Real ID Act

A few years back, bill HR 418 was drafted in the wake of 9/11 and then went stagnant. It was revived and then attached onto a military spending bill. The bill, later titled Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005 by Congress, was passed on May 11, 2005 without protest. Seems normal in the world of politics, but HR 418 wasn't what one would call "pork." HR 418 has now become known as the Real ID Act, which is causing a stir in some states and going completely unnoticed in others. The fact that it is going largely unnoticed is quite disturbing.

The Real ID Act was proposed after the September 11 terrorist attacks and at its core requires ID cards to be uniform nationwide. Although as threeworldwars.com (among others) has stated, Real ID threatens to turn America into a "police state." Though this sounded extreme to me at first, especially coming from a web site that prophecies WWIII, it has since started to bug me, like it has many other Americans. The ID is aimed at stopping illegal immigration and preventing terrorism (both noble causes), but is ultimately giving the government unparalleled leverage over its own citizens. When the act takes affect in May 11, 2008, anyone not carrying a Federally approved ID will not be able to enter government facilities, get Social Security checks, and board airplanes, just to list a few. The restrictions and purposes behind Real ID would make it a National ID System. (Though this is still disputed)

The problem with a National ID System is that it gives the government unparalleled power in being able to track its citizens. Some have dared to say that it gives the government more power than Stalin could have ever dreamed of. Either way, the concept of a National ID System is Orwellian in nature, and threatens to push the U.S. closer to a society dominated by Big Brother.

Despite coming into a quiet existence, state governments and the media have started to pick up on Real ID. States like Georgia, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Vermont, Maryland, and Washington have started debating the legality of the act and Maine has already rejected it. There has even been some talk of its legality being questioned on Capitol Hill. If the act is repealed on a national level, it will be a significant victory.