Real ID Act: Congress takes another step toward a police state

The law mandates state uniformity of driver’s licenses, in a manner to be determined by the Department of Homeland Security. It will require machine-readable electronic devices to be embedded so that an electronic swipe will reveal the location and business of all persons, whenever they do almost anything. At the same time, state databases will be interlinked to provide instantaneous checking of data. Every police stop could well incorporate not only arrest records, but also immigration status, and more.

The effect will be a profound transformation of daily life in America, as the driver’s license becomes tantamount to a national identity card. The card will nominally be issued by each of the 50 states, but if any state should not go along with the federal standards, its residents will not be allowed use their licenses to board an airplane or to enter a federal building. Without an approved card, it will be impossible to open a bank account, collect Social Security payments, or use virtually any other government services.

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http://wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/id-m26.shtml