Lack of ID increases plight of homeless

[buckthesystem]

In this brave new world what is to happen to people who don't conform to the norm or "little boxes"? It seems that they are to just be ignored and left to die and they will no longer be anybody's problem, and then the rest of society can go on "giving up rights and freedoms - the freedom to have lack of id, or "fit into a neat little box" - for the sake of peace and safety".

Mind you, I think this article was written by someone with an agenda to say "everyone needs an id card"

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http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a.../706030303/1002

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Article published Jun 3, 2007

Lack of identification increases plight of homeless

By Katherine Crowell

Staff Writer

SALISBURY -- Simply having an identification card can open doors for people.

However, obtaining and holding onto an ID card can be extremely difficult for someone whose life lacks stability.

In Maryland, people have to provide proof of residence and identity. The most common ways people get ID cards here are by providing a birth certificate and Social Security card, or birth certificate with two secondary sources of identification which include items like utility bills, lease agreements, bank account statements and others.

Without identification, homeless men and women are unable to receive government assistance, food stamps, health insurance and subsidized housing, and sometimes they are unable to seek employment.

But word on the street has traveled fast that Donna Clark, outgoing parish nurse with Salisbury Urban Ministries, has been helping people in need find creative ways to get out of the Catch-22 situation.

"We're helping," she said. "The government now requires birth certificate for proof of receiving benefits. They want to further confirm people are not ripping off the system."

Every week, eight to 12 people visit Clark in her small, cluttered office off of Church Street to find out what they need to do to get ID cards. Some are homeless. Others are simply in need. She's helped more than 150 people in the past year obtain identification.

Recently, Clark offered a number of out-of-the-box methods for people to obtain sources of identification required by the Mary-land Motor Vehicle Administra-tion.

She suggested getting a library card, a letter from a parole officer or social worker, or a letter from the police stating there are no warrants out for the individual's arrest. All of these count as secondary sources of identification, she explains to clients.

Salisbury resident Robert Hargis has been working with Clark to get an ID card for about six months. He needs identification in order to get health insurance and subsequently take proper care of his serious heart condition.

"I can't go back and I can't go forward -- I'm out there on a limb," Hargis said. "I need medicine. To get the medicine, I need insurance. Then things will start to fall in to place once I get a birth certificate."

(for rest of article go to link)

[Leonard]

When you're right, YOU'RE RIGHT!!!

There's an old black and white movie you ought to see; I think it was called "The Brave Cowboy" with Kirk Douglas.

It's about this ranch hand--born on the ranch, always paid in cash--who never had ANY I.D. No birth certificate, no driver's license, no social security card. He was just a free man. But when he decides to leave the ranch and go see the wider world, the trouble begins.......