I have always thought that the existence and need for a national ID card would immediately become apparent if the US government did one simple thing – stop printing 20’s, 10’s and 5’s. Think what would happen.

First nothing because a lot of smaller bills would still be in circulation but the treasury ‘retires’ bill so the supply would start to dry up.

Next people would begin to rely more and more on their credit or debit cards simply because you would have no other choice.

After that, when CC’s the debit cards were the only way a person could function, the government could demand (if they haven’t already) a veto on who’s cards would be active. The government could shut off any card at any time and the person holding that card would be frozen in place. They could not buy gas, fly anywhere, or even buy food. They could attempt to pay with coins but other than fast food you would be screwed. It would be a great thing for locking down a city for any reason (real or imagined) and targeting a specific person would be trivial.

Right now I can track my wife when she is out buying anything. I can see the transitions, as they occur, in our bank account and from that I know within a few feet where she is. One time as a joke I called her cell phone and said in a menacing voice ‘Step Away From the Walmart Cash Register’. When she got home she beat me senseless.

National ID card - What do you carry in your wallet?