National ID

Are you aware that there is a law requiring you to carry a national ID? Guess what? There is. The Real ID Act was passed by the Bush administration in 2005. This was brought to my attention on teapartyeconomist.com. No, I do not belong to the tea party. I would, however be interested in joining a coffee party.

The Real ID Act essentially established a national ID by requiring states to comply with costly and restrictive federal licensing standards aimed at creating a national database of driver’s licenses. At a cost of about $230 million per years, the states have resisted. States must do the scanning of information and that takes more staff.

In a nut shell, the law requires that all 245 million license and state ID holders go to local DMV to get the card. You have to bring a photo ID, birth certificate, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residence to obtain the card.

Without the card you will not be able to travel on an airplane, open a bank account, collect Social Security, enter federal government buildings or take advantage of most government services.

Surprise! Both political parties at the national level favor this law. As John W. Whitehead, president of the Rutherford Institute said, "The purpose of the card is to provide the government with the ultimate control over the American people."

Let me see if I understand. There is an outcry over voter ID, but a full approval of a national ID. What did I miss?

Can you imagine the lines at the DMV with 245 million people trying to get a card so they can get on a plane or go to the bank? You can’t get into a DMV now to get a license.

In my best Nazi Germany accent, "Vee have ways to make you."

PMO
©2011