The U.S. lacks a universal ID primarily due to concerns about
privacy and government overreach, historical and philosophical opposition to a national identity system, and practical hurdles like state-level autonomy and the complexity of implementation. There is a long-standing political and cultural resistance to a centralized ID that could potentially be used for government surveillance and infringements on civil liberties, such as freedom of movement and association.
Privacy and civil liberties
- Concerns about surveillance: Critics fear a mandatory national ID could lead to a surveillance state, making it easier for the government to track citizens.
- Infringement on rights: Opponents argue a national ID could justify government restrictions on liberty and lead to new forms of discrimination, reports the ACLU.
Political and philosophical opposition
- "American character": Many Americans view a national ID as contrary to the country's individualistic and anti-authoritarian spirit.
- Federalism: The U.S. system of federalism, where power is divided between national and state governments, has historically led to states managing identification, like driver's licenses.
- Opposition from diverse groups: Opposition has come from across the political spectrum, from those who fear government control to religious groups who have linked such systems to "the mark of the beast" in the Book of Revelation, notes Quora.
Practical and implementation challenges
- State revenue: States generate significant revenue from driver's licenses and other identification documents, and would be reluctant to give that up to the federal government.
- Logistical complexity: The system would be incredibly complex to create and manage, requiring a new federal agency to oversee it and risking long lines and poor service, say Reddit users.
- Existing identifiers: The U.S. already uses a patchwork of identifiers, such as Social Security numbers (which lack photos) and state-issued driver's licenses, which complicates the idea of a single, universal card.
