National ID cards for the US.

zmzhang

Senior member
Feb 17, 2001
593
0
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I'm doing this survey for a class i'm taking, and I need your opinions.

Is national ID cards a good idea? Yes/No and why

Thanks
 

Wallydraigle

Banned
Nov 27, 2000
10,754
1
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Of course it's a good idea. It will wipe out the terrorists, end crime, and get that grass stain out of your pants
rolleye.gif


Seriously, what's the use? We already have numbers, and databases, and cards, and registrations, and what have you. What's one more? All these things do is impose on the rights of the law abiding. Will it harm us? Probably not. Not unless they go fascist with it and set up checkpoints and make you show your card all the time to the MP standing on every corner. It's just another chip off our freedom. Is it worth it? I don't know, but from what I can see it doesn't seem to be. I doubt it will be a big deal either way.
 

KthxBye

Senior member
Aug 7, 2001
404
0
71
Your SS# isn't secure enough to really be used as a sole method of identification. All your former employers have it, your banks, credit card companies. Hell, in a lot of states you can get someones SS# just by calling the DMV and asking for it. There is no security at all built into it, and its an aid to identity theft, not a barrier. All that being said, national ID = bad
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
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If it will make our country safer and expedite any process requiring authentication of identification (anything from credit cards to DMV business) I'm 110% for it. I don't think it will make us sacrifice our freedom any more than a Driver's license does. It's basically the same as an armed forces ID card for civilians.
 

jpsj82

Senior member
Oct 30, 2000
958
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i welcome it with open arms.

(i am the type of person that is for a lot of security).
 

bonk102

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
5,473
2
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the only problem i have with the idea is that we already have ssn, drivers' license, and passports, and people still forge all 3, so how long would it take someone to forgea national ID card? not long, which woudl mean we then just have 4 pieces of ID that are useless, just my 2 cents
 

Freejack2

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2000
7,751
8
91
It's a waste of time and a waste of the taxpayers money.
It's just another piece of id that can be forged. Drivers licenses and non drivers id's are enough.

If they are so serious about security they should implant a microchip in everyone's body that tells the government where you are at all times. It could be powered by the human electric system and it could have connectors that can pick up what you see and hear. Then whenever the government wanted to know what your doing all they have to do is tune in on you. Going faster than the speed limit on the highway? You naughty person, you're getting a speeding ticket in the mail.
Copying a videotape you rented from the store? You naughty, naughty person, a court summons is in the mail. Over at your friend's house trading programs. You evil person you, The police are on their way!
Trying to remove the microchip? You horrible person! This is a capital offense punishable by death! The chip will now release a deadly poison into your bloodstream, you have 10 seconds left to live...
 

KthxBye

Senior member
Aug 7, 2001
404
0
71


<< no more illegal immagrants >>


No...they'd just have to start killing hobos for their cards
 

Freejack2

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2000
7,751
8
91
Naah with the microchips, the government could just scan areas with infrared, any heat signature the size of a human that didn't have a microchip in it, would be seized. The illegal immigrant would then be installed with a microchip that would kill them if they crossed over into the US again, then deported back to their country.
 

JupiterJones

Senior member
Jun 14, 2001
642
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During the height of the Cold War, the famous Brandenburg Gate in Berlin stood in all its baroque splendor as a monument to not only man?s artistry but also his inclination to control other men through government regulation and intimidation.

Near that famous gate young men in U.S. Army green asked people passing from East to West Berlin or vice versa for identification. This point of entrance or exit became known as "Checkpoint Charlie." On the opposite side of that famous checkpoint, other young men in Red Army green also checked papers. As thousands passed through to freedom and the rule of law or to oppression and tyranny they heard a phrase now infamous?"let me see your papers." These words of autocratic officialdom had become a macabre joke both during Nazi tyranny and under the communist variety after the war.

I don't want to be asked for my "papers" here in the Land of the Free!
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,967
140
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I thought we already have a national ID card...it's called a green card. ;)
 
Oct 16, 1999
10,490
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Yes if it is only used for identification purposes. A big no if it involves some sort of database that records every when/where/and why you use it.

Ideally I'd like to see in the form of something just added to all state's driver's liscense. Maybe a holographic emblem that can't be easily forged. Driver's liscenses are used as ID every day anyway, this would just make it more secure.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
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I say it's a bad idea. I like my privacy, and I'm not rela big on being tracked, cataloged, and monitored.

Also, I have enough cards in my wallet already, I don't want anymore.

Anyone else forsee a future reminiscent of the USSR? Where you have to show your official documentation/IC card at every state line you drive across, every time you get on a plane, every time you buy something, etc?

I think that sucks.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Everyone has ID anyway. This would just link everything together. No problem with me!
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
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I would definitly go for it. I have to use my military ID card on a daily basis, so it wouldn't be much different.

And for those of you who complain, how on earth will this make your life any more difficult? If anything, it'll make it easier.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81


<< Those who would trade freedom for safety deserve neither. >>



This isn't a freedom issue, so don't try and make it one.
 

OREOSpeedwagon

Diamond Member
May 30, 2001
8,485
1
81
I think ID cards are a good idea. There's what, almost 300,000,000 people who live in the US, I doubt a person sitting in an office would be staring at logs of where you personally been, anxious to see your next move ;) But I think it would help security and restrict terrorists and the like from entering the US (and boarding planes). A holographic emblem would probably have to be on there, or something else hard to forge.
 

BlueApple

Banned
Jul 5, 2001
2,884
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<< Yes if it is only used for identification purposes. A big no if it involves some sort of database that records every when/where/and why you use it.

Ideally I'd like to see in the form of something just added to all state's driver's liscense. Maybe a holographic emblem that can't be easily forged. Driver's liscenses are used as ID every day anyway, this would just make it more secure.
>>


^ I agree. Hopefully there will be biometrics integrated.
 

gtd2000

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,731
0
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Well, with the highest proportion of your citizens (%age) incarcerated in the world - you won't need an ID card system - you'll all be locked up soon ;)

Anyway - the USA is one of the most "controlled" places I've been so far - and I've travelled extensively in China too - may I add...

If anybody thinks issuing a National ID card is going to make your life any easier/safer than it is now - you need to stay off the acid you are taking ;) Do you think terrorists need an ID card or will be required to have one to travel to the USA? If they do - what difference will it make - the data is only as good as the accuracey of the data stored - do you think that covert operations personnel travel on their own ID papers etc?

I've been to the USA several times and pre-9/11, I actually commented to colleagues at work how disgracefully "slack" airport security was - unfortunately, this proved to be somewhat of an ironic observation :(

Anyway - National ID's are a good idea in the sense that u can prove who you are and avoid (to some extent) CC fraud etc, etc, however, they will not make your life any safer against terrorism - thats my two pennies worth anyway ;)