is also my insurance card so eh.... depends on the point of view

[Pred]

Originally Posted by Johnny_Revolver

But, specifically, how does a government control a population with a plastic card?

In all seriousness, you need to go look up RFID tracking.

[SKS NOOB]

When a nation HAS to do something like that, I figure they beleive that WE won't like what THEY do next. That bein the case, im sendin my wife and kids to the phillipines(thats where my in-laws live), and convering my basement into a bunker. The law is supposed to protect us. Even protect us FROM us sometimes. Not to oppress us.

[CrazyIvan]

One problem with a read-all card is that if it is stolen, it can be read by a hacked or stolen computer, a hacker program or whatever. Identity theft will increase from its already intolerable level. This is especially prevalent if these cards have a magnetic strip, RFID or any other type of embeded readable information.

I am on the fence whether this is a good idea or not...at the face of it, it sounds ok, but what is the govt's reason behind it? They already know who people are (those that are here legally). They B&M at you every year for taxes, every 4 years for census reports. They keep your previous 20 years residence on file and branch it to immediate family members' addresses & contact information. It is all got when you are born, a birth certificate is signed and a social security number is assigned to your life. Why do they need yet another means of identification for the general public? Makes ya wonder....

[Johnny_Revolver]

Quote: In all seriousness, you need to go look up RFID tracking.

I need that! I`d lose my head if it wasn`t bolted on.

[Pred]

Originally Posted by Johnny_Revolver

I need that! I`d lose my head if it wasn`t bolted on.

[Paper]

Taken from Wikapedia:

Passive tags have practical read distances ranging from about 10 cm (4 in.)

I have one of these that unlocks the door at my place of work.. I just can't see how a card is going to be able to allow the government track my every move..

Unless the card has a power source, like an EZ Pass toll transponder, you have to actually run the card within 4" of what you're passing. It's not like they're going to track you with satellites..

I already have a national ID.. It's called a US Passport. I use it quite often..

[Rufus Rhastus J]

I don't have a problem with "standardizing" driver's licenses. It's the potential for abuse by the government that I am worried about. Let's face it, they cannot EVER be trusted again. They abuse everything they touch. Why should we believe they will behave differently now? Answer: They will do as they always have done. They will abuse anything we give them to use against us. Their efforts, like with the patriot act, will be directed at Americans and not in the direction we were told (lied to about). That, you can take to the bank.

[Rave]

Sinister purpouses,you got that right! If it can be used against us it will,sooner or later!
That's just the nature of the beast,especially when allowed to run unchecked.

[SKS NOOB]

Originally Posted by Rufus Rhastus J

I don't have a problem with "standardizing" driver's licenses. It's the potential for abuse by the government that I am worried about. Let's face it, they cannot EVER be trusted again. They abuse everything they touch. Why should we believe they will behave differently now? Answer: They will do as they always have done. They will abuse anything we give them to use against us. Their efforts, like with the patriot act, will be directed at Americans and not in the direction we were told (lied to about). That, you can take to the bank.

I agree.... BUT the government is only as good as the people WE vote in. Most of the time, we have to choose between the "lesser of 2 evils".