The birth certificate let's us know a new person was born. Surely there is some good in knowing that. My mind goes to the worst case scenario where there are some parents who would objectively abuse and/or neglect their children, and the state should step in to protect the rights of the children. Without the record that a child exists, those welfare checks wouldn't happen.
Likewise with social security numbers and tax administration. We can make a good number of arguments for how taxation should or should not occur, but I think society is more fair when all of the rules are applied equally to everyone.
Isn't there some kernel of good in there though?
The birth certificate let's us know a new person was born. Surely there is some good in knowing that. My mind goes to the worst case scenario where there are some parents who would objectively abuse and/or neglect their children, and the state should step in to protect the rights of the children. Without the record that a child exists, those welfare checks wouldn't happen.
Likewise with social security numbers and tax administration. We can make a good number of arguments for how taxation should or should not occur, but I think society is more fair when all of the rules are applied equally to everyone.