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The thing about schemes like this is that they remain optional until such time as the majority of the population have them, after which it becomes easy to conve
by motters 16y ago
The thing about schemes like this is that they remain optional until such time as the majority of the population have them, after which it becomes easy to convert the system to a mandatory one since minority groups can easily be sidelined. Or alternatively they become so popular that it becomes difficult to function as a modern citizen without one (I hope this doesn't apply with Facebook accounts in the next few years).
- BlazingFrog 16y agoSpot on. When I relocated to the US from Europe, it was impossible for me to open a bank account, rent an apartment or get a cell phone without an SSN. When I explained that to people at the SS administration, they told me that an SSN can never be a requirement to obtain any kind of service. In reality, it's simply not true.
- ghshephard 16y agoUnder no circumstances, outside of tax purposes (employment, banking, etc...) can you legally be required to provide an SSN in the united states. Any time I've been "required", I've put up a fuss, and eventually been granted equivalent avenues to provide assurance of payment or reference checks. In most cases this involves a three to four month deposit on the service. Annoying, but given that the organization is entering a commercial relationship with me without knowledge of my credit worthiness, bearable. I detest these centralized government tracking systems on my activity, and hope that this next attempt on a national ID is quickly defeated.