1 in 4 will revolt, but the government doesn't care

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
How do you write checks?

You still use cheques?

[Patroklos]

How many everyday Brits do you think buy firearms or explosives, or enters military facilities? If you were picking your kids from day care do you think that the carers might just instead employ the simple check of knowing who you are by experience rather than asking for a retina scan?

These are examples, some in the extreme some mundane, which illustrates just how useful it would be across all spectrums.

As for daycare, I am guessing you don't use it much if the only safeguard you think necessary against some stranger picking your kids up is whether an underpaid caregiver who probably supervises a thousand children over a week remembers every parent by face. Right now they do use IDs to pick your kids up, and if you can think of a reason not to make that transaction more secure go for it.

That reinforces the point that the ID cards for tracking purposes are a waste of money.

Who ever said the card was for tracking purposes? Sure it could be used for such in instances when it has to be scanned, but how often do you think every feature of the card will actually be used? CAT card data chips are only used when accessing secret web sites, in which case tracking would be a welcome side effect, though the main purpose of the ID card is to ID you at time of use, you know, in case you weren't supposed to be accessing secret web sites.

Add to that, for these cards to be useful in the consolidated form you mention a person will need to be asked to present them just to rent a library book.

So? Do you not have to present your library card? Does this not get scanned? Does it not have all sorts of information such as your address, check out history (to find those nasty dissidents OMFG!!!), and most heinous of all date and time you were there on file? What does it matter if your picture is on it? It might keep people from checking out Bill O'Rielly books under you name thus soiling your good reputation. What logical reason do you have for the library not proving who you are before they give government property to you?

This seems ridiculous. Even then, consider the 7/7 bombings in London. Please, someone, explain how the ID cards, if implemented as planned, would have done anything to prevent the attack.

Probably nothing, as they were citizens in good standing before the bombings. Home grown terrorism has its own host of problems. Did your cameras stop any IRA bombings? But hell, if we can't stop bus bombings why worry about credit card fraud or kidnapping or me not having to care 20 different cards in my wallet?

[Patroklos]

You still use cheques?

My apartment comples still makes me use checks or money orders.

[KrazyHorse]

I doubt they make you show a photo ID every time you pay rent.

If you have BoA they'll mail a cheque to your landlord directly from your bank account if he doesn't accept electronic payment.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
You still use cheques?

Yes, why wouldn't I?

[KrazyHorse]

Like at stores?

[DinoDoc]

Sometimes.

[KrazyHorse]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_card

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_card

I barely tolerate having a Debit Card. Why would I wish for a Credit Card?

[KrazyHorse]

Not only does it avoid the hassle of cheques, it also gives me an interest-free loan for 21-52 days and pays me ~1% of my purchases for the pleasure of having me as their customer.

[KrazyHorse]

The credit card companies hate people like me.

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
The credit card companies hate people like me.

Do you use automatic payment in full for the credit card balance?

[KrazyHorse]

No, but I schedule the payments far in advance (along with all my other monthly bills on the same day)

[Geronimo]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
No, but I schedule the payments far in advance (along with all my other monthly bills on the same day)

Scheduling the payments in advance sounds like pain in the arse if you use the credit card for all purchases unless I'm misunderstanding how you are doing so.

AFAICT that only would be convenient for recurring bills. I had thought we were mainly talking about using plastic to make purchases at stores.

[Dauphin]

I would presume the bill comes in on the day after the last day of the period, the bill amount would then be scheduled to be paid ~20 days later. It doesn't matter how many payments you make on your card, you only schedule one payment to clear the balance.

I have mine paid off by direct debit monthly, I just check the balance amount was correct, and then later that it was paid correctly, when the respective credit card and bank statements come through.