The Nation: Numbered for Life

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Even though many Americans feel that they, are codified and computerized enough as it is, the Senate Finance Committee last week approved a bill that would require every child entering the first grade to be issued a Social Security card and number to carry with him through life. The immediate purpose of the measure would be to make it harder for people on welfare to cheat; universal distribution at an early age would make it more difficult for anyone to apply for false Social Security cards later. In other words, a number in a central file would track a person for life from approximately the age of six. Such a system would further enable the Government to amass information on citizens and store it in a central computer under a single identification number. To date, no one has suggested using tattoos.