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by dzhiurgis 460 days ago
Obvious solution is for social security offices to issue Id’s if they are capable. Other one is delegating most of the function to banks.

But otherwise perhaps inconveniencing 0.1% of cases shouldn’t dictate the rules.

IMO this is prime example of self destructing empathy Musk has been parroting about.
1 comments
Volundr 460 days ago
> Obvious solution is for social security offices to issue Ids if they are capable.

I'm not sure what this solves, and as far as I'm aware it's not being done, so even if it's an "obvious solution" it's a moot point.

> Other one is delegating most of the function to banks.

Again I don't know what this means.

> IMO this is prime example of self destructing empathy Musk has been parroting about.

I'd say the opposite. We are talking inconveniencing everyone on social security not 0.1% and very likely wrongfully booting some off who fail to get the memo or are otherwise unable to meet the requirements. All to chase some hypothetical fraud that makes up 0.1% of the budget. The damage done is very likely to outweigh any savings.

I'm *very* interested in making government more efficient, and even more so rooting out fraud. But the cost of the effort has to be considered, and frankly I have yet to see DOGE do either of those things.

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dzhiurgis 459 days ago
Assuming 13% of adults in US don't have a drivers license that leaves with 33m people without driving license.

100m / 33m = $3 per person to issue a valid ID. Dunno how much an ID costs in USA, but over 10 years it would pay itself...

In reality the amount of people without some form of Id AND on benefit is at least an order of magnitude less.

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Volundr 459 days ago
Here in Idaho it's a minimum of $35 dollars for a 4-year (the shortest you can get). The cost may be higher or lower elsewhere. Now work out all the other costs of this effort (validating this stuff isn't free, getting caretakers to drive one to an office, damage done to people who don't get the memo or are unable to comply, etc) and you might be ready to work out if this particular plan is worth it.
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