Article: Now government wants proof you're not a terrorist when buying a car

When a 90-year old wheelchair bound granny or a sobbing, 3-year old girl present the same potential threat level to the State as a 23-year old male from Yemen, something has gone horribly wrong with America's internal security apparatus.

Now this type of systemic failure is being introduced into the world of commerce. Some people are beginning to wonder just who are the more effective terrorists: al-Qaeda or...

2011's brave new world

The rules that are set to be enforced starting 2011 will directly impact any American consumer seeking to finance a vehicle, house, townhouse, condominium, commercial property, or even a major appliance. The mandated rule also applies to any that hope to make payments on furniture, jewelry, loans on stock transactions...even medical services.

Your personal information must be provided: Social Security number, documented birth date (there's a possibility of having to produce a certified birth certificate), as well as answering questions from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not expected to become involved and for good reason--supposedly undocumented immigrants (a.k.a. aliens that illegally invaded the U.S.) may be exempt from these rules under the non-military federal version of "don't ask - don't tell."

One strike and you're out

Presumably 5 questions will be asked. If not answered satisfactorily in the judgment of unseen, unknowable bureaucrats, the you will be denied the purchase. You may also face fines, prosecution and federal jail time.

How does this help Maytag market its washers and dryers?

Questions could entail anything and must be answered at the time of purchase. Some of the queries may include your previous addresses, former telephone area codes, or even the names of other people in your household. If you can't remember a detail or erroneously answer one of the questions federal authorities will launch a criminal investigation against you.

Are you sure you want to purchase that new dining room set on time?

Some businesses already comply with the rules. Although they'll not affect you until 2011, the penalties and fines already apply to certain companies.

As you read this, American business is already being threatened with civil penalties and will be forced to make restitution on purchases if the transaction does not abide by the arbitrary rules imposed by DHS.

Starting 2011, those civil penalties will be ramped up to threats of imprisonment. Not following federal edicts during a sale of a dishwasher will be considered a federal offense.

According to independent security firms, the vast bulk of identity theft actually occurs on the Internet, not in finance transactions or at retail stores. These security experts believe the federal government has stepped way over the line.

Welcome to the 21st Century, where the government will now stare over your shoulder when you buy a new refrigerator.

Original Helium article.

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