I think we are being programmed.

When a programmer begins to write a piece of software, one of the
first things done is the "dimensions" statement. This statement
(actually a collection of many statements) is put at the very
beginning of the "code." In this section, all the variables that
are going to be used in the program are defined here. Text;
strings; dates; numbers; formula, etc are all declared, defined,
formalized, associated, restricted, and "placed into the field of
allowable players." 

In the course of conducting our day to day business we are told
"this call may be monitored for quality assurance or training
purposes." When we buy something we are asked for our name,
address and "zip code," even when we pay by "cash." The
ubiquitous "registration card" in everything we buy promises us
the world if we would just fill in the card and send it in. 
Of course we are all familiar with the "Price Club" or "Sams"
cards, which is checked when we enter the store, when we attempt
to pay for the merchandise and again when we leave the store.*
Now the drug store I use has their own "discount" card, as does
the music store, the grocery store and of course, the video
store. In all cases we are "given" the card in "exchange" for
information. Information that is then linked to that card, and
sorted, categorized, prioritized, processed, and packaged. If you
are so unfortunate to be pulled over by a traffic cop, you are
asked for your "drivers license, registration and proof of
insurance." With my gasoline credit card bill came an offer for
an "important papers" wallet. It was complete with special
pockets for my registration papers and insurance card. All
enclosed in a "handsome simulated leather" wallet that is shown
to fit beautifully in my glove box. They had another shorter,
more direct phrase for it in Germany during the 40's: "Your
papers please." How many times have you been asked for your
Social Security number for an activity that had nothing what-so-
ever to do with the social security agency or an alleged tax
liability? I was filling out a "drawing" for some free prize at a
show I was attending, and right on the entry form was a place for
a "social security number." Of course the explanation is that the
"winner" may have a tax liability from the value of the prize. Do
you think they will delete the number from their database for all
the non-winners? I said, "Let's see how my luck is before I let
you peek under my skirt." 

Now I'm not arguing the use of the information or the merits of
discount cards. You can decide that for yourself. What I'm
talking about is the "conditioning" of people. The implimentation
of certain behavior modifiers and restrictions on the people that
look benign or "reasonable" in one sense, but in reality the true
purpose is hidden from view. So when the next latest method to
restrict our rights comes out, they can point to one of the above
examples and say, "They've been doing it for years and no one has
complained" as a justification for further intrusion into our
lives. To give you a feel for how this works in today's legal
climate, consider the following... In the landmark Supreme Court
case, VERNONIA**  which upheld a schools drug testing program,
the court considered the case of football players being force to
submit to drug testing. They reasoned that by playing football
(an after school activity) the players had given up their
"expectation of privacy" (because, among other things, they use a
community shower, toilet, etc.) and therefore could not refuse to
take a "pee test." Keep that reasoning in the back of your head
every time someone asks you a personal question or you want to
participate in some activity that might later come back to
"haunt" you. I'd recommend reading the case for an education on
where we are in this "expectation of privacy" issue. (More on
this "expectation of privacy" later.)

Back to our programmer. After he or she completes the dimensions
statement, he or she is then free to start writing the code that
will dictate how the data is managed, manipulated, and processed.
The important point I'd like to make here, is that in the
program, if the facts are not in the dimension statement, it does
not exist. Now for some of us, that's a perfectly acceptable
alternative. But for many people, especially those starting out
their lives, this "submit or disappear" option is not a very
appealing choice. However, it's important to understand, if you
do "submit" you may be able to "play the game" but you will be
playing by the rules which the programmer makes up. Thus, you may
be playing in the game, but you will have no say in your role in
the game.

I'd also like to point out several other examples of our society
giving up this "expectation of privacy" that at some time in the
future some judge is going to use to justify the loose of that
right: Social Security Number on your drivers license and
countless other documents; the requirement of a "thumb print" on
checks to cash them; the acceptance of "implied consent" that you
agree to waive your fifth amendment right and submit to breath,
urine and blood tests. Currently that last one is only being used
for DUI and AIDS issues. It will expand. But the State is going
to use all these, and many more examples to justify a what will
come to be a complete loss of all liberties.


*For those who think the check at the door leaving is to prevent
theft or make sure we have everything we paid for, I've got news
for you. First of all, I've tested this theory to determine if
it's accurate or not, and I'm here to tell you, that's bull. I've
left with things I didn't pay for and paid for things I didn't
have in my basket. They are not using the check for the purposes
stated. 

**VERNONIA SCHOOL DIST. 47J v. ACTON, ___ U.S. ___ (1995) 
(http://caselaw.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&i
nvol=U10263)