Big Brother?

[nebulus200]

One thing that has been bugging me in reading all these posts is that in many of the references, instead of using 'the government', 'they' is used. Might just be a quicky way to reference it, but it seems to me, at least in the States, that people forget, this government is OUR government, it is for the people, by the people...If you don't like something our government is doing, it is your right and duty to let your representative in government know, and loudly...

If enough people would engage in their civic duty and give your elected representatives an earful for some of the boneheaded things going on in this country from time to time, instead of passively saying 'they are going to do this no matter what' and allowing it to happen, then the US will face a dark future...

Your government works for you, NOT vice versa...

Neb

Crap, typing too fast again and not proofreading...then the US will face a dark future --> then the US will NOT face a dark future...

Duhhhhh...

Also meant to add, the government governs with the consent of the people. The government has power given to it by the people, it is the citizens of the US that hold the real power, but only if they participate...

[oldguy]

are you trying push my buttons or what
Have you heard about draft cards, more specificly burning them I have friends who are living in canada thirty years after that war, why because they belived that the govt. was behaving like terrorists.
I spent three years wearing green because I felt I was needed (no not in east asia) but I was in panama in 80-81
BUT I WILL NOT SUBMIT TO NATIONAL ID CARDS
the federal govt. is suppost to support state govt. and be a single voice to the rest of the world NOT MY BABYSITTER...............
Sorry about the rant but I have seen personal freedom slowly erode because people trusted the feds to do the right thing/ they are in power because they like the power/
the federal govt will not support any ideas or actions that will empower the average person to do so would reduce their personal importance and power
anyway sorry again if I'v offended anyone but the only person who can contol and regulate my behavior is ME>>>>>> what we need is more personal responsability, good manners wouldnt hurt either.
<<<< steppin out to cool off >>>>>>>

[rogue_scholarX]

And trust me when I say, we do have one of the strongest militaries around, only others that have a big of one is england, britain, and the isralies.

On a sidenote england and britain are the same country. Im pretty sure the pecking order is China, America, England, Israel, Australia, Canada etc.. not positive as to Australia and Canada but they are essentially America's little brothers' anyway. (Being kind of ironic since Canada was a french settlement and Australia the British island prison.)

Nebulus, sorry but you need to step outside. Thanks to global media the politicians can completely ignore what people think. (They did in florida). It is no longer the role of citizens to be active, to operate the citizens must be complacent outsiders only observing what They do to us. The government has long been separate from the normal citizenry and no one has noticed that it was not meant that way. The government is supposed to be an active body that supports the will of the American people. It is supposed to be the head, while the people are the body. Unfortunately it seems that the Government has become a conveyer belt, and only needs us so that it can appear useful.

[bigdj818]

I personally don't think it's any different that the driver's licenses that we currently use, it would just provide more access than whether you're supposed to be driving or not. I think that should be done here in the U.S. just make it part of the D.L. that also insures that if you're in a country, whether it's the U.S. or not, you're ok to be there.

[GreekGoddess]

National ID cards have long been advocated as a means to enhance national security, unmask potential terrorists, and guard against illegal immigrants. They are in use in many countries around the world including most European countries, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Americans have consistently rejected the idea of a national ID card. In 1971 the Social Security Administration task force on the SSN rejected the extension of the Social Security Number to the status of an ID card. In 1973, the Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) Secretary's Advisory Committee on Automated Personal Data Systems concluded that a national identifier was not desirable. In 1976, the Federal Advisory Committee on False Identification rejected the idea of an identifier. In 1977, the Carter Administration reiterated that the SSN was not to become an identifier, and in 1981 the Reagan Administration stated that it was "explicitly opposed" to the creation of a national ID card. Throughout the debates over health care reform, the Clinton Administration also constantly stressed that it was opposed to a national identifier. In 1999 Congress repealed a controversial provision in the llegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 which gave authorization to include Social Security Numbers on drivers' licenses.

In response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, there has been renewed interest in the creation of national ID cards. Larry Ellison, head of Oracle Corporation, the California based software company, has called for the development of a national identification system and offered to donate the technology to make this possible. He proposed ID cards with embedded digitized thumbprints and photographs of all legal residents in the U.S. UK Home Secretary David Blunkett is also considering proposals for a national ID card. So far, however, no such measures have been proposed in Congress and the White House is reportedly "not even considering the idea".

Tons of relevant articles included in this document...very interesting read.

[gstudios]

I think when people realize that when the government says "more security" they actually mean, more control over the people than actual security, it will already be too late. You can't stop a moving train by standing in front of it.

Also, they speak of add security. Good. I want SECURITY! Old Fashioned Security. None of the 'eye in the sky' type. To get good security you need old fashioned security. Guards manning entry ways, guards paying ATTENTION, guards being PAID what they are worth.

Another rant that I have. Or question if you will....

If we had national ID cards back in 1995, would the O.K. City bombing still taken place?

[rogue_scholarX]

Goddess, the site you posted is from EPIC, they are VERY anti-national ID. In fact almost everything after the quote you took from their site is news about how they are fighting it.

[GreekGoddess]

I know...I thought that might add to the perspective a little, seeing some of the reasons that other people came up with against the whole ID card idea.

[rogue_scholarX]

Oh ok, that's really cool... most people don't even try to understand the other POV let alone post links to it. :P

I think that we've beaten this cat dead... and flat... and poor kitty. Im dropping my argument as i've already said everything that needs to be. See you round GreekGoddess.