Archive for the ‘Real ID’ Category

Immediate Action Needed In MISSOURI!!!

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

State Senator Victor Callahan and his committee are standing in opposition of Jim Guest’s REAL ID BILL(HB-361)!!! We believe there is some insider information being sent back and forth that will squash Rep. Guest’s bill to kill Real-ID in Missouri and we need to call and act swiftly to regain our footing on this extremely important legislation. Here is what WE NEED: Please CALL and EMAIL these people and let them know NICELY that we would like for them to stand up for American civil rights and protect our freedom!

TEMPLATE FOR CALLING: (Feel free to edit and revise)
Hello, my name is ____________ and I wanted to take a moment to thank Senator __________ for their interest in HB 361, or the Real ID Bill. We(I) understand that the Senate Committee for Progress and Development Committee is in opposition of this bill and we want to strongly urge the Senator to shift their opinion. As a citizen of the United States, I feel our civil liberty is being taken away with each passing day and find the government using technology to track my activities very immoral and Unconstitutional. Please do not allow our state to lose the sovereignty our forefathers granted us and support HB- 361. Thank you for your time!

Be prepared to answer questions with why you are against tracking chips in your Drivers Licenses and against the government using biometrics to watch our everyday movements. Tell them how you fell, but PLEASE BE NICE!!!

CALL THESE PEOPLE!!!
Sen. Victor Callahan (573) 751-3074
Sen. Jolie Justus (573) 751-2788
Sen. Jason Crowell (573) 751-2459
Sen. Brad Lager (573) 751-1415
Sen. Wes Shoemyer (573) 751-7852

Press Release Submitted: Sunshine Law

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Liberty Restoration Project delivers “Sunshine Law” request to Jefferson City regarding Police document.

Kansas City, MO. March 16th, 2009:

Today representatives of the Liberty Restoration Project (LRP) hand delivered a “Sunshine Law” request to 3 offices in Jefferson City. The Sunshine Law in Missouri is a version of the Federal Freedom of Information Act that allows groups to petition for information. This request was delivered to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon’s office, Missouri Highway Patrol office and State Emergency Management office. The LRP is operating as a mouthpiece to a national “Freedom Movement” that feels that a document released by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) on February 20th, 2009, has placed a peaceful movement into the same groupings as “Paramilitary”, white supremacists, hate groups and unconstitutional Militia. This document was released to the Missouri Highway Patrol offices and was released from the desk of Governor Nixon’s desk. This document was leaked to the public by someone who obtained it from their law enforcement agency.

The document in question is being criticized by the freedom movement because of such generalized information provided in the document. The document was written as a training tool for the police to be able to identify Militia members and protect officers as well and citizens. Instead the document managed to label anyone with a political view that differs from the two party designs. This document indicates current Texas Congressman Ron Paul as an icon for the Paramilitary movement, as well as displaying an inverted American flag, or having copies of documentaries that discuss issues that are relevant to the freedom movement. This document indicates that displaying a 3rd Party bumper sticker, or a “Gadsden Flag”, or even carrying a copy of the United States Constitution could be considered “political paraphernalia”. The freedom movement as a whole feels that this document will allow Missouri police to profile vehicles, individuals, organizations, or even political figures as “radical” or “extremists”, and will infringe upon a person’s 1st amendment right to express their views. The most immediate threat to this peaceful group will come at the end of March when Congressman Ron Paul will hold a regional conference in St. Louis, MO. This conference will bring in hundreds of supporters into Missouri, and now most are fearful of being singled out and profiled against, and potentially having their rights violated by the police, all because of a generalized and poorly informed document.

The Liberty Restoration Project is requesting on behalf of a national freedom movement for a retraction of this document, and a formal apology from the Governor, MIAC, and the Missouri Highway Patrol. The Liberty Restoration Project in Kansas City will extend a hand in drafting information that will not only clarify a position of a freedom movement, but also assist in better informing law enforcement officials in hopes to protect our peacekeeping officers and citizens.

