Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 23, 1993 TAG: 9303230384
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
IN VIRGINIA, LIBERTY TAKES A BACK SEAT
JOSEPH Coccaro's Feb. 22 article on Virginians' ability to sue over damage to the environment contained an interesting quote from James R. Sweeney, associate professor of history at Old Dominion University: "There is a strong tradition of individual freedom and liberty in this state that comes in conflict with government regulation." Coccaro added that Virginia doesn't want regulation to get in the way of business or individual rights.We agree that there is a tradition of freedom and that many of our national concepts about individual rights originated in Virginia. Unfortunately, those rights are disappearing with little resistance or outcry.
Our driver's-license number is our Social Security number. It now provides a computerized picture so that kids can't alter the license and buy beer. Is that the only reason? We sure fell for that one!
This same number is required to register a vehicle, enroll children in school, obtain credit, get telephone service and perform other transactions. Every time we write a check, we are asked to produce our driver's license, which gives that cashier access to personal information (credit and medical history, marriages, divorces, schools attended, etc.).
The Privacy Act does not allow the Social Security Administration to reveal a person's number or recorded information. Court cases in Virginia agree, but say the holder of a Social Security number can voluntarily provide it. Then, appointed officials require use of that number in order to enjoy the privileges of residing within the state (driving, auto ownership, education) and even the right to vote!
Suppose a person decides not to have a driver's license? The Division of Motor Vehicles will issue a non-driver identification, complete with photo and Social Security number. Suppose you don't have a number? Not likely. The feds require us to number our children by age 2. Remember, citizen-identification requirements have always been a sign of totalitarianism and oppression.
And let's not forget presumption of guilt. Virginia is now the only state outlawing radar detectors in automobiles. This means that Virginians do not have the right to know when they are under police surveillance. With the advent of "detector detectors," each driver undergoes dual surveillance without probable cause: to see if he or she may be speeding and/or has a personal possession designed to monitor unwarranted police surveillance. The technology is available to our servants, but not to us as private citizens.
While the police are busily monitoring traffic, we may be less able to protect our families through ever increasing restrictions on private gun-ownership. Don't worry, the investigators can find all they need to know about the victims through the use of our Social Security numbers. Gosh, these regulations must really be for our own good!
We have strayed a long way from the ideals of the framers of our Constitution. In our opinion, individual liberty in Virginia has taken a back seat to regulation. BRUCE and CASIE MAASS FERRUM