Should the U.S. Have a National ID Card?
“Do you think it’s time that a government issued photo id should be required at
polling places to prove your identity before you vote? I believe so and it’s
something I’ve thought about for years. Currently the only verification would be
to check your signature and how it compares to the one on your registration
record. What prevents somebody from creating several identities and signing
registration cards with those fake names? he signatures would match. I doubt
that showing photo id to vote would be a hardship to anyone or discourage anyone
from voting.”
Yes, I agree, all citizens should be required to show ID every time they vote. How is this a bad idea?
Personally, I’d go even further and support a national ID card. Civil libertarians view this as essentially bar-coding people and a violation of rights, but I just don’t see it. A national ID card helps to alleviate a lot of other problems – not just voter fraud. Would you support a national ID card?
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Frank the Tank | Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
That’s a pretty smart reader you got there. I see nothing wrong with a national id card. Everybody already has social security numbers and most people have passports. Aren’t they forms of national id??
As far as voting goes, what’s wrong with proving your identity? How many times in the course of everyday life are you having to prove who you are? Voting is the key to our democracy, shouldn’t we do everything to make sure the process is untainted?
GPalmer | Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
This is a dangerous, slippery slope… I can’t say anything more erudite on this topic than this great statesman….
“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
-Benjamin Franklin
GPalmer | Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
Actually, I do have one other thing…
Use the proper tool to achieve the end… if you’re interested in secure voting, secure voting with a tool that doesn’t have far reaching applications….
It’s like shooting a sparrow with a shotgun…put down the shotgun… use the .22
dickmill | Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
I don’t think that it matters to the sparrow if he’s dead by shotgun or .22 — but that’s beside the point…
As Frank says, we have to show ID for lots of things every day. An 18 year old might have to show ID to see an R movie, but can walk into a voting booth with no ID. Make sense?
GPalmer | Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
Correct.. but, it’s not about the sparrow. It’s about the hunter; and the weapon you provide the hunter to do a particular job. Once you give him the shotgun, you can’t take it back… he can now go and take out a duck, then a deer, then a bear.
You’ve inadvertently given him WAY more power than intended, when all you really wanted to do is kill a sparrow.
My comments are not about providing ID at the polls.. they are about a National ID card…
Keith | Oct 28, 2008 | Reply
We should be required to show proof of voting eligibility when going to the polls. I vote early and they require I show my ID in order to pull a ballot. What’s the big deal about requiring ID when you go to the polling place on election day? I’m all for it!
Frank the Tank | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Just as an aside. Florida already requires photo id to vote. Seems to be working there.