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Friday, March 28, 2008
Real ID Act heroes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Only three states — Maine, New Hampshire and South Carolina — continue to hold out against the pressure and threats by the federal government as it tries to force 100% of the states to comply with the Real ID Act. These three states are true heroes.
The Real ID Act for the first time in our history establishes a national identification card, by forcing the states to create and issue only driver’s license meeting precise federal standards, and linking all state databases together for the federal government to access. A number of states have objected to the cost and inconvenience posed by the program (every person wishing to have a driver’s license under the Real ID Act would have to apply for a new one), and to the privacy-invasive nature of the process; but only these three states have refused to comply or to beg the federal government for an extension.
The Department of Homeland Security is threatening that no citizen of any state refusing to comply or which has not begged for extra time, will be able to use their current driver’s license for any “federal purpose,” such as airport security or access to a federal courthouse or Social Security or Veterans Affairs office.
At least there are governors in three states (plus Montana, whose governor refused to comply, but who was granted an extension anyway), who still possess backbone and an understanding of federalism. They deserve our support.
