What’s Wrong with a National ID?

Oh, boy. Here it comes…

So, what’s wrong with the idea of a single, national ID/drivers’ license system? Frankly, nothing. Nothing at all. At least in theory.

A single ID ensures some level of standards of driver education and motor vehicle law, and makes it easier to keep track of your citizens at a basic level. Information — your driving and police records, for instance — become centralized, and available to all jurisdictions without a lot of hassle.

And, as long as it’s used in this manner, it is a “Good Thing.”

The problem is that such a program will come (and come it will) under the jurisdiction of the Office of Homeland Security. You see, for Homeland Security, things like a passport are no longer good enough. Seriously. Starting in 2007 (I believe), if you vacation in Canada or Mexico, you will be required to show both a passport and a valid US drivers’ license to get back into the country. WTF? Does that mean that the State Department’s background investigation is no longer valid?

Apparently not to Tom Ridge and his cronies.

So, while I believe that the idea of a common ID and licensing system is a good one, I’m afraid that soon we’ll be seeing jack-booted officers at state borders demanding to see our papers. Heck, a weekend trip to the country might even become suspect.

Yeesh!