For More information about the LRP, please visit: www.libertyrestorationproject.org

Please contact Bryon Huber at: 816-739-8064

Attached you will find the Sunshine Law request that was submitted.

Full MIAC report can be found at : http://www.scribd.com/doc/13232178/MIAC-Strategic-Report-The-Modern-Militia-Movement

####

United,
Bryon Huber
Director of Public Relations
Liberty Restoration Project
www.libertyrestorationproject.org

Press Release: Are you on the list?

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

EDIT: This has been confirmed by officer Hotz on the phone with Catherine Bleish.

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Liberty Restoration Project responds to Document released by Mo. Division of Drug and Crime Control/ Missouri Information Analysis Center

Kansas City, MO. March 12th 2009:

The Liberty Restoration Project (LRP) obtained a notice today that was released by the Missouri Division of Drug and Crime Control, P.O. Box 568 in Jefferson City today. This document declares that “Militia Members most commonly associate with 3rd Party political groups” indicating Congressman Ron Paul, former Congressman Bob Barr, and Pastor Chuck Baldwin to be springboards of Anti-government militia groups in Missouri. The Liberty Restoration Project views this document as defamation to a growing “Freedom Movement” that is focused on peace, freedom, civil liberty, and constitutional obedience. The Liberty Restoration Project in Kansas City is a focus group based off of many of the principles laid forth by 3rd Party leaders, including an audit and/or repeal of the Federal Reserve Banks of the United States, and many other topics that are addressed by these leaders.

The document in question is still pending a confirmation of validity, yet when representatives of the LRP have called the attached phone numbers, they have been met with confirming messages stating that they are aware of the document, and that they would have someone return a phone call. One of the reasons the LRP believes that this document is so destructive is because of Congressman Ron Paul’s Regional “Campaign For Liberty” conference in St. Louis starting on the 27th of March, 2009 which will bring in hundreds of Ron Paul supporters and “Freedom Movement” groups. The LRP believes that this is a blatant attempt to stifle liberty and a message that teaches American people what it means to be an American with a voice, and a message of peace and civil liberty. The Liberty Restoration Project is currently awaiting a response from the Division of Drug and Crime Control. The only names listed on this document come in the form of email, and the names listed are: Brandon Middleton, and Greg Hug.

The Liberty Restoration Project also wants to express their views about “Militia’s”, citing the 2ndAmendment of the US Constitution; “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Although no members of the LRP are members of a militia, they feel that a Militia is Constutionally founded and have advocated in the past for Missouri representatives to adhere to their oath of office to uphold the Constitution and abide by the 2nd Amendment. Yet the document in question annotates a Militia as something to be feared, warned against, and fought. The LRP wishes for a retraction of this document, and a public apology made, and if this is not met, the LRP has promised heavy activism against their Division and will pursue further actions to correct what they feel is a devastating misrepresentation of what the “Freedom Movement” is about.

For More information about the LRP, please visit: www.libertyrestorationproject.org

For More information about the Campaign For Liberty, please visit: www.campaignforliberty.com

Attached you will find scans of the Document in question.

Please Contact Bryon Huber at 816-739-8064 for questions or interviews.

####

Click Here for Document Images

Action Alert! MO HB 361 passes out of committee upcoming vote

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

Two weeks ago, LRP members traveled to Jefferson City to testify in the Real ID / Privacy Committee in favor of House Bill 361, which would halt the mandate of Real ID in the state of Missouri.  The LRP believes this is a tenth amendment issue for our legislatures and is honored to support Representative Jim Guest in his efforts to fight the Real ID. 

Please call your state representatives and ask them to support HB 361!  This is urgent!  We must stand up against this federal power grab initiated during the Bush administration!

To learn about the bill: http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/bills/HB361.htm

To find your representative: http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx.

Things are really happening here in, Missouri!  Welcome to the rEVOLution!

peace, love and liberty,

Catherine

Good News!

