A sad day...

[alexpgp]

Yesterday, the politicians representing both parties in the House of Representatives demonstrated that "smaller government" is merely an idea that gets trotted out every once in a while as a rhetorical device, a sop to those unfortunates who believe that government shouldn't run every aspect of our lives. In the name of Homeland Security, and as part of an emergency spending bill, the RealID Act was passed and will, I'm sure, be signed into law.

So, according to the story on c|net:

Starting three years from now, if you live or work in the United States, you'll need a federally approved ID card to travel on an airplane, open a bank account, collect Social Security payments, or take advantage of nearly any government service. Practically speaking, your driver's license likely will have to be reissued to meet federal standards.

Of course, the list of things you may need a "federally approved ID" to do may expand.

Imagine, for example, having to provide that ID to buy a pack of cigarettes, especially if that package has an embedded RFID chip. Not a bad idea, you say? We'll know exactly who's smoking, and how much. In addition, if we expand the current reasoning that allows insurance companies to lump one-cigar-a-year smokers into the same group with three-pack-a-day gaspers for purposes of charging premiums and allow those companies to classify anyone who buys even a single cigarette as a smoker, we can make those nicotine fiends pay, and pay, and pay, and help satisfy a seemingly ingrained human urge on the part of some to screw over some group or other in a socially acceptable manner just for the pleasure of doing so.

Or how about this one: require the ID be scanned whenever you buy gas for your car. It'd be a great way to monitor (and even control) movement of persons in cars inside the country, and could be very helpful should government ever feel it necessary, say, to ration gasoline.

And why stop there? Do you believe there is a correlation between playing computer games such as Grand Theft Auto and crime? RealID offers a great way to do a little social research. Make swiping your ID a requirement for buying such a game, keep track of the results, and then prove your point using whatever method works. (If the data doesn't support your pre-determined conclusion, let me whisper one phrase in your ear: "second-hand smoke.")

You say this could never happen, as RealID is being introduced as a way to fight the War on Terror? Well, it's not an easy read, but check out RICO: The crime of being a criminal, 87 Colum. L. Rev. 661 to see how laws enacted with the best of intentions seem to take on a life of their own.

Getting the thing is going to be interesting. From the article,

...you'll need to bring a "photo identity document," document your birth date and address, and show that your Social Security number is what you had claimed it to be. U.S. citizens will have to prove that status, and foreigners will have to show a valid visa.

State DMVs will have to verify that these identity documents are legitimate, digitize them and store them permanently. In addition, Social Security numbers must be verified with the Social Security Administration.

In the end, will this "Real ID" make us any safer? I'm not taking any bets.

Cheers...

Comments

[bandicoot.livejournal.com]

If an astronaut showed up at the ISS hatch without 2 valid approved picture IDs because he left them in the pocket of his other spacesuit, do you think they'd let him in ;)

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

Probably, if only because he's likely got a sack filled with fresh fruit and maybe a small bottle of something to make the spirits soar.

A couple came into the store last weekend and wanted to know where they could get a picture ID for the wife. Her wallet had been either lost or stolen and they were going to be flying back to New York soon.

I first observed that there was no way to get a valid, government-issued ID without... well... ID, so they should file a police report and then call the airlines to let them know what's what. I have to figure that - when all is said and done - the airlines have to have a plan in place to handle such situations.

How will that work in a RealID world, I wonder?

Cheers...

[tamaraland.livejournal.com]

Because it would just be too difficult to have everyone get PASSPORTS

[silpol.livejournal.com]

as old (russian?) joke says, "it is difficult only first 90 years" :)))