Why are Britons and Americans so paranoid about national ID cards?

Hong Kong? Aren't you under the auspices of the Chinese communist government? Let's say it goes against our grain, against our right to privacy and freedom. Why should the government want to trace our daily lives as if we are a bunch of terrorists? It seems as if the government is paranoid, not its people. It's more government interference in the lives of ordinary citizens. That makes it more dangerous. The US government also wants to know what books you checkout at the library. This is another step in line of more control and smacks of Biblical prophecy of the "mark of the beast" concepts. If you don't possess this "card" you will be unable to get a job, cash checks, conduct in commerce, etc. What other countries do is their internal business. As for the US, I think it's an intrusion.