Great Moments in Labeling
This is pretty funny, as highlighted in Reason's Hit and Run:
Under the plan, any person seeking a new job would be required to obtain an updated "counterfeit-proof" Social Security card, equipped with a digitized photo and an electronic identification strip containing the person's legal status. To offset fears of government intrusion, the card would be clearly marked, "This is not a national ID card," [California Republican congressman David] Dreier said.
Gosh, what a great solution. Think of the applications. All Phillip Morris has to do is write "this is not a cigarette" on each Marlboro and poof: all that nasty regulation and litigation goes away. I guess I would not need a liquor license to sell Budweiser's labeled "this is not beer". Or maybe Pamela Anderson can get a T-shirt that says "these are real". LOL.
By the way, for business owners, don't miss this gem later in the article:
Employers would have to check a prospective employee's legal status against a new employment eligibility database either by swiping the card or calling a hot line. Those who fail to do so, or knowingly hire an undocumented worker, would face fines of up to $50,000 and five years in prison for each occurrence.
Nothing like spending 5 years in the slam for having one of your managers forget to check the ID of someone they hired.