The incremental recipe for national identity

BTC -  Latley the initial run to chill national identity by privacy and civil liberty advocates isn't enough to stop national identity from moving forward. The bureaucratic process tends to anchor plans within agencies like a parasitic vine growing slowly, choking the host [taxpayer].  The trend towards bureacratic handling is more fortuitous for contracts going forward without the formality of public opinion.

The post-op quandry we then face is simply "what's done is done."  Whether we want it or not. Why is it like that?

To answer simply: well, you paid for it...in taxes.   Rather, the feds paid for it or local government paid for it on the bully pulpit that a contractor may find ways to sue or to find plaintiff for NOT complying with federal law.  This isn't unique to national identity, of course.  It's how the business of surveillance is typically done, because Americans generally do not share the same vision the federal government does on this issue.  This tactic becomes defeated if local populaces can consistently document their dissent against the use of their local and federal dollars for these purposes.  This tenet can be applied to so many scenarios.  The people may so prevail, either by election or by public petition.  However - they also have to know what's going on.

It is always good when the government invites public input.  While it is visible to people with trained eyes - it often isn't visible to the people who care the most.  The hard work for advocates is to reach those most concerned in time allotted in order to document their concerns.

Programs like NSTIC may be moving at a snail's pace, but they are moving.   The matter of a budget is needed to consult makers of desired technologies initiating dances of delicate and non-specific natures.  That's the conventional recipe for the incremental adoption of any technology into government.  A small thing like regulations may be determined later.  Concretes are not distilled in "high concept" dealings, but one thing is clear - the people who understand NSTIC the most have not expressed any intent to continue public input. That would probably interrupt the shopping, the love gifts and the electioneering.

Recent history demostrates both the marketplace and public users have well documented views about mandated identity systems over its connection to compromised privacy [Example: World of Warcraft's Real ID system].  

Regardless...meetings are being held this week to discuss the future of NSTIC's national online identity "ecosystem".  The vision of a perfectly controlled online climate, free of the interference from bonafide public opinion can be maintained as long as you stay out of the way.