Every credit card application has that SSN attached to it (I have NEVER heard of someone being approved for credit without providing their SSN). Your listing with the landline phone company has your name, address, and phone number (and their system has your SSN too). Bank accounts require SSNs to open already (to report interest earned and verify your "character" - they run a check though the industry's systems to see if you have a history of bad accounts).

Then there are the stores with the "customer loyalty card" that reduces the amount they overcharge you for your food. They can tell who bought what, when the bought it, and other fun stuff like that.

How about those new digital cable services. That nice box that brings those pretty pictures to your TV is TWO WAY. The cable company knows what you watched, when you watched it, when you changed channels, when you turned it off. Satellite systems with that phone line return - ditto.

People need to GET OVER IT. This card will not cause a "massive loss in privacy." It will make catching criminals with outstanding warrants a bit easier as all the ID information will be standardized and (potentially) on one system. I should make starting a new job easier as it verifies my legal status (instead of the 3 to 5 items now required), and it will make carding people for movies, alcohol and cigs that much quicker since the DOB will be in a uniform spot.

For what it is worth, national standards for state ID cards are long overdue. I don't feel warm and fuzzy about Homeland Sevurity running the program, but then again, Social Security hasn't proved to be all that capable either.