Government: Getting Involved

From Slashdot:

“The Independent is reporting that the U.S. has asked the U.K. to use the same chips in their proposed identity cards as the ones in our proposed identity card. In effect, creating a trans-atlantic ID card system.” From the article: “The aim of getting the same microchip is to ensure compatability in screening terrorist suspects. But it will also mean that information contained in the British cards can be accessed across the Atlantic.”

I have a simple question — why is nobody panicking?.

Between this and RealID, we’re heading towards some very perilous territory. I personally don’t subscribe to the whole “government is evil incarnate” mode of thought; my belief is that it’s the lack of citizen participation in the system combined with beurocracy that causes the “evil” we see. Most people making stupid laws are decent people, so it’s the fact that they are uninformed that we need to address — not some mastermind plot to enslave the masses.

As for my part, I’m going to be joining the EFF and a couple of other groups in order to try and do my part. This sort of thing has to be head off at the pass, and what certain entities are banking on is the masses doing nothing until it’s too late. I for one will not be one of those masses.