Several States Seek To Kill Federal 'Real ID' Requirements

FOXNews.com ^ | 2-1-2007 | Kelley Beaucar Vlahos

[7jason]

WASHINGTON — Risking broad penalties for their residents, lawmakers in several states are fighting implementation of the Real ID Act, a federal measure that seeks to prevent non-compliant cardholders from boarding airplanes or entering federal facilities.

Opponents say national standards for drivers' licenses would be a costly creep into the arms of big brother. Supporters say it is intended to protect Americans' from fraud and potentially terror-related crimes.

"We don't want it, we can't afford it, get rid of it," said Montana Democratic state Rep. Brady Wiseman, who authored the bill ordering the state not to participate in the federal program. The bill passed the Montana House of Representatives on Wednesday along with a companion measure, which challenges the Real ID law on constitutional grounds. Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer has spoken in favor of Wiseman's bill.

"Out West, people are very protective of their privacy and against an intrusive federal government that wants to collect a lot of data," Wiseman told FOXNews.com before the vote. "There’s a good whiff of a corporate boondoggle around this thing and they (state lawmakers) are finding reasons to reject it. They don't see much benefit to support the cost."

[7jason]

The old national ID debate rears its head again.

[highball]

I'm glad to see that some people still believe in states' rights.

[em2vn]

This idea came out of which administration?

[Cucumber]

I'm glad to see that some people still believe in states' rights.....

not many, the real ID act was passed by a republican congress. yet the illegals and terrorists can still do anything they want.

[TBP]

Your papers, please.

[RebelBanker]

The Dems hate it because they are afraid it will be used to catch all the snowbirds who are registered to vote in Florida and New York/New Jersey/Etc.

[VeniVidiVici]

What's the objection to RealID. That there is a uniform standard?

[rocksblues]

New Jersey is already issuing the required drivers license's.

[7jason]

What's the objection to RealID. That there is a uniform standard?

Unfunded mandate, privacy concerns, national registry, takeover of traditional state powers, etc.

[fireforeffect]

Check.

The question is: How DO you tell if someone is who and what they say they are?

They look like a Mexican? (But their family has lived here for 200 years)

They look like an Arab? (But is an Armenian or a Lebanese Christian and have been here for 3 generations)

They look like a ex-con? (But are just your average clueless teenager)

They look like a foreigner? (But are really from New York City or southern California, no really)

Some form of ID is needed to prove you are who you say you are in this day and age. National standards avoid confusion.

Everybody complains about illegal aliens and voter fraud. Then when the Republicans do something about it they complain about intrusiveness and big brother.

I do not want a national ID card. But I also do not want illegal aliens (Terrorist or slave laborers) to move about freely, convicted felons to vote, or democrats to vote more than once.

[VeniVidiVici]

Now after having read-up on it, it appears that states must tighten their rules on what docs to accept for a drivers license and that the license contain a bar code.

States can opt out of the provisions but then the holder of those licenses can be barred from collecting federal benefits or travel on public conveyence.

I know FL already has tough document standards and a barcode. As opposed to some other states that let any Tom, Dick, Harry, Luis or Achmed to bring their Cracker Jack produced birth certificate and get a license.

There apparently is no Federal db but the states can link their own db together.

Maybe I'm just missing the hype in all this.

[af_vet_rr]

From the article: Montana is just one of at least 10 states considering bills to reject the Real ID Act, signed into law in May 2005 as part of the emergency supplemental relief bill to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and for tsunami relief.

The RINOs knew that such an abomination could not stand on its own and were hoping people wouldn't see it, and so they attached it to the a bill that they knew would be passed.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

The ping. Do it.

[highball]

The RINOs knew that such an abomination could not stand on its own and were hoping people wouldn't see it, and so they attached it to the a bill that they knew would be passed.

RINOs? I don't know about that - I suspect that this is the work of the mainstream Republican leadership. CINO, to be sure, but not necessarily RINO.

[traviskicks]

Libertarian ping! To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[traviskicks]

the ping is done :)

[TheKidster]

But I also do not want illegal aliens (Terrorist or slave laborers) to move about freely, convicted felons to vote, or democrats to vote more than once.

A national ID will not do much to address any of those problems. The only thing it does at the end of the day is benefit the fed govt by allowing it to consolidate more power and increase the level of control it can exert upon the states.

[TheKidster]

Thanks!

[VeniVidiVici]

Then when the Republicans do something about it they complain about intrusiveness and big brother.

Amen. Have you ever seen any alternatives? I do believe we need to effectively police the border but beyond that?

If I remember correctly the 9/11 hijackers had entered the country legally. With RealID would 9/11 have still happened?

[LurkedLongEnough]

A national ID is as bogus as our currency or federal "privacy" laws like HIPAA.