I have been watching the press as they record the mood and feelings of people around the world. Much has changed since September 11th. I think that any further tragic events, if any, will force opinion even further into a particular mindset. Just follow my reasoning if you will. In a National opinion poll conducted last week, well over 80% of Canadians favor a mandatory personal identification system that would positively identify each Canadian.

Theoretically, each of those registered would be accessed as to security risk with any restrictions noted. Both the Canadian and United States governments would have instant access to the information so as to facilitate security at border crossing points and airports.

Canada, in conjunction with security officials on both sides of the border, is reported to be considering the purchase of finger print and Eye recognition technology to implement a secure identification system as soon as possible. There is however some concern that these measures can be circumvented and “more foolproof” ways should be identified and considered.

Security theorists are speculating that this wake up call may be the perfect opportunity to identify and implement a total economic and social security package that would solve all security information problems.

With the implementation of such a system, it would be impossible for the unauthorized use of funds to support any terrorist or illegal activity encompassing everything from smuggling to the drug trade. This solution would also extend to the elimination of the underground untaxable economy, dishonest tax reporting, questionable accounting practices, government costs of information collection and many other reporting, monitoring and control difficulties.

Criminal and anti-social activity requiring the use or transfer of funds would be impossible. All crime would be eliminated overnight.

Automated transfer of funds for all economic activity between individuals, entities and nations would be the only possible means of exchange. This would require that all individuals, corporate entities and people groups be registered so that all monetary exchanges, whether large or small, be instantly recordable.

Any illegal monetary activity would be impossible, as all other mediums of exchange would be prohibited by law. This requires the total elimination of cash and barter in society. Each person and entity would be known by their name, and their authorized number, using a foolproof system, possibly based on DNA, common to all men, but different in individuals.”

The advantages of such a system will move the nations and peoples of the world into a new era of peace, security and efficiency as most long standing problems will be solved.

Such a computerized system must be implemented world-wide as most national economies are internationally integrated. The security breaches in one nation, may have threatening implications in others.

Any country or individual that would not implement the system would be isolated and cut off from trading and travel and would be considered a threat to those that are secure inside the system.

Because of Economies of scale, technologies enabling such measurements would be administered by an international body authorized by all participating nations. The leadership of such a body would have the means and authority to conceive, implement and enforce the methods and mediums of authorized exchange and tracking. Human rights would be safeguarded within the system, and necessary personal, corporate, and national privacy guaranteed by the organizations’ charter and oversee committees.

Individual nations would retain the right to internal controls as they see fit so long as they harmonize with internationally acceptable standards.

The advantages of such a system will move the nations and peoples into a new era of peace, security and efficiency as all the following problems will be solved:

(A) Credit application and administration (B) All accounting services and reporting (C) Elimination of all criminal activity involving use, exchange, or theft of goods and funds. (D) Automated tax assessment and collection. (E) Elimination of illegal funding of groups or individuals involved in illegal or anti-social behaviors (F) Accurate and timely information for the formulation of economic and social policy as well as the instant means of enforcement. (G) The instant tracking of all persons in all areas of the world for criminal investigation, social and economic profiling, as well as physical locations. (H) elimination of most government departments and the accompanying costs such as Income tax, Customs, Driver’s licenses, social security, passports, etc.

The computer technologies and systems required are now available to implement such a “utopic” system. Whether the political will exists to put in place such a system depends upon whether the populations of advanced societies perceive the need for security to out weight the need for personal secrecy.

Whether the rights for non disclosure yields to the need for freedom of movement by having been accepted as a non-risk citizen is yet to be seen. It depends on what happens next. Doesn’t it?

Stephen Wilcox