Warp wrote:
>   Distrust in the government and the government knowing all citizens are
> not mutually exclusive things.

Somewhat true. I don't want to Godwin the thread, but it *has* been abused 
in the past when things went horribly wrong. :-)

>   It would be rather difficult, and foolish, to try to have a child
> without the government knowing. (It would be foolish because you would
> be forgoing child support, tons of free services, and making your child's
> life a nightmare later.)

Sure. That doesn't mean the government knows where that kid is living 30 
years later and how to get in touch with her. Adults are paying taxes, kids 
have to get vaccines to go to school, etc.

However, we have a rather compartmentalized government here. The state 
government knows what kids are born and going to school, the federal 
government knows who is paying federal taxes, and the counties 
(approximately city-sized areas for cities, or large for rural areas) are 
the ones responsible for collecting people for juries.

The government knows John Smith was born 30 years ago. They don't 
necessarily know he's homeless in San Diego right now.

-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   Forget "focus follows mouse." When do
   I get "focus follows gaze"?

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