Smart Cards

Make no mistake. In a few years, we will have a national identification card.

Check out this article on the smart card. An excerpt from CSO:

The nuptials are set for Oct. 27, 2006. That's the day by which every agency in the U.S. government is supposed to be issuing smart cards that will marry physical access control and logical access control. The plan, mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD 12), is that all 5 million-plus federal employees and contractors eventually be given a common identification card that can be used anywhere and everywhere. At the front door of the federal building where the employee works. With single sign-on to computer systems. As part of three-factor authentication involving biometrics. On visits to headquarters or neighboring agencies.