" jls" wrote in message
...
And he asks this nosy, meddlesome affront to the Constitution on your
application for a third class medical.

Here's the question: Do you have a history of nontraffic convictions
(misdeameanors or felonies)? And take a look at the intrusive question
next to it. Then ask yourself wtf that information has to do with a
third
class medical. Oh, and by the way, the Social Security Act specifically
guarantees that the social security number is for social security and
social
security ONLY.

That is a myth. The Social Security Act never has said such a thing. At one
time Social Security cards had the warning "Not to be used for
identification" printed on them, but that was not because it was illegal. It
was because anyone could get a Social Security card with any name they
wanted printed on it. You could get more than one Social Security number if
you wanted it, each one with a different name. Also, the cards were easily
duplicated at any print shop and there was no law against counterfeiting
Social Security cards. Hence they were useless as identification. Newer
cards are harder to duplicate and no longer bear the warning that they are
not to be used as ID.

A series of executive orders dating back to the earliest days of Social
Security have required that all Federal government agencies use your Social
Security number as a single identification number. The IRS took a long time
to comply with the requirement, but eventually fell into line with everyone
else. The current FAA practice of issuing a pilot certificate number that is
not your SSN actually required an executive order releasing the FAA of this
obligation.

There is also no Constitutional prohibition against anyone asking about your
criminal record for any purpose. At one time pilot certificates were
required to be issued only to persons of "good moral character." Things
could get a lot worse. The FAA could stop asking about your criminal history
and various states and municipalities could then demand that you get a
thorough background check before getting a pilot certificate.

No court has ever held that you have an unlimited right to conceal your
criminal history or go through life without a SSN. In fact, the thirteenth
amendment specifically states that your Constitutional rights may be duly
revoked as a punishment for crimes. You may even be legally enslaved. The
ninth amendment is the basis (rightly or wrongly) for many important
rulings, including the right to privacy, the right to an abortion, the right
to travel, and the right to be informed of your rights when you are
arrested. The courts have consistently held that none of the enumerated
rights nor any other right 'found' by the courts are absolute. All rights
have certain limitations attached to them. Hence the right to bear arms does
not include a right to possess nuclear weapons, you may not shout 'fire' in
a movie theater when there is no fire, you are restricted in your right to
publish defamatory statements, your religious practices may not include
polygamy, human sacrifice or cannibalism, etc.

On a related issue, the courts have also held that paying your taxes is not
punishment for a crime, hence filing a tax return is not testifying against
yourself. Similarly, applying for a pilot or medical certificate is not
punishment for a crime, so filling out the application is not testifying
against yourself. You are, of course, free to express your disagreement with
the courts, but you are obligated as a citizen to obey the law of the land
while you enjoy the privileges, protections and security of those laws.

As penance for your rant, you are hereby required to tattoo your SSN on your
forehead and the palm of your hand. You also need to set up an appointment
with your doctor so that he can implant your microchip.