In January, I moved to another state and discovered I had thrown out the wrong envelope of papers . I called home but the trashman had already picked up the trash can.

Without those papers and photo IDs, I soon discovered that I could not open a bank account, put utilities in my name, get a driver's license, register to vote, or pay my own bills (because I can't open a bank account and get checks.) I had to beg a doctor to accept me as a patient, without ID. I can't even start substitute teaching without a photo ID.

While I had my original birth certificate and old driver's licenses and passports in a scrap book, but the birth certificate is in my maiden name and the other stuff is expired, so they are worthless.

So I ordered a marriage certificate to show my married name. That was not enough either; I needed a current photo ID (a driver's license or DMV issued Real ID or passport) AND a social security card.

No, I do not have a current student ID, a Military ID, and my gun license was in the envelope I threw out.

I spent hours on hold with social security (trying to get a SS card.

Turns out, Social Security can't give me a new SS card, without my showing them a photo ID to prove I am who I say I am. No, even the old driver's licenses in my scrapbook are not enough - because they are expired and SS wants a current one.

I've worked on this every week, sending paperwork, on the phone, on hold, in lines, etc.

It is now July and I am still trying to get a photo ID.

I used to think showing a photo ID to vote was no big deal. The last 6 months changed my mind.

One thing else I learned was this. The idea that undocumented immigrants are getting all kinds of free stuff from the government is a bald faced lie. Any undocumented immigrant who has a job, is working for an employer who knows he is breaking the law - and not paying taxes.