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

I just received a phone call from Mike Talboy, a Missouri Representative out of Kansas City, who in an earlier post I identified as somone who might stop the Real ID legislation from leaving committee.  He has clarified his position and is IN FULL SUPPORT OF HB 361.

Now would be the time to call and thank him:573-751-1309!

Mike, my personal apologies for the miscommunication!

Also, here is the updated link for the Springfield news article on LRP testifying in Jefferson City: http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902090350

A Call To Action!

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

What a busy week for the Liberty Restoration Project! After traveling to Jefferson City twice in 6 days, we are asking for your help with two resolutions and one house bill.

Please encourage your state representatives to vote YES on HR 294

(Click here to read a news story about LRP testifying on behalf of this resolution formerly known as HR 212 and here to see videos of the testimony in committee)  This bill is being discussed on the house floor and is our first opportunity to assert our 10th amendment right defended in 2009!

If your representative sits on the Committee on Privacy and Real ID (see list below), please contact them ASAP and ask them to push HCR 13 and HB361 out of committee.  These bills will only be debated on the house floor if the members decided to let them out of committee – your assistance is urgent in this matter.


Flanigan, Tom
Brown, Steve
Dugger, Tony
Grill, Jason
Kratky, Michele
Kraus, Will
Leara, Mike
Meiners, Kate
*Silvey, Ryan
*Talboy, Mike
*Viebrock, Jim

*Indicates these representative made comments revealing their potential to vote against both of these pieces of legislation – please don’t let HCR 13 and HB361 die in committee, contact them and ask them to change their tone!

Traveling to Jefferson City was a tremendous learning opportunity for the members of LRP and left us all with mixed emotions.

On the positive side:

1. Legislatures in both committees seem to understand our urgent plea to remind the federal government that its powers are LIMITED by the constitution and granted by the people, not the other way around.

2. Tuesday, during the floor debate on HR 294 , State Legislatures could be heard using the same verbage presented to them by liberty lovers while the bill was still in committee. We must never forget that the world is run by those who show up and speak up; next time will you join us?

On the not-so-positive side:

1. It appears at least one Kansas City area state representative is in serious need of an attitude adjustment. Ryan Silvey was seen arriving late to the committee meeting, repeatedly texting on his cell phone, continuously whispering with Mike Talboy during citizen testimony, and smirking/making condescending comments to his fellow Legislative peers and citizens who traveled across the state to testify.

Eight minutes into the video of Jim Guest answering questions about the Real ID (Click here ) Ryan Silvey starts asking questions – he states he is considering changing his stance on the Real ID (contact him and ask him not to) and says he thinks we are on a wild goose chase regarding the potential uses of the Real ID:

2. Jason Grill, another Kansas City area Representative was not present at the Committee on Security and Real ID meeting. His stance on this topic is currently unknown – will you contact him to find out?

Our Capitol Hill visits were definitely the highlights of the week, but LRP has been conducing other important business as well!

Weekly the Liberty Restoration Project is doing the following:

Observing City Council (watch for weekly blog updates)

Hosting an online radio program every Thursday from 7-8 on http://www.restoretherepublicradio.com (Click here to hear the Liberty Restoration Hour first podcast)

Meeting every Wednesday at 7pm at the Westport Coffee house

Are you interested in getting involved? We are currently looking for individuals to help with various research projects, reporting on the city council committee meetings, people who want to educate the public on their favorite liberty subject as a Topic Expert, help with a quarterly magazine, and much more! Email catherine@libertyrestorationproject.org for more details on how you can help!

Don’t forget to check out the Project Participation calendar for political events happening in the KC area!

In peace, love and liberty,

Catherine Bleish

executive Director

The REAL Big Three

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

-By Bryon Huber

“The Big 3” is a phrase we have been hearing quite a bit about in the latter parts of December 2008, but this article has nothing to do with automakers. When I listen to the nationally sponsored media, all I hear about is our economic woes and panelists predicting the future trends of the US markets and how we will rebound stronger than ever before. When I hear these words, I find myself laughing a bit. Maybe it’s because I have listened to Gerald Celente (http://www.trendsresearch.com/) predict a Greater Depression, or Peter Schiff (http://www.europac.net/) talk about how it is necessary to let our current economy collapse in order to achieve a functional financial system ever again.

