Posted on 03/19/2002 8:35:14 AM PST by chance33_98
MARCH 2002
New Mexico To Test Smart Card Driver’s License
New Mexico aims to become the first state to issue a smart card driver’s license and plans to offer space on the chip to credit card issuers and other service providers. Once the state verifies the identity of the individual, other application providers “would know pretty well the person who has that card,” says Keith Perry, deputy director of the Motor Vehicles Division of the state’s Department of Revenue. He says the license-holder would have the option to add other features to the smart card, such as emergency medical data or a program that would disarm a home security system, Perry says. While New Jersey and Utah backed off plans for chip-based driver’s licenses in recent years following protests over privacy concerns, Perry says the New Mexico plan should avoid such protests by giving the individual control over applications on the card. There have been no protests to date, Perry says, but he notes that the project has not been widely publicized. He says the agency plans to host a meeting next week with potential partners and hopes to get agreement on a test of a multiapplication smart card. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, which represents driver’s license officials in the United States and Canada, has prepared legislation likely to go to the U.S. Congress this month, mandating uniform standards for driver’s licenses across the 50 U.S. states. Currently, there are more than 200 formats for driver’s licenses and other state-issued ID cards. Smart cards are one of the technologies under consideration for a proposed standardized driver’s license. Perry says New Mexico will go along with whatever is mandated nationally, but plans to add a chip if there is not already one specified in the standard driver’s license. (3-8)
Banks won't be far behind folks. And no, you won't have to carry it. Nah, not unless you want to eat.
I thought any activated "smart" ID would soon see credit companies line up to tie into it's wonderful abilities. Here I see the grand state of New Mexico has facilitated that option for them. Wouldn't you know it.
When people complain about government intrusion I get a bit of a chuckle because they have given away any privacy they had to corporations. Now the gubmint might sell our information via ldrivers licenses, as they already do with our med records and the like. Taxes next? The corporate fascist state may be coming, not because of public ferment, but because it's profitable.
So if your ID is lost or stolen whoever has your card would have access to your home also?? your bank account?? your medical records??? your criminal background???
In addition, I will be speaking to a group of leaders of legislatures across the country, in Las Vegas early next month on the same subject.
To boil all that stuff down to a few sentences, here it is: I agree with those who say that imposition of a national ID card by Congress is unconstitutional. However, having read all the Supreme Court decisions dealing with use of "war powers," I strongly doubt that the Court will strike it down, if Congress gets panicked into passing it.
The only way I see to avoid a National ID card is for the states, acting separately but talking to each other, pass laws tightening the security of their individual drivers licenses (and state ID cards for those, such as the blind or elderly, who cannot obtain drivers licenses). I emphasize that I am talking about the state legislators who are elected to deal with policy issues doing this -- not unelected bureaucrats who do not answer to the voters for what they do.
If the organizations I am working with succeed, you'll be hearing about it in the press in a matter of about two months. If we fail, then you are probably right. We will get stuck with a National ID card, and the Court will say Uh-huh.
Congressman Billybob
Pick up the phone and make your purchase. Drive to the local business of your choice and use the card. Don't want to take the funds out of your bank, simply ask the merchant to use your credit option number 1, 2, 3, 4... or whatever.
This card is the beginnning of the end for many things. It will be sold as the end of counterfeiting and the blossoming of a new era where you will no longer need to carry something that can be stolen, cash. The card can prove you're a citizen. It can make sure that only registered people vote. It could even impact illegal immigration, since we could eliminate their ability to conduct commerce unless they were here legally. The marketing is going to be very powerful. Most will accept it. Many on this very forum already have.
No, cash won't disappear over night. But unlike you, I believe it will. And I don't think it will take very long.
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