Re: National ID cards are just the driver's licenses...

[Sandy Sandfort <sandfort@crl.com>]

C'punks,

On Thu, 14 Jul 1994, Timothy C. May wrote:

> . . . As to why my assets are not well hidden, hiding assets is harder
> than you think, despite what some here on this list may claim. . . .

> - Now I suspect my friend Duncan will mention that one can--and
> should--lease one's car from one's Nevada-based tax shelter company.
> Perhaps. But I again claim that this is much easier said than actually
> done.
> 
> (I hear these proposals and think of all the detailed arguments about
> how income taxes are invalid becuase Ohio incorrectly ratified the
> XXth Amendment, or somesuch. All very logical, but it doesn't work.)

The error in Tim's analogy between his income tax example standard 
privacy techniques is that the techniques have already passed the test of 
time.  They aren't theoretical; people have used them for years.  Tim's 
claim that "this is much easier said than actually done" only indicates 
that Tim either has never tried to do it, or did it poorly.  I've seen it 
done--year in and year out.  It's real, folks.

Over the period I've been on this list, I've seen the  optimism of 
various Cypherpunks wax and wane.  Normally, I greatly respect Tim's 
opinions.  Today, though, I think Tim is reflecting an emotional response 
more than a factual one.

I, and I'm sure Duncan, would be more than happy to discuss the subject 
with anyone on the list who is interested.  Let's do it offline, though, 
unless there is a strong crypto tie-in.


 S a n d y