House passes universal ID card requirements
A national ID card is like a drivers license, except everyone must have one, it's managed by the federal government, and everyone must use it to do a number of tasks in society. Plans to mandate such cards were mainly a concern for Britain, with stiff opposition over there, and had no chance in the U.S. until after September 11, 2001. During the last decade, and even the first couple years of this one, the concept was thought of as a liberal proposal, and was vigorously opposed by conservative groups, as can be seen here, here, here, here, and here. The CATO institute called it "Big Brother's solution to illegal immigration." The CATO institute still sees national ID crds as a bad idea. But now that the idea is supported by Republicans instead of being pushed by the Clintons and strongly opposed by Reagan, Phyllis Schafly and National Review have reversed their position and now support the proposal, ignoring the effects on citizens because it will help keep many illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers' licenses.
Supporters of the current REAL ID proposal say that it is merely an enhancement and regularization of current drivers licenses. Under the proposal, the new licenses will store fingerprint or retinal data in a remotely readable chip. Information linked to the card such as traffic tickets, currently held by states, will be put in a new national database. They argue that it will reduce terrorism by helping keep terrorists off of planes and out of nuclear power plants (although all of the "9/11" hijackers had legitimate ID) and ensure that illegal immigrants cannot receive government services.
It won't be truly mandatory. In fact, states won't even have to comply with the standards, if they don't care about their federal highway funds and enabling their citizens to continue receiving government services or certain private sector services. From the news article: You'll need a federally approved ID card to travel on an airplane, open a bank account, collect Social Security payments, or take advantage of nearly any government service.
continuing,
The House of Representatives approved the package on Thursday by a vote of 368-58. Only three of the "nay" votes were Republicans; the rest were Democrats. The Senate is scheduled to vote on it next week and is expected to approve it as well.
The bill's supporters say that the Real ID Act is necessary to hinder terrorists, and to follow the ID card recommendations that the 9/11 Commission made last year.
National ID cards are nothing new, of course. Many European, Asian and South American countries require their citizens to carry such documents at all times, with legal punishments in place for people caught without them. Other nations that share the English common law tradition, including Australia and New Zealand [and the US, until now, as noted in the Supreme Court's HIIBEL v. SIXTH DISTRICT of NEVADA decision - ed.], have rejected such schemes.
"Supporters claim it is not a national ID because it is voluntary," Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, one of the eight Republicans to object to the measure, said during the floor debate this week. "However, any state that opts out will automatically make nonpersons out of its citizens. They will not be able to fly or to take a train." - C|NET news
How was this done, with practically no warning? The measure was added onto an emergency spending bill for Iraq. It next goes to the Senate, then to the President. I'm emailing my senators.
You won't see the new ID cards for up to 3 years, hopefully enough time for the Democrats to get back in power and kill the measure. I can't believe I just said that about the Democrats. No, wait, this all started with Clinton. Ok, maybe a third party will gain power. (yeah, right).
And you know many "conservatives" will still think the Republicans are their party. Sorry, but with things like this and the No Child Left Behind Act, I can't claim them as my party. (Note: I hold to some liberal positions; I don't necessarily identify myself as a conservative).
Email your senator at DownsizeDC.org.
edit: added description of national ID cards
Supporters of the current REAL ID proposal say that it is merely an enhancement and regularization of current drivers licenses. Under the proposal, the new licenses will store fingerprint or retinal data in a remotely readable chip. Information linked to the card such as traffic tickets, currently held by states, will be put in a new national database. They argue that it will reduce terrorism by helping keep terrorists off of planes and out of nuclear power plants (although all of the "9/11" hijackers had legitimate ID) and ensure that illegal immigrants cannot receive government services.
It won't be truly mandatory. In fact, states won't even have to comply with the standards, if they don't care about their federal highway funds and enabling their citizens to continue receiving government services or certain private sector services. From the news article: You'll need a federally approved ID card to travel on an airplane, open a bank account, collect Social Security payments, or take advantage of nearly any government service.
continuing,
The House of Representatives approved the package on Thursday by a vote of 368-58. Only three of the "nay" votes were Republicans; the rest were Democrats. The Senate is scheduled to vote on it next week and is expected to approve it as well.
The bill's supporters say that the Real ID Act is necessary to hinder terrorists, and to follow the ID card recommendations that the 9/11 Commission made last year.
National ID cards are nothing new, of course. Many European, Asian and South American countries require their citizens to carry such documents at all times, with legal punishments in place for people caught without them. Other nations that share the English common law tradition, including Australia and New Zealand [and the US, until now, as noted in the Supreme Court's HIIBEL v. SIXTH DISTRICT of NEVADA decision - ed.], have rejected such schemes.
"Supporters claim it is not a national ID because it is voluntary," Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, one of the eight Republicans to object to the measure, said during the floor debate this week. "However, any state that opts out will automatically make nonpersons out of its citizens. They will not be able to fly or to take a train." - C|NET news
How was this done, with practically no warning? The measure was added onto an emergency spending bill for Iraq. It next goes to the Senate, then to the President. I'm emailing my senators.
You won't see the new ID cards for up to 3 years, hopefully enough time for the Democrats to get back in power and kill the measure. I can't believe I just said that about the Democrats. No, wait, this all started with Clinton. Ok, maybe a third party will gain power. (yeah, right).
And you know many "conservatives" will still think the Republicans are their party. Sorry, but with things like this and the No Child Left Behind Act, I can't claim them as my party. (Note: I hold to some liberal positions; I don't necessarily identify myself as a conservative).
Email your senator at DownsizeDC.org.
edit: added description of national ID cards
posted by Derby at 16:28
7 Comments:
Yeah, I have to agree with you here. I have for quite sometime now realized that the Republican Party is nowhere near conservative. Are we drifting towards a virtual one-party system?
Edit: Furthermore, the ultimate effectiveness of Real ID depends on the willingness of states to tighten standards, Ms. Bowman said. "We regard this not as a ceiling, but as a floor," she said. "We'll keep the states' feet to the fire." - NY SUN
for anyone who thinks that this proposal is ok because of any limitations it has.
I'm a little confused - what in the world IS an universal ID card? I haven't heard of it before.
Wow. That's very interesting. Not suprising though. Might take another bombing like the 9-11 one to complete it's track though.
-Rebekkah
Maybe I shouldn't wish I lived in town. We have a dug well and three acres (counting a Rail Road right of way)... Has anyone else read 'Manalive' or 'League of the Longbow' (by G. K. Chesterton)? ;D
The proposal is definitely not ok. It's sad that we've come to this as a nation. I've contacted my senator...maybe being from the "left" coast will come in handy for once...:P
Universal ID card? Never heard about it before! I think it is done to prevent different accidents, so that everyone knows who exactly you are. I wonder what will be the language.
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