These are all people that have been labeled as “kooks” or “nut jobs” and laughed at privately and even on camera in front of millions. But let me add that these are only 2 men in a long list of “whacko’s” that see the pattern emerging. It’s a pattern that I loving refer to as “The Real Big Three”. If you venture with me along this journey, you may also see the pattern and realize that this ultimate agenda is well underway if not already finalized.

The first part of my foresight revolves around the heart of the issue, and most everyone on this planet has a hand in this affair, money. Everyone needs some form of it, people want more and more of it to buy the things they not only need, but want. We as Americans have lulled ourselves into an unrealistic trance that was designed to enslave us, and now we are face-to-face with that demon. The demon I refer to is debt, and most all of us have some form of it. Not that debt is a bad thing in a bigger picture, but you have to have positive equity (I.E. house, transportation) to sustain a quality of life that you accept. Some people have found ways of living below “the grid”, and I admire that, but also know that I do not wish to live below “the grid”. I wish to live in the country our founding fathers and patriot’s fought and died for!

So with money being our first puzzle piece, we have to look at the US source of money, and that finger points to the Federal Reserve Banks of the United States. The Federal Reserve’s functions is:

“to provide for the establishment of Federal reserve banks, to furnish an elastic currency, to afford means of rediscounting commercial paper, to establish a more effective supervision of banking in the United States, and for other purposes.”

In other words, they are a bank for bankers, owned by bankers, and operated by bankers with very little oversight from our Federal Government. They have never been audited by anyone outside of their ranks and they not only control our monetary system, but they also control our gold supply. So as I think about the lunacy of this whole process, it becomes pretty clear who’s interest the banks are looking after. Even our current Chairman of the Board of Governors, Ben Bernake, admitted that the Federal Reserve was responsible for CAUSING the Great Depression.

“I would like to say to Milton and Anna: Regarding the Great Depression, you’re right. We did it. We’re very sorry.” –Ben Bernake

So now that we have a late confession, I can see a motive. The motive to use our current financial failings, excessive public greed, and debt slavery to inflate our dollar.

In*fla*tion –noun

1.

Economics. a persistent, substantial rise in the general level of prices related to an increase in the volume of money and resulting in the loss of value of currency

Our Government has allowed passage of $850 Billion dollars for “Toxic Assets Recovery Program” (TARP), which was completely abandoned the day after this measure was passed, and went directly to injecting capitol into banks with VERY little oversight. Meanwhile, the Fed slips 2 TRILLION dollars into our economy with NO oversight or approval, and the printing presses are STILL running at full steam. The cycle continues and will continue until the Federal Reserve and a select handful or privileged officials systematically ram our economy into the deepest crater of this planet, causing a catastrophic collapse of the greatest empire history has ever know.

What would happen if the US economy was worthless, and every “dollar” printed was worthless, or even laughable? Or Government would be forced to embrace a new system, right? Well fortunately that infrastructure is already in motion, isn’t that GREAT? They are calling it the North American Union (NAU), and it will be a borderless country between Mexico, US, and Canada. They even have a new currency devised for this “NAU”, they call it the “Amero”. If you think I am nuts, then I implore you to do your research.

The NAU will be very similar to the European Union that is already a done deal, with it’s currency the “Euro”. The infrastructure that is being placed coincides with current NAFTA agreements, and it will use a so-called “Super-highway” to transport goods from Mexico, to the USA, and into Canada. The ONLY stop that is required is in Kansas City, MO. and it’s aptly named “KC Smartport” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SmartPort). Authorities in Mexico would be required to scan all goods coming into the US, then they would stop into Kansas City (approximately 1000 miles). Once in Kansas City, they would be scanned again to make sure the cargo was consistent with records, then off they go to Canada.

