Road to secure US drivers' licenses looks chaotic

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/PrinterFriendlyPopup.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=uri:2005-10-10T173032Z_01_N10376404_RTRIDST_0_SECURITY-IDENTITY.XML

WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The United States has embarked on a massive effort to create a secure digital driver's license system by early 2008 but some experts warn that the plan may be hugely expensive and lead to chaos.

Congress passed the Real ID Act last May and gave states three years to implement it. It laid out minimum national standards for licenses, which will have to include a digital photo, anti-counterfeiting features and machine-readable technology.

States will have to verify all documents presented to support license applications, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and utility bills, with the issuing agency, and will be required to link their license databases so they can all be accessed as a single network.

States will also be required to verify that a person applying for a license is in the country legally. They will have the option of issuing a separate credential to illegal aliens so that they will still be able to drive.

<snip>

"This law has the potential for huge bureaucratic and technical problems," said Cheye Calvo of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"This law was written by people who didn't take the time to understand how these things are done and didn't even hold any congressional hearings," he said.

...more...

edited to add the following :rant:

Because the airline industry refused to do their freakin' job and secure the airplanes, the entire population of this country will be forced to undergo severe "Big Brother" technology and expenses beyond the cost of putting barrier doors on the cockpits - this GOP-led assault against the citizens of this country is an abomination!

[rodeodance]

1. this was pushed by Rep. Stenstenberger of WI--

........
"This law was written by people who didn't take the time to understand how these things are done and didn't even hold any congressional hearings," he said.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

2. The Real ID Act was buried in some major legislation at the last instant

so it wouldn't be challenged. "This law was written by people who . . . didn't even hold any congressional hearings." I think that about sums it up. The Repugs have been trying to establish a National Identification Card for several years, and now they got their wish. Of course, they shift the burden to the states on how to pay for it.

This ranks right up there with Tom Ridge's suggestion that every child should have an RFID implanted under the skin, and another scheme whereby anyone who is charged -- not convicted -- of a crime will have a DNA sample taken.

It's a Brave New World, folks.

[hallc]

3. yikes!

i never heard of tom ridge suggesting that - not that i would put it past him, but damn! :scared:

[MountainLaurel]

4. When it was originally put forth

As a separate bill, in the full light of congressional scrutiny, it was roundly defeated by bipartisan opposition. No one other than Sensenbrenner thought it was a good idea. So, it in the next legislative session snuck into the no-kill military funding bill.

We need to pay more attention to these bypasses of the democratic process. In his book "Losing America," Robert Byrd details how maneuvers such as this are destroying the system of checks and balances. For instance, the number of omnibus funding and program bills has exploded: Instead of funding one program through, say, a single act, funding is going in a block of several billion to, say, Health and Human Services. This is allowing the Bushistas to dole out money without any congressional oversight. We're losing this country and government a little more every day.

[SoCalDem]

5. "secure" IDs are only as safe as the person looking at them

Is every employer/shopkeeper going to receive training on how to spot a fake?

Next????

[Sven77]

6. tax, track, and control

transponders in the car to tax you by the mile, chips under the skin to prove your not a terrorist. they are lowering the cage around us.

http://www.spychips.com/