More police state

[msmemory_archive]

I was required to show photo ID as well as my membership card in order to get two maps at AAA. They claim they're having an identity-theft problem (but they don't seem willing to issue photo membership cards the way Costco does).

Comments

[tpau]

it's been for awhile. when i got my baltimore stuff and my pennsic stuff, the yneeded my membership card and my license

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

I've had to show them before, too -- years ago.

It certainly is annoying, I can agree with you there. But probably not police state evidence unless it's a government entity or similar (like the subway.)

However, you can write an annoyed note to AAA HQ and they might even listen, unlike the government.

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

By "identity theft" they mean "your friend might have lent you his or her card so you can get a free map - and that is bad for business".

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

I know what they mean. It comes across as "We presume you aren't actually entitled to use that card until you prove otherwise."

Well, henceforth I'm going to use their online ordering site for maps, thus reducing the demand for actual humans in AAA offices. So there!

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this looked a lot more like "service theft" than "identity theft" that they were preventing. Just like my credit card blocking my account when I buy gas in odd spots -- bad for them, not for me, if someone steals my card and buys $3.80 worth of gas!

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

My first reaction was "$3.80"? You can't get anywhere for that! Then I remembered your vehicle is not a car :)

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

I don't see how you can connect this and "Police State."

This is not governmental. This is a private business making what seems to be a reasonable rule. I have had to show my ID in the past.

Liam

[herooftheage.livejournal.com]

It is the presumption of dishonesty in every day life that of course requires us to check up on you. That it is becoming more and more common to require ID for every piddling thing makes it easier for the government to do so, not harder. Requiring ID is now in the very fabric of American society; whereas in our youth asking for ID would have been considered presumptuous rudeness that would have been greeted with the disdain it deserves.

The Police State happens when we let it: and we are more likely to let it once we stop treating each other as decent, honest, human beings.