John, I can be persuaded, but until now nobody has come forward with a concrete example of how a national ID card would be harmful -- only vague statements about "big brother," etc. I am just a bit suspicious about the motives of persons who want to be completely invisible. This seems to me just a bit like insisting on our "right" to own assault rifles.

I agree that one should think very carefully before introducing such a thing. Why shouldn't the government know where people live? We want the government to take censuses, for just that purpose. And prevent crime. I'm not real sure I think we should have a national ID card, but before I decide we shouldn't, I would want to hear better reasons than I have so far.

All the Continental European countries have national ID's, and it seems the British have a national driver's license. Are you aware of abuses in those countries, and if so, what are they?