Identify Yourself

     I got a new voter registration card in the mail the other day and am reminded of the controversy over proposals to require photo IDs at the polls. Contrarians argue that some voters, minorities in particular, might be intimidated. That just seems to me an obvious red herring. I can think of all sorts of reasons why we should ensure that all eligible voters have ready access to the ballot but we should also have reasonable assurance that they are who they say they are, that they are indeed eligible, and that they only vote once per election. I can think of just one reason why any voter would not want to be positively identified. They intend to cast a fraudulent vote.
     I am required to carry a photo ID whenever I drive and to show it to a policeman if asked. I have to show one to get on an airplane or cross an international border. I am often asked for one when I use a credit card. Young people have to have them to purchase liquor or tobacco. Employers routinely require them for access to the workplace. Even blind people commonly obtain specially marked drivers licenses for ID purposes. A government issued photo ID is a basic need in modern life for just about everyone except children. Even infants have their footprints taken at birth just in case there is an identity question.
     Nor do I understand why people block caller ID on their telephones, though I have friends and relatives who do this. It would seem to be no more than common courtesy to let people know who you are. If you don’t want them to know you probably shouldn’t be calling. I remember an incident that occurred several years ago before most people had heard of caller ID. Two Dallas City Council members were involved in a dispute and one of them began getting harassing calls late at night. She went to the police who looked at computerized records at the phone company and determined that the calls originated from the home of her council antagonist. The resulting public embarrassment put an end to the calls. If that’s a violation of privacy I’m all for it.
     Now I see where some people are using fake caller IDs. Apparently it’s easy to do when making calls over the internet. It’s called caller ID spoofing but that’s too innocuous a term. Last fall several hundred constituents of Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., got recorded messages bad mouthing the congressman. Recipients were especially upset because they appeared to be coming from the congressman’s office. That’s hardly a harmless prank. There are companies advertising the service for a fee, for “entertainment” purposes. I understand there is no law against it but there should be. When I have a friend call and disguise his voice that’s one thing but faking a caller ID ranks right up there with the mass mailer who makes his junk look like official correspondence. It has the potential for serious abuse.
     I can understand why people keep their numbers unlisted. I don’t know of anyone who lists their cell phone. But when I’m doing the calling I’m more than happy to let people on the other end know who I am. Medical records should be kept private although sometimes this goes too far, financial records certainly, voting history of course, but identity? Come on. Maybe it’s just me but I have never felt a need to conceal my identity from anyone who had a legitimate need for it. Frankly I wonder about people who do.