Maine Rejects Real ID Act

[Quixotic Loafer]

Maine overwhelmingly rejected federal requirements for national identification cards on Thursday, marking the first formal state opposition to controversial legislation scheduled to go in effect for Americans next year.

The Real ID Act says that, starting around May 2008, Americans will need a federally approved ID card--a U.S. passport will also qualify--to travel on an airplane, open a bank account, collect Social Security payments or take advantage of nearly any government service. States will have to conduct checks of their citizens' identification papers, and driver's licenses likely will be reissued to comply with Homeland Security requirements. In addition, the national ID cards must be "machine-readable," with details left up to Homeland Security, which hasn't yet released final regulations. That could end up being a magnetic strip, an enhanced bar code or radio frequency identification (RFID) chips.

Its supporters say that the Real ID Act is necessary to hinder terrorists, and to follow the ID card recommendations that the 9/11 Commission made last year.

Do you believe the Real ID Act is necessary or unnecessary? Furthermore, do you believe it will be enforced or repealed entirely?

[Quixotic Loafer]

Sorry for this inconvenience. Here is the main article:

Maine rejects Real ID Act | CNET News.com

[Scribbler1]

The Bush administration has made Homeland Security pretty all-encompassing. It has gotten to the point where all the administration needs to do is say it's part of the "war against terror" and they pretty much get what they want.
As in this case. I highly suspect the wishes of the individual states will be a moot point if the administration presses its case.

And, since DHS hasn't decided just HOW these cards will be read, are we supposed to blindly believe they will be secure just because they SAY so?

[Osborn F Enready]

Quixotic Loafer said: Do you believe the Real ID Act is necessary or unnecessary?

I have no problem with LEGAL CITIZENS being required to OWN (not carry) a form of Identification. The Real ID Act is just a scham to get every American on RFID tags however, and another incremental step to removing paper money from circulation (as well as economic freedom).

I will NEVER accept RFID in ANY form of Identification. Are you listening Washington? This WILL be my line in the sand.

Quixotic Loafer said: Furthermore, do you believe it will be enforced or repealed entirely?

Tough question.

The results of that question will be a large part of showing the true depth of corruption in Washington. ( a self imposed litmus test, by them, much like alchohol prohibition was)

I will refuse a drivers license, and drive illegally if they put RFID in state issued drivers licenses.

If they require RFID for purchases or banking, I will start making withdrawls using copper and brass at high velocity.

They are taking a huge, and very fundamental step here toward authoritarian corporatism.

[another day]

Yep, and the american public will lap it up like dog water in the spirit of conveniance.