[philman_36]

Spotlight on Surveillance
March 2007:
Federal REAL ID Proposal Threatens Privacy and Security
When it created the Department of Homeland Security, Congress made clear in the enabling legislation that the agency could not create a national ID system.[48] In September 2004, then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge reiterated, “[t]he legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security was very specific on the question of a national ID card. They said there will be no national ID card.”[49] The REAL ID Act creates a de facto national ID card.
The requirement for non-REAL ID driver’s license or ID card to have explicit “invalid for federal purposes” designations turns this “voluntary” card into a mandatory national ID card. Anyone with a different license or ID card would be instantly suspicious. It will be easy for insurance companies, credit card companies, even video stores, to demand a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card in order to receive services. Significant delay, complication and possibly harassment or discrimination would fall upon those without a REAL ID card.

I suggest you read that article. It covers a lot of info.

[TChris]

It will be easy for insurance companies, credit card companies, even video stores, to demand a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card in order to receive services.

Yes, but those are private businesses. They could just as easily, and legally, make great demands of their customers now. But they don't.

Why should I believe they would begin mistreating their customers if the Real ID were implemented? What incentive would they have to do so?

It's a simple, and deceptive, practice to pursue scary trains of thought in considering what could happen as a consequence of this or that. But applying some cold, hard reality to those predictions is always a good idea.

My BS meter starts swinging over to the right when ever someone starts "what if"ing me with frightening possibilities when the real, direct effects of one choice or another aren't spooky enough.

(If I step outside today, I greatly increase the chances of being hit by a car or struck by lightening. Therefore, I should obviously stay inside all day to eliminate that risk!)

Personally, I don't see too much Eeeeeeeviiiiiillllll in the Real ID act at this point. My opinion could change in the future.