In Martin Anderson’s 1988 book, Revolution, about the Reagan Revolution and Marty’s role in things, Marty tells an interesting story about illegal immigration. On July 6, 1981, the Task Force on Immigration and Refugee Policy met at the White House. Marty was there. Attorney General William French Smith proposed sanctions against employers who hire illegal aliens. He also proposed introducing national ID cards so that employers know who is legal and who is not.
Marty was stunned.
He writes:
Such cards are essential tools for totalitarian states. Because before a government can actually start managing your life, it has to know who you are, where you are, and it can’t demand proof of your existence anywhere it encounters you. Because it has to be. Apply for a job, move to a different address, walk down the street. Without a national identification system, it is very difficult for a small number of people to control a large society. Having one makes it much easier.
Marty goes on to explain how having such a national ID gradually becomes normal.
He noted that Smith gave an impeccable presentation and persuaded various members of the Cabinet. Marty was seated “a few feet behind the attorney general, in one of the soft leather seats along the back wall reserved for senior White House staff.”
President Reagan looked around the room for comment and found none. Marty did not want to be part of the government that introduced national ID cards. And if he feels passionate about speaking out, so be it. So Marty broke an unwritten rule and raised his hand. Reagan noticed him and said, “Yes, Marty.”
Marty pointed out that such a card would cost billions of dollars. But people didn’t seem to care about that: “By that time, $1 billion or $2 billion wasn’t something anyone in the Cabinet cared about.” [DRH note: federal spending in FY1981 was $657 billion.]
So Marty took another tack.
“I’d like to suggest another method that I think is better. It’s much cheaper. You can’t fake it. It’s very light. It’s also waterproof.”
“All we have to do is tattoo an identification number on the inside of everyone’s arm.”
When Marty spoke, several people gasped, followed by a long silence. Later, Home Secretary James Watt said:
“Somehow, it sounds to me like we’re talking about the mark of the beast. That sounds awful.”
Many of the people around the table looked confused. Reagan wasn’t like that. I recognized the Biblical reference to Revelation 13:16-18.
Regan looked straight at Smith, smiled widely and joked.
Maybe we should brand all babies.
This led to the abolishment of national ID cards in 1981.
Note: This is from the King James Bible that I read as a child.
16 And he caused everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and bound, to have a seal placed on their right hand or on their forehead. 17 And no one could buy or sell except those who had the mark. Or the name of the beast, or the number of its name. 18 There is wisdom here. Let him who has understanding count the number of the beasts. Because that’s the number of humans. His number is 603 score 6.
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