Hi, Bilow,
Re: "Our problem is that we have a nation-wide transportation, banking, credit, and voting system, but no nation-wide identification system. It's a travesty of efficiency.
Don't know how you define, "system," but some of those things are nationwide, some regional, and some local. And if banks are national, why can't you cash a check in the CA, ME, or FL branch of your nationwide bank? In fact, the times I've shopped out of state with a check, national check-cashing services like Telecheck make it pretty easy at stores, as do the front desks at the hotels I've stayed at. Besides, it's not the out-of-state driver's license and questionable identity that's the problem with an out-of-state check; it's the cost and hassle of chasing down out-of-state check bouncers that is. Merchants sometimes say, "No out-of-state checks," not "No out-of-state I.D.'s".
Nowadays, if you lose a credit card you can cancel it and get a new one, with a new number, in days. But if you lose, or somebody tries to assume your national I.D. card, what do you do -- melt into oblivion? Just think about all the phone calls you'd have to make and letters you'd have to write after they issue you a new one. And think about the mischief a thief can get into, using your i.d., until he's caught. You'd have no assets left, as well as no i.d.
P.S. Sounds to me like you're part of the crowd that believes statehood and federalism are outdated and we should abolish state government in favor of solely federal government. Are you?
P.P.S.S. Re an earlier post, which I believe was yours, re people in court on charges of driving w/o a valid licenses. (Yes, I've spent many days in court at the state and federal level. I'm a lawyer.<g>) I imagine those who are in court represent a very, very small percentage of those who aren't, and even they were probably stopped on other charges, in the overwhelming majority of instances. |
