Posted on 12/08/2004 1:43:16 PM PST by ManHunter
A Republican congressman is decrying the intelligence reform bill set to pass Congress today, saying it creates a de facto national ID-card system.
Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, says by establishing standards for state driver's licenses on a federal level, the government is setting up a national system that's "not proper in a free society."
The bill, which established a new cabinet-level national intelligence director and expands some law-enforcement powers, passed the House of Representatives last night 336-75 and is scheduled for a Senate vote today.
"This is America, not Soviet Russia," said the libertarian-leaning Paul in a statement. "The federal government should never be allowed to demand papers from American citizens, and it certainly has no constitutional authority to do so."
"A national identification card, in whatever form it may take, will allow the federal government to inappropriately monitor the movements and transactions of every American," Paul continued. "History shows that governments inevitably use such power in harmful ways. The 9-11 commission, whose recommendations underlie this bill, has called for internal screening points where identification will be demanded. Domestic travel restrictions are the hallmark of authoritarian states, not free nations. It is just a matter of time until those who refuse to carry the new licenses will be denied the ability to drive or board an airplane."
However, that's almost superfluous with our porous borders.
Kinda like a Social Security Card?
I wasn't gonna say it....;^)
bump
I'll play devil's advocate on three levels:
1) When you see illegal aliens going to Utah by the carload to get licenses, do you think there needs to be national standards to prevent such?
2) If we did have national ID cards, would it make it easier to round up and deport illegals (assuming that a miracle occurred and this country got the political will to do such), and
3) Would national standards for driver's licenses have any impact on preventing or at least hindering terrorism?
Which is (was) not to be used for the "purpose of identification"?
Euphemism alert. Good 'ol George...
How?
Problem is: he's cried wolf about 1000 times. Even now, he's making a very weak case.
I'm really having trouble on this issue. Of course, I share the fears that many have about national ID cards, like being tracked everywhere I go. On the other hand, I want secure elections where only nonfelon legal citizens can vote. How can we accomplish the goal of tightening up our election procedures, while still preserving the freedom of ordinary citizens?
So this bill established some standards for drivers licenses but one of those standards isn't that illegals can't get them.
Just peachy.
If you are a law abiding citizen, so what?
The only people that have anything to fear from this system are terrorist and illegals of many sorts.
If the average citizen had any idea what credit card companies have on them they'd sh*t.
I work in this community and I have no mixed feelings about it at all. It'll eventually be used for nefarious purposes, whether that is the present intent or not. And, given recent experience with trying to identify and deal with the REAL bad guys, anytime there is a perception that Muslims are being singled out to produce their "papers" there will be widespread outcry from the [yet-to-protest terrorism] Muslim community and CAIR, as well as a flurry of lawsuits, most of which they will win. The long-term result will be yet another blow to individual liberty.
Muleteam1
institutenational pings!
Not having seen even a draft of the legislation, it does expand some law enforcement powers and, I am told, they include the use of internal checkpoints when necessary. Those internal checkpoints, coupled with federally-mandated standards for the issuance of state identification/driver's licenses, are the essence of Mr. Paul's objections.
Ron Paul IS the taxpayers best friend and personally my favorite politician. Whatever your view on wether or not this bill makes the country safer, be sure of this it is creating a lot of taxpayer provided pork.
Precisely.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.