unicorn @ schloss.li (Black Unicorn) wrote:

On Tue, 26 Mar 1996, Duncan Frissell wrote:

...

... In fact, I suppose that government operation of the identification system (drivers' licenses, passports, etc.) in general is also horribly inefficient and should be attacked on efficiency grounds.

You might not like what you get in response. Streamlined and uniform identity documents generated at birth and renewed with tax filings would be the likeliest efficiency improvement. An inefficient government identification system is to the advantage of the privacy seeker.

Indeed. A wise man once said "Thank goodness we don't get all the government we pay for". Government inefficiency is our friend (except at tax time) -- don't wish for it to get more efficient unless it gets a lot smaller FIRST. paul !----------------------------------------------------------------------- ! Paul Koning, NI1D, C-24183 ! 3Com Corporation, 1-3A, 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough MA 01772 USA ! phone: +1 508 229 1695, fax: +1 508 490 5873 ! email: paul_koning@isd.3com.com or paul_koning@3mail.3com.com ! Pgp: 27 81 A9 73 A6 0B B3 BE 18 A3 BF DD 1A 59 51 75 !----------------------------------------------------------------------- ! "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over ! any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent ! harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not ! a sufficient warrant." -- John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty" 1859