My Objections to "Papers, Please"

If a police officer does not have probably cause to suspect that I have committed, or am engaged in committing, a crime, who I am is none of his damn beeswax.

If a police officer does have probable cause to suspect that I have committed, or am engaged in committing, a crime, I am under no obligation to assist in my own prosecution, including but not limited to revealing my identity to make it easier for him to investigate me.

I can see reasons to voluntarily produce "identification papers" for other purposes, of course, but those other people aren't government agents of any sort.

Handy Fact #3,129

Q: When did abuse of the IRS for political purposes begin?

A: July 1, 1862.

You're welcome.

N.B. Jim Bovard places the date somewhat later.

Glad ...

... I'm not this guy.