Real ID

There have been a number of posts about this legislation that recently passed the House, and a very good one was put on Badger Blog Alliance by Stand in the Trenches. One of the links in there goes to Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), and his speech before the House against it.

I finally found the entire bill as passed in the House, and actually did read through it. One of the answers that Stand in the Trenches couldn't answer was what kind of information is really going on this card? Well, here is what I found in the bill: "(9) A common machine-readable technology, with defined minimum data elements." (Sec. 202(b)(9)). What I couldn't find were what these "minimum data elements" are.

Call me paranoid, but here is my problem: the Secretary of Homeland Security has an incredible amount of power written into this bill. You could call him the "Real ID Dictator" - all he has to do is "consult" with the States or the Secretary of Transportation on numerous issues, then makes the call he wants.

What happens if we get an anti-gun administration (aka Clinton/Gore/Reno) again? Will the Secretary of Homeland Security deem it necessary to have all firearms ownership included as well?

That's scary - I think Rep. Ron Paul is right: "This bill establishes a massive, centrally-coordinated database of highly personal information about American citizens". It establishes this by basically coercing the States (through withholding funds if not in compliance) to link their databases.

Do we really need this? I don't think so!

I couldn't find in the bill where it allows for sharing of the database with Canada and Mexico, but it may be in there is legal-eze.

I'm still against this bill - I can only hope it doesn't pass in the Senate. I think we can find a better way to secure our borders that does not infringe on my freedoms!