Obviously there are several things that can go wrong with this plan. Drug smuggling would shoot through the roof, illegal immigration would be more out of control, and violence would escalate to new highs as people fight for their lands and rights.

So how does the government keeps tabs on all of this? Seems like it would be an impossible feat, unless you already had a plan in place that could be used to track us at any given moment on this entire planet and have access to every quiver of information about us. Medical records, bank access, educational records all accessible at the blink of an eye? Seems farfetched, but it’s legal! H.R. 418 was slipped into a package that was meant to be for increasing funds for the soldiers fighting in Iraq, and who can deny the troops? So the Real ID law was passed (2005) mandating that every state must adopt a new Federal approved driver’s license that would be used to track where we go. You won’t be able to enter a Federal building without one, board an airplane, nuclear power plant, or anything else the Department of Defense deems worthy.

These plans have even gone as far as discussing implanting micro ID chips under our skin at birth that will store all of our vital information. So if the government has all this control, what will they do with those that refuse to take a national ID card? My guess is something similar to Guantanamo Bay for dissenters or illegal immigrants. If they have ultimate control over our lives, who’s to say that if you were telling people about what life used to be like “before the chip”, and the government didn’t like what you had to say, they could just shut off your chip. Just like that, there goes all your money, your legal identification, and health records.

All of this is plausible, and it’s all legal in one form or another, and if this isn’t enough to make you wonder about the motives of our great leaders, then maybe you should put your head back in the sand and let the rest of us deal with the real world.

I refuse to write anything without offering ideas, or solutions. They may not be the right ones, but at least I am offering something up in reward to you reading all the way to this point. Here is a list of things you can do to fight back in accordance to a true patriot:

· Purchase a firearm or 2 and learn to use them to protect your home and family.

· Get cozy with your Congressmen, Representatives, and Senators. Call them at least 2 times a month until you get the action you want. It only takes about 10 minutes, take the time!

· Research as much as possible regarding these issues, and the plethora of other issues surrounding our civil liberties and freedom. Research now saves egg in the face later.

· Educate, encourage, and intervene! Get people involved by educating them about the truth they won’t hear on national news. Take it slow though because it’s a big jump!

· Lastly, band with like minded people!

Thanks for reading all of this and please feel free to leave comments or suggestions. Criticism is also good, to help fine tune my research and writing skills. We can win this fight, but it’s going to be long and painful, but with patience and fortitude, we WILL persevere!

United,

Bryon

Arizona Prohibits Real ID

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

(retrieved from http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Feature-Article.htm?InfoNo=034608 )

