Should the Unites States implement a national ID card?

INTRODUCTION

National identity cards are identification documents issued by various governments and or their departments . Depending on the country national identification cards carry different information , but there is some common information that will be found in almost all identification documents . This information may include the name of the person , place of birth , nationality , age , family lineage among other necessary information

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

American citizens have rejected the introduction of a national identity card system . Different advisory committees and task forces have from time to time rejected the

introduction of the national identity card In addition , many organizations and individuals are against the expansion of the social security number , which was introduced in 1936 in to a fully recognized identity card

Issues of the type of card to be issued , the functions of the card as well as security measures associated with the card have for a long time been very elusive . In analyzing this I will seek to examine the types and functions of identity cards in various countries and their merits and demerits . In addition , I will try to look at some of its possible use within the United States

ORIGINS OF THE PROBLEM

Issues of a national card for identification purposes started long time ago after the introduction of the social security number . The social security number was introduced in 1936 and it was introduced with the purposes of acting as an individual account of the social security system for administration purposes

Over the years , the social security number has been expanded to cover other areas including having the number indicated on driver 's licenses

Over the last four decades issues of the introduction of a national identification system have become more pertinent especially in the wake of terrorism and organized crime and most importantly in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

In many countries across the globe national identification cards are widely used . In most parts of Asia , Africa , and Latin America identification cards are widely used and most importantly in former British colonies . National identification cards are widely used , and they have for a very long time now been advocated as a tool or means to promote and enhance territorial or national security . They have been effectively used to unmask potential terrorists as well as guarding against illegal immigration

National identification cards have been effectively used in Malaysia Hong Kong , Thailand , Kenya and Nigeria . Currently debate is still going on within the United States on the possible advantages and or demerits of introducing the card system

In 1971 there was set a task force on the social security number . The task force set up by the social security administration , rejected a proposal that had been setup to consider ways of advancing the social security number in to a national identification card

On the same issue in 1973 , there was another rejection of the introduction of a national identity card by the health , education and welfare advisory committee set...