You belong here!

We expect you to show us proof of car insurance before you drive, proof that your car is registered when the police stop you for running a stop sign, and proof of a driver’s license. We need to see your proof of homeowners insurance when you get your government guaranteed mortgage, proof of your SAT scores in order to receive your government sponsored scholarships, proof that you live in Northern California in order to get your lowest price for a round of golf at the Harding Park golf course in San Francisco. And please show us your proof that you bought a home in order to get the tax credit from the federal government, proof of income, proof of birth when you get your social security number, and proof of state residence to get in-state tuition at the University of California.

Most importantly, please show us your proof of vaccination to get your dogs kenneled, proof of membership to shop at Costco, proof of address to enroll your child in the neighborhood public school. And you will be harassed unmercifully unless you can show your proof of installation to get your tax credit for your tax credit on your new solar panels. Of course we need your proof of the value of your donation to satisfy the IRS for your tax deduction and proof that you are old enough to buy cigarettes or alcohol at the store.

Don’t bother showing up unless you have proof that you are old enough to join the US military. And the owner will get shut down if he does not demand proof that you are old enough to play in a Nevada casino.

We require proof of your identification in order to fly on a commercial flight in the US. You must show an ID to check into a US hotel. You need to give your zip code when you try to use your credit card to buy gasoline.

And now we need proof of health insurance under Obama’s new health care legislation. We need a US passport to gain entry into Canada, proof of vaccination to enter grade school. And don’t think you will get to bat if you don’t have proof of age to play little league in the US.

We don’t trust you to tell the truth on these things but we are going to take your word that you are in the US legally.

You belong here and we don’t want to trouble you to show your identification.