I did not expect to see so many people so strongly against identity cards. I have had one for a while and it's very convenient and useful.
How is this different from passports? The government already has your basic information. Why passports and not identity cards? To me, my ID card is like a passport in credit card dimensions.
"How is this different from passports?...Why passports and not identity cards? To me, my ID card is like a passport in credit card dimensions."
Your passport can't really be used for online identification. An ID card can. But this also means your online activity can potentially be tracked. Who will have access to this data and for what purpose will it be used? What control will users have over their data? Lot's of peeople (including me) don't trust the competence or goodwill of our governments over such matters.
But there are also many instances where we readily give up some of our most personal information. For example, a lot of European countries require your fingerprints when you apply for a passport. This is stored as biometric information on the passport. When you travel, some countries will also take your fingerprints before allowing you into their country. Many travellers are happy to do that. So yes, when it comes to privacy and identity we often exhibit contradictory behaviour and opinions.
Isn't that because the US is so big (and also with a huge economy I guess)? Most countries are much smaller (like Estonia, or its neighbouring countries) and leaving the country isn't as big a deal.
It's definitely possible, but much more unlikely than going without a passport, for two reasons:
1) The expanse and culture of the U.S. favors driving cars, so most people learn to drive a car. A driver's license is most people's form of photo ID.
2) A puritanical history makes for strict age limits on alcohol and tobacco; young adults must show photo ID in order to enter many bars and clubs where alcohol is served.
These two factors mean that most Americans have an ID by the time they are 21. In fact, I don't know anyone who doesn't have one.
I don't know. Social Security Numbers (SSN) we have are a national ID number in pretty much everything but name. And even though they are explicitly not supposed to be used as identification (it says so on the card), that's how it's used 99% in practice.
How is this different from passports? The government already has your basic information. Why passports and not identity cards? To me, my ID card is like a passport in credit card dimensions.