No National ID

Once upon a time I was in a public park shortly after dark with my then girlfriend and now wife. The park, as it turned out, was closed at that time of day. The officer who informed us of this fact requested to see our identification, which my wife did not happen to have with her. We were duly informed that it is required that one carry identification at all times, as my blond and blue-eyed wife could have been an illegal immigrant from, um, er, well, Canada maybe.

This incident with the police officer illustrates, in a way which my wife and I found amusing, how a measure implemented in good-faith can have repercussions against innocent people. Imagine this same scenario if we become required to have a national identification card as part of the crackdown by the new Office of Homeland Security. Just for kicks, let's assume our policeman friend is going through a bitter divorce, earlier in the day spilled hot coffee on himself, and is generally in a bad mood. Perhaps this time my wife's failure to carry proper identification results in handcuffs and a trip to the city jail. Somehow it's not so funny anymore.

A national identification card, much like random roadblocks to check for seatbelt violations and drugs and other u2018Suspect every Citizen' programs, would be a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. It states that "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated." If one must produce an identification card upon demand without demonstrable reason for suspicion, then one's right to be secure in one's person is conditional. If this condition can be imposed, additional conditions, such as curfews, or the requiring of permits, can be put in place as well. You'll then have the u2018right' to go where you please so long as you obey the hours of travel rules and have the proper documents, paying the proper fees of course, and have them in order for every checkpoint along the way.

Now some people may consider me an alarmist and claim that the scenario I describe would never happen. Maybe they're right. Of course, Franklin Roosevelt promised Social Security funds would never be touched for anything else. Woodrow Wilson promised to keep us out of war. Gov. Roy Turner promised the state of Oklahoma that our turnpikes would become free roads when the bonds used to fund them were paid. The elder George Bush promised no new taxes. But still, maybe you should trust government not to unnecessarily impede your right to go where you choose. Just don't forget your papers.

September 28, 2001