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National ID Card System - Do You Fear It?
By Richard Moore
On September 11th, 2001, America’s sense of security was broken when foreign terrorist crashed planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. It was this event that revived discussion about adopting a national identity card system within the country. Two examples of the discussion that took place shortly after the September 11th tragedy are, “The Case for a National ID Card”, by Time Magazine author Richard Stengel, and an article published in the New York Times by Alan Dershowitz, titled “Why Fear National ID Cards?”. The authors use different techniques and evidence to make their points throughout their essays. The combination of the two essays ensures the reader understands the necessity, the concerns, and the effects of a national ID card system in the United States. Prior to easing concerns and discussing the effects of such a system, we must first examine the need for it. The Road to Big Brother: One Man's Struggle Against the Surveillance Society Alan Dershowitz’s essay outlines our need for a national ID card system with two reasons: it will help prevent terrorism and it will reduce ethnic profiling. The national ID card system would make it harder for terrorist to operate within the country. However it will not completely prevent the terrorist from entering the country or planning attacks. Dershowitz maintains that it will be more difficult for them to operate within the United States. “A national ID card would not prevent all threats of terrorism, but it would make it more difficult for potential terrorist to hide in open view, as many of the Sept. 11 hijackers apparently managed to do.” The security of the nation is reason enough to implement the identity system; however Dershowitz elaborates on the need by saying that it will help reduce ethnic profiling among U.S citizens with Middle Eastern decent. Each citizen would have the opportunity to carry an identity card that would allow them to travel easier, and therefore result in less profiling among those varied racial backgrounds. The need for a national ID card system became evident on September 11th, 2001, not only after we were attacked, but also when ethic profiling was started by the government against U.S. citizens. Stengel also addresses the need, but in a different way. Like Alan Dershowitz, he believes that such a system would help prevent terrorism and ethnic profiling, however he focuses more on persuading the reader by implying that they are in the minority if they do not support the system. He begins with a shocking statement that most people do not know. “France has one. So does Greece, Belgium, Sweden, and Spain. So do some 100 other nations. [Referring to national ID cards]”. However he doesn’t simply say we should have one because everyone else does. He reassures the reader, not only of our need for a national ID card system, but also Americans apparent desire for the system. He quotes two separate polls indicating between 60% - 70% of U.S. citizens support the idea of a national identity card. By presenting the poll and the example of the other nations using the system, Stengel uses a persuasive technique which implies that if you are against national IDs then your opinion is against the majority of Americans, and the world. Both Dershowitz and Stengel know that they must address the publics concerns about the issue after establishing its necessity. Alan addresses the most common concerns about a national identity card system by focusing on the concern of privacy and preventing a “big brother” government system. Alan writes about this concern using two examples. First, the driver’s licenses example helps the readers understand its similarities to a national ID card. The justification for the cards is that we already have to show our state drivers license as proof of who we are throughout our daily activities. Dershowitz says, “The vast majority of Americans routinely carry photo ID’s in their wallets and pocketbooks.” He calms the fear of government abuse by saying “intrusive government can be addressed by setting criteria for any official who demands to see the card.” The second concern he address is the desire for complete anonymity among citizens. He argues that complete anonymity is no longer an option in a post 9/11 America, and that such anonymity is not a right outlined in the Constitution. Alan’s comparison about how we already use state ids and his tough stand against complete anonymity are valid concerns for the public. The Road to Big Brother: One Man's Struggle Against the Surveillance Society In contrast Stengel uses another method to address America’s concerns. He validates the reader’s fear of privacy and government abuse, by giving them an example of what it was like when he lived in South Africa, and how the government used the national ID system as a tool of repression. He acknowledges that the idea of national ID cards “goes against our grain”, as Americans and quotes “Don’t tread on me. Give me liberty or give me death.” Even with the concerns of privacy, Richard reinforces that he is for national ID cards. He purposes that strict laws should be implemented to prevent government abuse of the system. He uses the example of the 4th Amendment that protects against illegal searches and seizures and comments that we would need something similar to protect privacy with the identity card system. The law would obviously have to be passed as an amendment. He further addresses the readers concerns by going through historic wartime laws that have been passed: Alien and Sedition Acts, suspending habeas corpus, and internment of Japanese-Americans. He recognizes that not all of the laws that were passed were something the country should be proud of, but shows encouragement that we can get it right this time with proper attention to the Constitution. By acknowledging the fear then addressing it, he helps the reader understand the topic in a different way than Dershowitz. Dershowitz outlines some of the evident affects a national ID card system will have: more security, less privacy, improved civil liberties to ethic minorities, and it will be easier to identify illegal immigrants. He reassures us that that we will need to give up some freedom but the system will reduce ethnic profiling and make us safer. The reader is left with a question about the effect the system will have on illegal immigration. “What about the fears that such cards lead to increased deportation of illegal immigrants?” And “It is true that the card would facilitate the deportation of illegal immigrants.” The government would have to be ready to set a policy regarding amnesty or deportation for illegal immigrants that are caught, and than have enough resources to implement it. Dershowitz discusses the effects of the system he supports, but so does Stengel. Stengel agrees with Dershowitz when it comes to the effects of the system, but unlike Dershowitz he mentions international visas by saying, “The card would not alleviate what many people think of as a much worse problem, international visas.” The national ID card system would have little effect on big loophole that could put the country in danger. By addressing the problem of international visa, he is helping the reader understand that national ID cards are not a fix all for preventing terrorism, but rather one more wall they would have to jump over to get into the country. The effects of the national ID card system is clarified when the author outlines what it will not fix and puts the issue into prospective for the reader. The case for national ID cards is strengthened when evidence from both authors is collaborated for the reader to understand the need, concerns, and effects of the purposed system. It’s true, they use much of the same evidence to support their idea for an identity card system, but their writing style and unique evidence is more than enough to strengthen the argument in their favor. Stengel uses a more personal approach with personal examples, famous quotes, polls, and historical facts to make his case. On the other hand, Dershowitz substantiated the evidence through the use of the driver’s license example, and better organization with more focused thoughts. The two essays can be used in conjunction to make a full and accurate case for national ID cards. After reading both essays I’ve come to the same conclusion as Stengel “The national ID card is an idea whose time will eventually come. And, in the end, I don’t think it’s such a bad one after all.” The Road to Big Brother: One Man's Struggle Against the Surveillance Society
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Contributor's Note
Makes sure you take a look at the book that the article links to. It's a very good book and gives some good examples of a "Big Brother" government.
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The Road to Big Brother: One Man's Struggle Against the Surveillance Society
The Road to Big Brother: One Man's Struggle Against the Surveillance Society
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