I have to agree with a privacy committee of the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) assessment: oppose the Real ID bill, which proposes to create a national standard for state driver's licenses and other forms of state-issued identification.
This bill raises too many privacy, security, and logistical concerns.
The Real ID Act of 2005, in the wake of terrorism, sets minimum national standards that states must use when issuing driver's licenses and other identification. For example, this includes a photo ID, documentation of birth date and address, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and verification of Social Security numbers. As proposed, this law would go into effect in about a year.
Individuals would need Read ID-compliant cards for air travel, accessing federal buildings, or for receiving federal benefits. Moreover, all state driver's license databases would be linked.
The act is objectionable on the grounds that this is a de facto national ID system. Eventually, the U.S. government could spy on ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
Also troubling is that there is no plan for securing the stored identity data. The states are not accountable for the data.
"Failure to provide openness and transparency undermines accountability and trust," the DHS committee noted in its comments.
Concerns along these lines have been expressed by the National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
Several members of Congress have also expressed their objection: Sens. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and John Sununu (R-N.H.), who proposed the Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007. The bills co-sponsors include Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and John Lester (D-Mont.).
If the government had thinkers, they would enact a Real ID for criminals and skofflaws. The identification targets the wrong people, the compliant. Of course, people could voluntarily join the program, in fact, this would advantageous for frequent travelers and those who need consistent, easy transit.
As it stands, this is a bad law.
In an update on 6 July 2007, the Governor of New Hampshire signed a bill that rejects federal Real ID law
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