The narrative discusses the history and usage of the Social Security number in the United States. It explains how the Social Security number, originally created for the Social Security program during the Great Depression, has evolved into a quasi-ID number used by various institutions for identification purposes.
The narrative highlights the controversy surrounding the use of the Social Security number as an ID. It points out that while it was never intended to be used as such, it has become a common practice due to the lack of a national ID card in the U.S. The narrative also mentions that the Social Security number is not a secure number, lacking the self-checking security features found in other ID numbers.
The narrative further explains how the Social Security number is not universal, with some individuals not having one due to their religious beliefs or other circumstances. It also mentions the various exceptions to the Social Security program, such as certain groups of workers or residents of specific cities.
In conclusion, the narrative suggests that the Social Security number, while not a perfect solution, has become a de facto national ID due to the lack of a formal national ID card in the U.S.
1. Americans are a nation of pioneers who value their independence and live outside the eye of government.
2. The idea of creating a national ID card is a political hot topic in the United States.
3. Despite the sentiment that Americans don't need an ID card, they do already have one - the Social Security card.
4. The Social Security card is a quasi ID, a unique password to identify citizens.
5. Keeping this number secret is crucial as it is the key to the government and banks identifying you.
6. The Social Security number was created during the Great Depression to track what you put in and what you take out.
7. Over time, the need to apply for a Social Security card changed, and the younger you are, the more likely you've had one from birth.
8. The lack of a national identity card makes it harder for institutions to keep track of people over their lives.
9. The United States tax department used the Social Security number to track taxes, making it easier to assign a number to working adults.
10. The tax department encouraged parents to get a Social Security number for their children, tying it to a tax discount.
11. The Social Security number was turned into a unique number that all citizens had right from the start, making it easy for other institutions to also piggyback on the number.
12. The Social Security number was never designed to be used this way, and it has no security built into it.
13. The Social Security number can be guessed by knowing the first three digits (state where the parents applied for the card) and the last four digits (counting up in order).
14. The physical card itself is just a piece of cardboard, depending on when it was issued, and not even laminated.
15. Not everyone has a Social Security account number and not everyone pays into the program.
16. To get out of paying, you'll need to never have received any Social Security benefits and give up your rights to getting any in the future.
17. To get out of paying, you must also be a member of a religion opposed to the idea of Social Security.
18. The Social Security program is not universal, and there are exceptions for certain groups such as railroad workers, firefighters, police, or teachers in Chicago.