When the Social Security System was created back in the 1930's, people objected to being issued a government number. They did not want a system like the Communists in the Soviet Union or Fascists in Hitler's Germany. They objected and the government bureaucrats assured the public the Social Security Number "would never be permitted to evolve into a national identity number." To prove it, they printed on the front of the cards: "For Social Security Purposes - Not For Identification."
Today, you cannot open a savings or checking account, buy stocks or even check into a hospital without a demand that you provide the bank or hospital with an SS number. Even your mortgage company wants that number. It is your Military ID number and it appears on your pilot's license. Most states try to double-talk you into giving it to them so they can put it on your driver's license for the whole world to see. Often you can give your SS number to a computer operator and they can bring up your data file faster than if you give them your name and ten other methods of identification.
When Congress passed the Privacy Act in 1974, it did have some good provisions in it. One was a prohibition against any government agency, which was not already using the SS number, from REQUIRING it in the future.
Only a few states were using the SS number on driver's licenses at the time, but that changed quickly. Nevada even passed a "must" law which clerks were told to show to any DL applicant who refused to let them know his Social Security number. To further intimidate the people the Driver's License office has a big sign which stated that no license will be issued to anyone without a verifiable Social Security number. Eventually, Nevada and numerous other states realized their error and they stopped demanding that the SS number appear on the driver's license. Now they give everyone the option -- but they still put the SS number in their file and if you know the numeric code you can determine what the SS number is just by applying the code to the DL number.
Some states merely indicate a place for you to write in your SS number on the driver's license application. If you do not fill it in, a clerk will ask you for it. If you refuse, he or she will innocently tell you that "you have to provide it." You do not! But to avoid arguments with the clerk you will have to request that the department supervisor be called. If the supervisor insists that it is "mandatory," suggest they call their attorney and ask about the 1974 Privacy Act. Plan to spend the better part of a day to get the license without your Social Security Account number appearing on it.
When you are stopped by a police officer and your SS number does not appear on your license, the officer will often ask you for it. He usually has a special place on the ticket (even warning tickets) so he does not forget to write it in. You do not have to give it to him. He may attempt to talk down to you in an intimidating manner like he's about to arrest you or something, but don't worry about it. It would be a violation of the 1974 Privacy Act for a government (police officer) to require your Social Security number when writing up a ticket or for any other purpose.
Fighting this might be a losing battle, however. Since government agencies are not permitted to keep your number on file, a private firm is doing it for them. That is legal! Again, the intent of a protective law, passed by our elected representatives, is being circumvented by bureaucrats who want to control the people. Known as the National Drivers License Clearing Center (NDLC) it has a direct line patched into its computers to and from every one of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Whenever a drivers license number is available along with a Social Security number, both are entered into the computer. As far as the computer is concerned, your DL number, Social Security number and name are one and the same. Since the FAA can't legally require the use of the number, they have the doctors get if for them when they give pilots their bi-annual medical.
If you apply for a U.S.Passport, you'll find a place for your SS number and an ominous "warning" that the IRS wants you to provide that number and failure to do so "may" subject you to a fine of $500. The Passport office doesn't care if you use it or not, and it is unlikely that they would ever deny a passport to someone who refused to give out the SS number. You are always "subject to a fine" and if it was a valid requirement, they wouldn't use the word "may!" If you apply for a passport and you do not want to give your SSN, do not mark or write anything in that space. Anything in that space will be considered a form of defacement and you will have the IRS on your back.
When a banker wanted to write my SS number on the back of a check I was cashing, I objected. I did not want the party who had written the check to have my SS number. He said he had to write it on the check. The dispute resulted in my pulling out my Social Security card and pointing out the printed words on the card "Not to be used for identification." That always worked in the past, but apparently the bureaucrats had been searching for a way around that argument.
The banker smiled condoningly and said, "That just means we can't accept your Social Security CARD as identification."
When the question of Social Security numbers came before the U.S. Supreme Court, the jurists again played the word game. They ruled that people do not have to provide their Social Security number to anyone except the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.
The Court continued with the ruling and said that nobody has to provide you with the services you want if you refuse to give them your Social Security Account number! Of course, they are correct. You are not required to have a bank account. You are not required to have a driver's license. You are not required to carry medical insurance. You are not required to check into a hospital.
Big insurance companies are pushing for Social Security numbers to be issued at birth. To help them, the IRS passed a regulation that if you want to claim someone as a "deduction" on your tax return, they must have a Social Security number. When you apply for health insurance for a newborn infant, some insurance firms will only issue the policy and coverage with the provision that you secure a Social Security number for the child within 10 days of birth. Of course, you are NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY DEDUCTIONS or buy insurance for your child, so such a requirement does not violate your rights.
Actually, you are not even required to have a Social Security number. Prior to 1955 there were numerous occupations which were not included in the SS program. Today, you might find it difficult to function without that number. Tomorrow, your children will find it impossible. Thanks to Congress, the bureaucrats have given us each a number to replace our name. Next you will find it on the birth certificate: A girl, 327-54-9873 was born on 03-06-99 to the very proud parents, 278-32-6789 and 438-30-6544. Place of birth (Zip Code) 55823. Attendant doctor was 432-98-6754. Sure makes it easier for the fascist bureaucrats!
Some people are seriously suggesting that the children should be issued a Social Security number at birth and then have it tattooed on the bottoms of their feet or inside their lower lip. Just like Nazi Germany, only a little more discrete!
Those who argue in favor of such liberty violations can be somewhat convincing. Nobody wants to have the babies mixed-up or stolen at the hospital. Tatoos immediately at birth will prevent that. When the kids go to school, they will have to remove their socks and show their SS number or pull their bottom lip down to reveal the number.
Those familiar statements "Open Wide" and "Bend Over and Spread 'em' and "Turn your head and cough," will eventually include "Show your feet," or "Pull down your lower lip!"