THE WAFFLEMAN: When You Need A Photo ID … Aside From Voting

BY JOE SBARAGLIA/ Yo! Here we go again with these thoughts on things that require showing a valid ID. They normalize the concept of having and using photo identification in almost every phase of life – do you agree?

Having a valid driver’s license while driving a car; boarding an airplane; showing your passport in a foreign country; visiting a doctor’s office or hospital; visiting a patient in a hospital.

When applying for a job; at the pharmacy; all bank transactions; applying to enroll in a school; applying for store credit.

Establishing a utilities account (water, light or phone); purchasing a car; car registration; using Medicare/Medicaid; opening a retirement account.

Donating blood; buying a firearm; applying for Social Security services; at pawn shops; writing a check; cashing a check.

Using a credit or debit card; buying car insurance; buying train tickets; buying annual tickets to amusement parks; volunteering at nonprofit organizations.

Applying for a professional license; buying a house; making an application to rent an apartment; and, of course, when stopped by the police.

This is only partial list of things that require being asked for photo identification. So the simple request of having to show a valid photo identification to vote is not racist, intrusive or political – it is part of modern life.

   Send article as PDF