The summary of the given text is as follows:
The text discusses the history and usage of the Social Security number in the United States. It begins by noting that unlike many other countries, Americans do not have a national ID card, and the idea of creating one is a political hot topic. However, US citizens do have a unique number, the Social Security card, which is used by many places to prove identity. This number has become a quasi-ID, used by the government and banks to identify citizens, but it was never intended for this purpose.
The Social Security number was created during the Great Depression as part of the Social Security program, a mandatory pension system. The idea was to provide citizens with a financial safety net for their retirement years. Over time, the application for a Social Security card was extended to all working adults, and even children, despite the fact that children's labor was considered worthless.
The text then discusses how the Social Security number was used by various institutions to track citizens, making it easier to manage taxes and other financial matters. However, the Social Security number was not designed to be used as an ID, and it lacks the security features found in other ID numbers, such as self-checking digits.
The text also mentions that not everyone has a Social Security account number or pays into the program, and there are exceptions to the universal application of the program, including certain religious groups and certain occupations in Chicago. The text concludes by stating that the Social Security card, while universal in its application, fails at identification and is not a secure ID.
1. Americans value their independence and living outside the government's eye.
2. The idea of creating a national ID card is a political hot topic in the US.
3. US citizens already have a unique number, the Social Security card, used to identify them.
4. This number is crucial for the government and banks to identify citizens.
5. The Social Security card was created during the Great Depression as part of the Social Security program.
6. The program was designed to provide a mandatory pension for citizens during their working lives and in retirement.
7. Over time, the application for a Social Security card changed, and younger citizens often have 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 US tax department began using the Social Security numbers for tracking taxes, making it easier to assign working adults a number.
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 became a unique number that all citizens had right from the start, making it easy for other institutions to piggyback on the number.
12. The Social Security number was never designed to be used as an ID, and it lacks built-in security.
13. The Social Security number can be guessed easily, especially if you know the time and location of birth.
14. The physical card itself is just a piece of cardboard, and it does not provide any identifying information.
15. Not everyone has a Social Security account number and pays into the program.
16. Some religious groups oppose the idea of Social Security, usually because of the kind of insurance it represents.
17. To get out of paying Social Security, one must never have received any benefits and give up the rights to any in the future.
18. The new religion must also provide for its elderly and dependent members, which means recreating a social security program in the religion.
19. The Social Security card is not universal, and not everyone has one.
20. The card is given to all citizens except when it isn't for a program that's universal.