National ID Cards for U.S. Citizens - What for?

Michael Arrington blogged that Microsoft, Yahoo, Red Hat, and AOL are urging the REAL ID Act of 2005. This Act will require citizens to go out of there way to attain the National ID Card by proof of Social Security, ID Number, and/or another proof of identification. Thus, making a standardized form of identification throughout the 50 United States. In a sense it gives the governement more control of its citizens which may be a good thing, yet if one was to get hold of this information, they would, in turn, also be in control. It's not as safe to say that your information couldn't be hacked by anyone these days.

The whole program would be about $17 billion of which each prior company would benefit in one way or another. It seems odd why they would be urging for the immediate funding of the Act because of profit related situations, for they each are already multi-million/billion dollar industries. As many as 17 States have already passed laws in which prohibit the implementation of the ID cards, some asking Congress to revisit the issue.

And although the ID cards would be on a National scale, it definitely does not make it plausable that they cannot be replicated. We already have Driver License and DMV ID cards, it would seem very chaotic to always carry three forms of ID in you pocket at all times.