Posted on 10/27/2007 2:50:24 PM PDT by xcamel
Gov. Spitzer announced on Saturday a new plan to offer three kinds of New York driver's licenses - a move that might quell fears about giving licenses to illegal immigrants, but also brought sharp criticism from both backers and opponents of his original idea.
Spitzer ran into powerful resistance when he proposed making driver's licenses available to undocumented immigrants - not only from Republican rivals but from voters.
Saturday, he announced a compromise deal with the Bush administration to create three kinds of licenses:
One document will comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, letting people drive and also cross the U.S.-Canada border without a passport.
A second driver's license, also only available to citizens and legal immigrants, will meet the security requirements of the federal Real ID Act and can be used for boarding planes.
The third will be a basic state license only for driving, available to citizens, legal immigrants and undocumented aliens.
"We're on our way to offering to New Yorkers the option of three secure licenses to drive and travel in this state, in this country and throughout the Western Hemisphere," Spitzer said at Homeland Security Department headquarters.
Appearing with Spitzer, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said the enhanced licenses "address our concerns," but also made it crystal-clear - four times - that he's less than thrilled at the illegal immigrant component.
"I do not endorse and I do not think it's a good idea to give undocumented workers [driver's] licenses or IDs of any kind," Chertoff said.
Spitzer's announcement brought a sharp response from his top Republican rival, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer), who said the governor "is still not listening to the millions of New Yorkers, and their elected representatives from both sides of the aisle, who want him to pull the plug on his ill-advised plan, not just make some changes."
And the New York Civil Liberties Union, which cheered Spitzer's original plan, attacked him Saturday for a "stunning lack of courage," saying the governor had "bowed to fear-mongering and turned New York into a poster child for the Bush administration's assault on civil liberties."
Team Spitzer offered up an endorsement from Assemblyman Philip Ramos (D-Suffolk), who said the plan "will bring millions of people out of the shadows while strengthening our national security at the same time."
Spitzer can now go back to helping terrorists other ways. ... it is his way.
This Spitzer puke is just as bad. Guy doesn't care about the security of the United States. "W" should lock him up for the duration.
Illegals to deserve a license ... the license to pack up and go HOME.
As for Spitoon err Spitzer... he’s starting to make MARIO the PIUS seem almost sensible ... ALMOST
Just another way to add Dem voters to the rolls.
It will be legal for illegals to vote.
So instead of the whole enchilada they’ll get it a bite at a time.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10222007/news/regionalnews/elex_bigs_fear_fraud_in_gov_li.htm
POLS FEAR VOTING FRAUD IN SPITZER’S LICENSE PLAN
By KENNETH LOVETT, Post Correspondent
October 22, 2007 — ALBANY - State election officials are worried that Gov. Spitzer’s plan to allow illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses will make it difficult for them to catch people voting illegally.
“There has been concern,” state Board of Elections spokesman Lee Daghlian told The Post.
While it is up to the local boards of election to determine who is eligible to vote, it is rare that election officials check into a person’s legal status, particularly if they have identifying information on their voter-registration form like a driver’s license or the last four digits of a Social Security number, Daghlian said.
In order to register, a person must sign an affidavit stating that they are an American citizen.
“You assume that people don’t lie, and that’s what the form says,” Daghlian said. “It’s an affidavit you sign under penalty of perjury.”
But Daghlian concedes, “Nobody checks it” to determine its validity.
At the polls, voters are asked to show some form of photo ID, like a driver’s license, to prove their identity, Daghlian said. (more story at link)
Spitzer is as effective as Hillary in Healthcare. He needs to be voted out of office!
illegals voting...a payback to the piaps!!!!
Ain’t no cure for Spitzer, just quarantine him!
**At the polls, voters are asked to show some form of photo ID, like a driver’s license, to prove their identity,**
I’ve never had to show a Photo ID to vote in NY ... but then, in My County in NY... a Registered Republican is not considered a THREAT ... (maybe 2 dozen of us)
I DID have to show a photo ID in Backwards, Hillbilly ARKANSAS... go figger
That's what a driver's license SHOULD be!!! A license to _drive_, not a virtual passport, not a national ID, not even an "I'm old enough to buy beer" ID - JUST FOR DRIVING.
No matter how he spins it,,,,spitzer STILL belongs in jail.
There can be NO COMPROMISE Oon this.
“So instead of the whole enchilada they’ll get it a bite at a time.”
Old fashioned INCREMENTALISM!
ALWAYS works!
The sheeple are too stupid to see it!
“The third will be a basic state license only for driving, available to citizens, legal immigrants and undocumented aliens.”
The third one will have a Taco Bell coupon printed on the back.
I’m betting that one wont be a big seller.
People shouldn’t compromise with swine like this. He needs to be spat upon.
Now he will get his second lesson in good government.
No one believes that giving any type of State or Federal ID to an illegal immigrant is good government. Government’s job is the identify, apprehend and deport them.
I live in rural Tennessee. Last year, for the first time, I had to show ID when I voted. All states need to issue, and require, photo ID voter registration cards.
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