No doubt about it, Computerworld’s article Obama administration to inherit a real mess on Real ID is spot on, not to mention the even more expensive messes faced by the states in dealing with the Bush era, high-tech drivers license program intended to somehow fight terror. But before you start trying to dig up your birth certificate so you can get your license renewed, remember that before she became President-elect Obama’s nominee to run the Department of Homeland Security, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, signed a bill barring her state from implementing the Real ID Act.
This could pose a problem, considering that the Department of Homeland Security is the federal agency responsible for seeing to it that all states, including Arizona, make the Real ID Act happen. Under the law, citizens of states that fail to comply with Real ID could be barred from boarding commercial airliners, entering federal buildings or receiving federal benefits, including Social Security payments. Yes, they will still be "allowed" to pay federal income tax.
Under current regulations, the states have until Dec. 31, 2009 to prove that their driver’s license or ID card issuance systems are capable of verifying the lawful status of all applicants to prevent illegal aliens from obtaining REAL ID-compliant licenses. Full implementation of Real ID for all persons under 50 years of age is to be completed by Dec. 1, 2014, with all people “enrolled” by Dec. 1, 2017.
In his one-and-only chance while in the Senate to vote on an issue related to the Real ID Act, Napolitano’s new boss, President-elect Obama, chose not to cast his ballot.
Considering that Real ID could cost the states from $11 billion to as much as $17 billion they probably no longer have, and the law’s almost total lack of public support, perhaps the Obama administration will find a way to allow the Real ID Act to quietly fade away.
Also See:
Want a Driver’s License? Better Have a Birth Certificate
States Race to Reject Real ID Act
Governors Tally Real Costs of Real-ID
Could REAL ID Act Herald the Apocalypse?
Comments
It seems quite odd given the citizens request to view Obama’s certified birth certificate, a requirement for the office. Perhaps the real reason the president will let the REAL ID Act fade away is that he refuses to produce a real birth certificate to prove his US citizenship. hmmmm?
Another Republican invention to reward defense contractors and other contractors with government business. Without providing the states any $$$ to comply with this measure. If its so damn necessary let the Federal Government pay for it!
Why waste billions of dollars on watching our own US citizens, spend the money instead on paying the homes off of all those facing foreclouser.
Or we could all rent the movie 1984 and use it as a instructional video.
I think the only people that can stop this prevailing controversy is the MUNGIKI movement, OBAMA has no say in all this infact he is another JESUIT pappet ready to do anything to make this evil prevail
What happen to freedom??it would be the best decission ever made to let it fade away.I think that terrorism is only an excuse for some of these pple to take controll of us. I wonder if im the only 1 who see’s this as a way of control.The future look really sticky from here
They are doing more than just asking for SS cards and Birth certificates!! They can’t be laminated thus forcing us to get new ones.. (cost for my Husbands $64.25 total)!
The also have you fill out a “Health” quesionairre section and God help you if you check yes on anything. Now my husband has to go to the doctor to prove that is Asthma won’t affect his driving or lose his “Real ID”.
Total infringement on our rights!!! When all is said and done we will have spent $114 to renew just one license in our home. I have yet to do mine and I shudder to think what mine will cost! I too have to send away for new documents as I made the mistake of laminating mine!
What next.. blood type?!!! Where have our rights gone as citizens????
How convenient; Real ID becomes nothing more than a bad dream, and we just so happen to get something (Arizona, I’m lookin at you) that brings it into the light again.
These politicians are just chomping at the bit to get this passed. You all take your sweet time with banking reform, but as soon as the real ID comes into question, you jump at the chance. Why does it matter to them or their special interests whether we get chipped or not? What will it bring them?
It saddens me that the Democrats are apart of this as well. There really are no heroes any more.