This is not directly related to the major topics of discussion I've seen here, but it still seems important in any case.

What do anons think of "security measures" that ironically make us much less secure? For example, consider driver licenses. Common sense suggests that making a person pass a driving test in order to drive a car without supervision would prevent people with poor skills from driving cars.

However, the process and fees, plus incoherent enforcement actually mean that the driver license process in the US makes citizens more vulnerable rather than less. In my state bank records are now gathered and held by the state, I guess for REAL ID or some such. If the state doesn't like you they have access to your banking information!

Also, since illegal immigrants can frequently get the right to vote via the driver license process and since illegal immigrant drivers who commit driving crimes often get off the hook American drivers are scrutinized by and subsidizing a system that does not have our interests in mind.

What would happen if obtaining a driver license was eliminated, but people could be sued or held criminally liable for accidents? What if drivers under the age of 18 could only drive if their parents or guardians were willing to accept the liability for the underage driver or were willing to make sure the minor was insured?

Why do we have elaborate bureaucracies that incur huge costs, imply that they "help" us yet, ironically victimize us more than if we were simply left alone?

To be honest, the fees for licenses I noticed were not especially egregious, but the collection of data and other aspects of the licensing process are, in my opinion. I thought the comment in my screen cap about workers possibly not providing accurate information was interesting to say the least.

http://fiscalpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/List-of-Driver-License-Fees-by-State.pdf