Feds to 'rethink' license mandate

[struggle4progress]

By Thomas Frank, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Thursday afternoon that she will "rethink" a program that requires every state to issue more secure driver's licenses by the end of the year.

The new licenses, required under a 2005 federal law, aim to prevent criminals and potential terrorists from getting fake IDs. But the licenses have been opposed by many governors, who cite the cost. Added opposition comes from the American Civil Liberties Union, which says the cards are, in effect, a national ID card.

"It really has taken the form of a huge unfunded mandate on states which are struggling with huge cuts right now," Napolitano said Thursday, one day after she was sworn in as head of the third-largest federal department. Napolitano, the governor of Arizona until Tuesday, noted that she had signed a bill in June barring the state from complying with the license law.

Last year, the Homeland Security Department extended a May 11 deadline for states to issue new, tamper-resistant licenses. States now have until Dec. 31 to issue new licenses that require applicants to present documentation in person showing they are in the country legally ...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-22-securelicense_N.htm

[Demeter]

1. They Can Think It Over, But the Cat Is Out of the Bag

Proving one's identity has never been so difficult. When people were born, lived and died in a radius determined by average transportation of on foot or horse, people were surrounded by witnesses from birth to death.

Now so many people are so mobile, those that want to can be anyone they want to successfully for extended periods of crime.

An answer to this dilemma must be found. I do not prefer tatoos, RF tagging, or other chattel-ID methods, personally. Sometimes a person wants or need anonymity for non-nefarious reasons....

And sometimes just to stay alive when the government is the criminal enterprise!

[DCKit]

2. My sister had a hell of a time getting a Virginia DL with a rural address.

They want to know where you are, to the number on the door.

National ID v.2.0 will, no doubt, have GPS. Oh, wait, the NeoCons aren't running the show anymore - Maybe they'll scrap the whole BS program.

[Still Sensible]

3. Napolitano, finally some common sense thinking

at the top. It's about time.

[Doctor_J]

4. While you're at it, how about making it EASIER to vote

I realize that's not DHS business, but GOP voter suppression is a criminal disgrace.