The REAL ID act has raised its head again. Passed by an intimidated (Republican) congress in 2005, the law mandates all states switch to secure drivers licenses that contain some biometric identifier, and that all personal information on the license be checked against government databases to verify social security number and immigration status. Libertarians led the charge against the REAL ID act, as we did against the Patriot Act. Representative Ron Paul (R-Tx) forced legislation to prevent funding for the law in several annual appropriation bills, but eventually congress funded the law.
In response to passage of the REAL ID act, Georgia led 16 other states in repudiating the law by removing the biometric identifier, the fingerprint.
In a classic example of the evils of the bureaucratic state, The Department of Homeland Security on January 11, 2008 issued new regulations that have the force of law — even though our elected political leaders will never debate or vote on the provisions.
The regulations mandate that, beginning in 2011, all Americans born after December 1, 1964 will be required to possess a drivers license containing a biometric identifier as well as several physical tamper-proof qualities. By the year 2014, no one born after that date will be allowed to board an airplane, open a bank account, or deal with any Federal agency unless they can show a REAL ID act-compliant drivers license or government ID card. By 2017 the law will apply to all Americans regardless of age.
The American Civil Liberties Union responded in 2005 by saying the act is “the first-ever national identity card system,” which “would irreparably damage the fabric of American life.”
Libertarians concur with the ACLU on this issue. The REAL ID act is anti-American by creating a national ID card. The manner in which the law is being implemented is unconstitutional because the rules are being set by unelected bureaucrats rather than an elected and accountable congress. And the underlying philosophy of the act is anti-freedom, because it implies that the ability to travel is a government-bestowed privilege rather than an inherent right.
Libertarians call on the Georgia delegation and all US legislators to repudiate this totalitarian law.
