Way to go Patriot Act!! Keeping those terra-ists like my fiancee

[malmapus]

from getting a bank account.

So yesterday, she finally decides to get a new bank account opened up since she started working again.

Turns out that none of the usual IDs that she had counted (except for her drivers license). The bank lady said this was due to the Patriot Act, that she needed to have a credit card with an expiration date, or a passport, SS cards seem to be no good anymore for ID.

I said a big thanks to Bush, funny thing was nobody in the bank cared to defend our glorious leader.

Pretty sad state of affairs when someone who was born in this country can't get a simple thing as a bank account opened unless they buy a passport (was funny cause my fiancee kept saying "well I don't go anywhere why do I need one!!?? I wasn't in the Army!!" I about cracked up at that last part cause only reason I did have a passport was from being in the service.

Also thought it was funny that credit cards are good as ID, like our govt is trying to make us get one in a sort of way.

I can't even have her co-sign on my account since she can not prove that she is herself in the eyes of America.

So now we're plopping down the $65 to get her a passport (thanks again Bush since we could of used that money for something else).


But yeah, there's the almighty Patriot Act at work keeping America safe from lower middle income mothers who want to open a bank account!!

[BiggJawn]

1. If all she has is a DL....

You better hope she doesn't lose that. In a LOT of states now (including wonderful Mauve Indiana)
If you lose your license and need a duplicate, you need about 10 pieces of OTHER ID. Birth certificate, utility bill, credit card statement, hign school transcript, yearbook picture (?) passport, work ID Government picture ID....
Big fucking hassle.

And that was PRE Ashcroft!

[malmapus]

3. Yeah she has the usual suspects

I was really surprised that SS card didn't count as it always never let me down before (I made a habit of carrying it on me as ID with my DL as a second form of ID).

I was good though since it was a bank (apart from the "thanks Bush!"), I kinda went off at a video store when they wanted like 10 forms of ID and a credit check (I asked if they needed a blood or urine sample too before storming out).

[Left Is Write]

7. I recommend *not* carrying around your SS card!

It may not be good enough to open a bank account, but it's good enough for an identity thief to wreak havoc with your life and your finances. Please put it in a secure place and don't carry it around with you.

[malmapus]

11. hehe yeah, I keep it in our files at home now =)

I forgot where I got in the habit of carrying it with me, want to say the Army since I always did after I got out.

I did luck out that never lost it lol :)

[MissWaverly]

2. You should both write your senator

stress that you served in the army and your fiancee want to open a bank account to save money & could not do so with a drivers license and a social security card, I think that the Patriot Act was passed in the meltdown after 9-11, I don't think people are aware how it can affect the lives of everyday citizens. E-mail them that's what I do! And I would e-mail Rep. Sensen-nobrainer that too, after all he helped write
the Patriot Act and then he closed down the hearing on its abuses.


F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
(R-5th/Wi)
e-mail [e-mail]
Chair, Judiciary Committee/and he's also on Homeland Security Committee

[malmapus]

4. Thats a good idea

lol I did some writing yesteday, I wrote everyone I knew offhand that voted for * (her two sisters and a few of my relatives) and saying what happened and thanking them for supporting the administration that put this into effect.

EDIT: Boxer is my Senator, haven't written her before (always called)..whats the proper way to address a Senator? Will write dumb ass cry baby that storms out of a session too and let him know.

[MissWaverly]

5. our only hope is to speak out

You and your fiancee are two constituents, we must reframe the debate,
as long as it's terror, terror, terror who would be against rounding up thugs who want to blow up this country, it's not about that, it never has been about that, it's about taking basic liberties away from every day citizens who deserve them.

[Ilsa]

8. I'm pretty certain it is "The Honorable Senator..." eom

[malmapus]

12. Thanks! eom

..

[NV Whino]

6. you need a birth certificate for a passport

If you have her birth certificate (or a notarized copy), that should suffice for the bank in lew of the passport.

[malmapus]

9. Yeah but its crazy that you need to get a passport now

Neither of us plan on leaving the country (well Canada is looking better everyday), so that money to get one is a waste. We're really pretty straped for cash and come out each month by the skin of our teeth.

[NV Whino]

13. That's what I'm saying...

Why do you need a passport when the passport relies on the birth certificate. I think you could take the bc to the bank and skip the passport. Talk to the bank manager, not just a teller.

[malmapus]

18. Will give that a try, with the BC..eom

..

[theearthisround]

10. Don't worry illegal immigrants can with their Matricula Consular!

[dkofos]

14. Have you tried the local credit union??

[malmapus]

16. Actually no, might give them a whirl...thanks! eom

..

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. Well, maybe the IRS won't take her money since she's not a "patriot".

[malmapus]

17. not a "patriot"

LOL I gotta remember to tell her that when I get home, she'd kick my ass. :)

A lot of people have magnets that say "Support the Troops" and thats as far as they go. She walks the walk and helps pack care packages even with our slim budget we do what we can.

But yeah as far as the Patriot Act is concerned, she's un-American heh