FWIW, I don't have cable TV (I get reception just fine from my antenna). I never missed the detail that you have a choice about filling in the forms for the shopper card, etc. I was simply pointing out that people have (usually without thought) already provided more information than they realize. For many things you don't have a choice. Try to open a bank account without a SSN. Try to order utilities (electricity, gas, water) without a SSN.

You want a real benefit, try the part about checking outstanding arrest warrants. If the ID information is uniform, or at least meets a minimum standard, then the various databases can be searched more efficiently and that axe murderer just might not get away after being stopped for running a red light.

Also, please don't confuse what point I'm making with my personal beliefs. I frequently attempt to point out things that someone may have overlooked regardless of my personal opinion of the subject. Yes, I try to look at issues from all sides (a rare thing in this world it seems).

For the record, I am FOR national standards for ID cards. I hope the are machine readable. I hope they do not use RFID. If they are going to require a national ID card, they had better make it authoratative for identification. If I have one, I should not need 3 or 4 forms of ID for a new job, or to open a bank account, or any of the other tasks that require multiple proofs of identity.