[August]

A drivers license was created to ensure a motorist is qualified to operate the vehicle. The license card, just like any other license, membership or other ID card, is created to be a holders proof of that qualification to show to those who need to know that it exists.

Now it has become much more than that, including a general internal passport to travel on public transportation, a permission slip to purchase things and what you show when the authorities demand that you "show us your papers!".

Same thing with social security numbers. They were originally intended to be like a bank account number, semi private and used only for purposes of administering the ss system.

It has now become a general person numbering system and is used for everything from credit card applications to gym memberships to a soldiers serial number, as in "only give your name, rank, Social Security number, and date of birth to the enemy if captured". Uses that had nothing to do with the social security system and which it was specifically promised not to be used for when the system was first introduced.