Identity Crisis

On Tuesday the Senate voted 90-5 to approve a bill that will make it tougher for credit card issuers to raise fees and interest rates starting early next year. The bill now goes to the House, which is expected to take it up on Wednesday and pass it before the weekend. This legislation has been prompted by irrational credit card charges and the theft of identification leading to the purchases of items through convenient theft.  Identification theft has become one of the most common crimes and it is reported there is a case of ID theft every thirty-two seconds.

The last two graduation addresses I gave, the following statement was publicized more than anything else: “Most everything can be stolen from you these days, including your identity. But the one thing that no one can steal from you is your education, your life experiences stored in your brain cells, your personal relationship with your creator, these things cannot be stolen from you. But someone, right now, is making arrangements to steal, even your good name, from you.”

In my advanced age, totally blind, it is not easy for me to do much, but I did put into a zip bag 59 credit cards which had been sent to me in 2008. I have possessed a credit card for many years. I only use it for expenses when I want to make sure that I have a record for tax purposes or perhaps in case of dispute. For instance, yesterday I had the oil changed in my car. I always use the credit card for any automobile work. There is always a chance that work was not done correctly. Have you ever heard of the oil plug not being installed correctly and the oil running out? You always have a better chance of dispute when you use a credit card. I made the attached picture when I sent the fifty-nine credit cards to the NC attorney general and I sent photos to federal trade officials. I explained to these bureaucrat's, who should know, that theft and the madness of trying to straighten out this type thievery would only escalate until law enforcement, government and commerce comes to their senses about these things.

One of the greatest problems with credit cards, a problem which has received much publicity, are late charges. Credit card companies make more money on interest charges, late charges than they do for their normal fees. Interest on credit cards can run as high as twenty-five percent. Some with several cards will max out each card and then make the minimum payment on each. With the interest charges, you will never pay off your credit card. The total credit card debt in the United States is $962 billion dollars. The average U.S. college graduate begins his or her post-college days with more than $2,000 in credit card debt. The median credit card debt in America is $3,000 and number of cards held is two.

One of my employees, Eric, payed thirty-two dollars a month on his credit card bill. One month his check was one day late getting to the company. His minimum payment was thirty-two dollars, his late payment fine was thirty-four dollars, and he payed interest on the entire amount which he owed. The credit card is the scourge of America, but when you think of the money owed on credit cards, think of the money you owe your government which has overused its credit card. A baby born in the hospital this morning, already is in debt $45,000.

I can remember the very first credit card I ever saw. It belonged to a fellow military officer and he explained to me that this would be the new system of doing business. I can still remember what I said, “It seems to me that this is the easiest way in the world for someone to steal from you once they steal your card. They don’t have to steal your card only your ID number on the card.” These cards are sent to everyone, children, unemployed, people in bankruptcy. I had one university student who worked for me for only one day who stole my ID , password, etc, and went to ordering thing, online, using my name and credit information but having the deliveries made to his address. This shows, if nothing else, just how smart college students are these days.

Character determines destination. One's character is easily defined by his reputation, his credit score, the value of his good name of doing business in his community. Many people “just don’t care” and law enforcement does not put a high priority on this type crime. But, believe me, it can cause you much grief in trying to get such identity thievery straightened out. I do not believe that young people understand the importance of their credit report... when getting a job, obtaining a mortgage, and certainly government employment. Many times in the scripture we are told you will reap what you sow. There is nothing more definite in earthly existence than knowing that if you sow corn you will get corn, wheat you will get wheat, alfalfa you will get alfalfa. If, you have poor credit scores, you can be sure you will reap what you have sown.

In the scripture, the Samaritans were a mixed race resulting from Assyrians mixing with the inhabitants of Israel.  I will not go into the history of the prejudices involved but our blessed Lord met a Samaritan women at a well, at noon, when she had come to draw water and through a drink of cold water, He disclosed her identity. (John 4)  On another occasion, a similar situation, (John 8) a women was brought to Him having been caught in the very act of adultery.  It is strange that the man was not brought along.  But in the judgment of casting stones, He wrote on the ground certain words which we do not know but which were probably described her accusers.  In revealing their true identity, He said, “He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.”  Her accusers left, the oldest first, and Jesus established Himself as redeemer when He forgave her sin. 

In an effort to control this crisis in identity, your photograph is usually shown on driver licenses and passports.  But even this can be a source of confusion because age and other identifying characteristics can change.  I remember, many years ago when I could see, seeing a photograph of my grandparents and I knew something about their age at the time, under 50, and they both looked extremely old.  Today, with hair color, contact lenses and even cosmetic surgery, photographs mean little. 

When DNA was discovered by Watson and Kreig, in 1953 while I was still in university, I thought the mystery of identity was forever settled.  Every cell, of the trillions of cells in your body possess a DNA molecule which contains enough genetic information on you coming from your mother and father, to fill thousands of pages.  We should never forget this heritage as we exact our true identity, but more important is our identity as a child of God, our relationship with Jesus Christ, the most important identification in the world. 

Many people want to be identified by special markings.  The Catholic priests, wearing a roman collar, married couples, wearing wedding bands, but identification, or special markings should not determine how we treat one another.  The person who rides the public bus to church should be just as important in the eyes of church members as the person who drives the Mercedes.  “God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34) 

In this time of identity crisis, just as important as the protection of our identity for personal security and business purposes (I don't believe young people know the dangers involved in Facebook and other exposures on the internet. Remember that our identity as the bearer of the good name of Christ, is the most important thing in life. His faith, his justice, his honor, is at stake in our every action.