German Politics: Workers' ID cards

The political situation here gets muddier by the day - at least for the clueless American.

It's not enough that the incoming Socialist finance Minister proposes privatizing the highways. Now the Socialists in Berlin want to introduce a mandatory proof of legality card for all workers in construction, restaurants, and cab-driving. The card will have to be worn at all times and will contain a computer chip containing crucial identifying information. The goal is to do something about the 70,000 illegally employed workers -- many but not all of them illegal aliens.

The Conservative Berliner Morgenpost is, not surprisingly, gleeful. Presumably it will be a while before journalists have to wear these lost-doggie chips as well.