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National Id

The idea of a National ID card leaped into the headlines just after September 11.   (Carlson 1) After the World Trade Center tragedy, many countries discussed the issue of national identity cards to prevent terrorists from entering the American population.   A National Identification card would be a convenient document, typically a plasticized card with digitally- embedded information. An individual would be required or encouraged to carry this identification card everywhere to confirm ones identity.   “On May 11, 2005, Congress passed the Real ID Act as part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief Act, creating national standards for the issuance of state driver’s licenses and identification cards. The act establishes certain standards, procedures and requirements that must be met by May 11, 2008 if state-issued IDs are to be accepted as valid identification by the federal government. The Real ID will cost more than $11 billion to implement.” (National Governors Association 1) This act is awfully controversial because the plan would include developing a national database of basic personal information.   For example, the new National ID card will hold access to an individual’s medical, financial, driving, Social Security, license, firearms registrations, and political status. In essence, the national identification card will seize all the information necessary to know everything about ones history. Without the card, people could be denied bank accounts and the right to travel by plane in the United States of America.   Basically, no one will be considered a citizen without the national identification card.
Since the September 11 tragedy, there has been serious debate brewing over a national identification card or system. A national identification card or system would require U.S citizens to carry an ID card, with their fingerprints and retina scans. Supporters of such a system see it as

a way to...