National ID: Another Federal Power Grab - Commentary by Frank Gillispie

National ID: Another federal power grab – Commentary by Frank Gillispie

If you think the lines at the driver’s license offices have been long in the past, just wait until the new federal rules kick in.

Last week, the U.S. Senate gave final passage to HR1268, commonly called the national ID bill. The main thrust of the bill is to require all states to issue uniform driver’s licenses and identification cards, and to include all information and documents used to verify the same in a national data base.

To qualify for a state issued driver’s license or ID card the applicant will have to present proof of their place or birth, or other document proving their citizenship or permanent resident status. The bill calls for two photo ID’s place of residence and social security documents. Copies of all these documents must be maintained by the state government for at least 10 years.

The idea is to use your license as a national ID card. Once it is in full effect, you will not be given access to most government offices without the card. You will not be able to open a checking account, buy air line tickets, or do any of dozens of other things that involve the government or government regulations.

I have three problems with this plan. It smacks of “Big Brotherism.” It greatly increases the opportunity of identity thieves to rip us off. It takes another bite out of the rights of states to exercise governmental sovereignty.

In Orwell’s “1984”, government computers, detectors and TV monitors watched and recorded every move of every citizen. Today, our streets are filled with hidden TV cameras that transmit personal information about us to various government agencies. Giant data bases collect data on our buying habits, our income, our debts and travel habits, even our voting patterns.

This is already in effect. The new federally regulated driver’s licenses will just make this process easier. Be careful where you go, what you buy and who you visit. Big brother is watching you, and his job is getting easier.

We already have a massive problem of criminals hijacking the identity of citizens and using that information to raid our bank accounts, purchase expensive goods on our credit and even commit voter fraud using our identification. The new law will greatly enhance the amount of material in our files and make it easier for the criminals to steal our identity.

The AJC recently reported on a computer programmer for the state of Georgia who hacked driver’s license files. He was able to do so because he was hired without a proper background check and was assigned to work on the state’s massive data base maintained by the Georgia Technology Authority. Authorities still don’t know how much data he may have lifted. But clearly, had the new law been in effect, the amount of personal data available to him would have been far greater.

Finally, our Constitution draws clear lines of authority between the states and federal government. Issuing driver’s licenses is a state responsibility. The federal government has no authority to interfere or direct this process. Forcing the states to comply with federal rules for driver’s licenses is yet another unconstitutional power grab by the Washington D.C. politicians and bureaucrats.

So, when you have to make two trips to the driver’s license window, one to deliver a file of personal data and another to complete the process after your records are reviewed and installed into yet another data base, you will know who to blame. When your life is totally disrupted by criminals who hacked your records and assumed your identity, you can credit your congressman and senators who passed this fiasco without proper debate and study.

Those driver’s licenses lines are going to be even longer with this bill and your security even more at risk. It is scheduled to go into effect in three years. You had best get busy with your calls and letters to your congressman and senators demanding that they stop this foolishness immediately.