National ID Law a Big Brother Nightmare

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/05/19/national-id-law-a-big-brother-nightmare/

National ID Law a Big Brother Nightmare
by James Parks, May 19, 2007

Two years ago, congressional Republicans railroaded through legislation to create a massive national ID system, which many say lacks adequate security or privacy safeguards. Now a broad coalition of more than 40 organizations, including the AFL-CIO, is working to repeal the law.

Under the Real ID Act, U.S. residents will need a federally approved ID card to travel on an airplane, open a bank account, collect Social Security payments or take advantage of nearly any government service.



States will be required to check their citizens’ identification papers, and driver’s licenses likely will be reissued to comply with Department of Homeland Security requirements. As a result, opponents say, the law could create a bureaucratic nightmare with long lines, repeat trips and higher fees for individuals trying to get licenses and IDs. The rules go into effect in May 2008.

The problems of a national ID system became more apparent in March when the Department of Homeland Security issued draft Real ID regulations. The rules would require that the home addresses and personal information of drivers be included on their licenses in a two-dimensional barcode without encryption. Retail stores, banks and other businesses could easily access your home address and personal information when they skim your driver’s license. That would make the IDs especially vulnerable to identity theft.

FULL story at link.

[BlueJazz]

1. I don't know ....I've got so many damn "Numbers" out there now....

SS
Credit cards (4)
Drivers license
Auto insurance
House insurance
MCSE

plus 1000's of transactions with my info on them, I wonder if my privacy
is already compromised beyond repair.

Not arguing with you ....you may have a great point.

[LWolf]

2. It steps the level of the nightmare up, certainly.

The idea that we have any personal privacy is fleeting, anyway.

I love the internet, but I know that it makes my life public. Who manages to live without credit? Without a credit card, a bank account, a mortgage, a car loan? We owe. We give our information to everybody we owe. We can't work without giving up our information. I can find an aerial view of my house online in a minute...free.

Where, exactly, is the privacy?

What, exactly, gives anyone the right to this much access to my life? I don't commit crimes. I don't harm people. I do my best to live with light footprints. Why should I be made to feel as if the whole planet is a grid of observation cells?

[kineneb]

5. without credit

"Who manages to live without credit? Without a credit card, a bank account, a mortgage, a car loan?"

We do, at least partially: all we have is a small mortgage and a checking account. We went through Chapter 7 bankruptcy last summer. No more credit cards, as we live on Hubby's SSDI. Cash is wonderful and untraceable, as are post office money orders, and store gift cards.

For internet orders, I use a debit card that I "recharge" with cash at a local retailer. If someone gets the card number, all they can take is what is in that account, which is usually under $200. It also makes me think about what I am buying, as I then have to put money into the card.

[LWolf]

6. That's about as close as anyone can get.

It's hard to rent a home, or buy one, without a bank account. Still, our SSN, our employment and banking records, make us easy to find and observe.

I say that because, as a true lone wolf, I value solitude and privacy perhaps more than the average person. I would like to know that, when I get home, no one can reach me. I'd be happy if nobody but my family and friends knew where I lived, but I have to give an address for banks, utilities, the IRS, and employers. I live at the dead end of a private road, next to many miles of public land. My house sits exactly in the center of the property, and is not visible from the street. There is a gate at the entrance to the long driveway. When I get home, I can turn the phone off and generally not know that there are other people on earth. The idea that some satellite can take pictures of my home gives me the creeps.

[ananda]

3. Paranoia..

.. thy name is Bushinc's America. sad sigh

[aquart]

4. All BushCo legislation should be rescinded. In toto.

There isn't one bill that isn't vicious, undemocratic, and poisonous to the American people.

Is there?