Has everybody heard that the government is about to launch a national ID card unless they are stopped? I'm posting this under Romance Languages (among other places) because I think it is totally relevant for anyone in this country. If we all end up being assigned numbers, it will be on account of our own apathy.

I love how this rumor pops up every few years. If you're talking about the United States, you are already assigned a number. Don't you have a Social Security card? If you pay taxes, you have a tax ID number, which is your SS# or another number assigned to you. How about your Selective Service card, if you're a male of legal age?

At the state level, Driver's Licenses and State IDs have numbers attached to them. Banks have account numbers, as do library cards and customer rewards cards at various stores.

Unless you live in an underground bunker completely off the grid, you are already a number.

Have a nice day!

{fnord}

People here in Spain all have a national ID card; it's smaller than carrying your passport around, and at least in the city, less people have driver's licenses here, so it's more convenient. The only thing bad about it would be if you're FORCED to get one and carry it around, especially if it costs money. That would be a little creepy. But yes... I suppose we're already numbers.

Of course, if you travel at all there's also your passport number.