For Immediate Release
Contact: Senator Karen S. Johnson (602-926-3160)
Gov. Napolitano Approves Prohibition on Real ID
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed a bill today that prohibits the implementation of the REAL ID in Arizona. SB2677 received a Final vote of approval in the House last week by an overwhelming margin of 51 to 1. Napolitano’s signature was uncertain until today when she signed the bill into law.
The bill prohibits implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005, which was passed by Congress as part of a supplemental spending bill for tsunami relief and the War on Terror. The bill did not receive a hearing in either the House or the Senate, and the public was largely unaware of it until it had already been signed into law.
“Everyone thinks that the REAL ID is just about protecting us against terrorism,” said co-sponsor Senator Karen Johnson (R-18). “But it really represents a cash cow for technology companies as well as the birth of the National ID card, complete with all the biometric information that technology can handle – face recognition, fingerprints, etc.”
“Corporations which specialize in selling identity cards stand to gain millions of dollars in profits if the Real ID Act is implemented,” said Johnson, “so, of course, they’re eager for everyone to be required to carry a National ID card everywhere they go.” Two of those corporations are Digimarc ID Systems and L-1 – the Number 1 and Number 2 companies for the manufacture of state driver’s licenses and identity cards. L-1 is considered the main driver behind the REAL ID and last year had nearly $100 million in federal contracts involving identity cards. Digimarc spent $350,000 in the first six months of 2007 lobbying Congress on the Real ID Act. Apparently the two companies are soon to be merged, resulting in a powerhouse corporation, pushing the “identification-as-security” concept to the maximum in order to increase company profits as they add more and more biometric features to state driver’s licenses.
“It’s misguided to think that identification equals security,” says Johnson. “Identification is just identification – it doesn’t prove intent and it doesn’t stop terrorists. Indeed, terrorists will forge documents – as they always have – to obtain the identification they want to commit crimes. Making U.S. citizens carry identity papers to board a plane or enter a government building stinks,” says Johnson. “It’s odious, onerous, and a violation of our civil liberties.”
“I refuse to be tagged and numbered,” said Johnson. “Requiring people to carry papers takes away their freedom. There are other, better ways to stop terrorism and to protect us against criminals. The federal government needs to butt out and let the states handle driver licensing. It’s not the business of the Dept. of Homeland Security to tell us how to run our state.”
Real ID – SB2677
1. Proponents always claim that the sole purpose of the Real ID is to prevent another 9/11-type attack by disrupting terrorists travel. That is bogus. If the government really wanted to prevent such an attack, they would secure our borders, which would (1) cost less than implementing Real ID, (2) would be more effective at keeping terrorists out, and (3) would be less intrusive and less inconvenient for American citizens. Until the borders are secure, all the rosy pleas for the Real ID are just so much hogwash.
2. The Real ID will cost the states billions of dollars. The Dept. of Transportation estimates that in Arizona alone, it will cost $40 to $70 million to implement just in the first year, and $15 to $20 million in subsequent years. But they really don’t have a clue – they don’t know what the regulations are going to be yet. They are just estimating. It will depend on what the Rules say when they are finally issued.
They already do some things that will be part of the requirements. For example, they already check citizenship, or whether or not someone is legally authorized to be in the country. So that would not be an additional expense. But even factoring in that some things required by REAL ID are already being handled, the $40 to $70 million is over and above what we already do!!!
3. The Real ID is an invasion of privacy. Why should so much personal information be compiled on one place for so many people to have access to?
- medical history
- social security number
- insurance information
4. The Real ID increases the risk of Identity Theft. Identity theft is a major problem in Arizona already. Throwing everyone’s personal information – including social security numbers, birth dates, medical information, driver’s license and auto licensing information, etc. – into one massive data base just makes it easier for identity thieves to harvest identities for fraudulent purposes. The Real ID requires all Arizona driver’s license information to be compiled with all the information for the other 49 states and the District of Columbia into one massive database that will be accessible by thousands of clerks and government employees throughout the country. This is a horrendous idea – an invitation to identity theft on a massive scale.

Missouri will test federal Real ID program

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806220378

Missouri will test federal Real ID program

Driver’s licenses would have to meet national standard.

The Associated Press • June 22, 2008

Kansas City — Missouri will get $17 million to help develop and test
the Real ID program and will house a verification hub to help states
validate identification cards.

The federal Real ID Demonstration Grants were announced Friday by the
Homeland Security Department.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Revenue said the money will
help the state develop and test a national “verification hub,” a key
factor in allowing states to validate licenses and identification
cards.

“We would be a single access point for different states,” said David
Griffith, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Revenue. “Missouri
is in the position to improve security for all state driver’s
licenses.”

The Bush administration says Real ID’s requirement for more secure
identification will hinder terrorists and illegal immigrants.

Under Real ID, states would have to bring their driver’s licenses
under a national standard and link their license record-keeping
systems.

Implementation of Real ID would require the public to show need Real
ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other identification in order to
enter federal buildings or board airplanes.

But some states have viewed the act as an unfunded mandate, and
critics say it’s a violation of privacy for the government to have
access to so much information. In some states, residents have staged
protests condemning the Real ID Act.

Missouri Rep. Jim Guest, a King City Republican, has been a vocal
opponent of Real ID.

“I would oppose that even if they fund it,” he said Friday. “I don’t
think you can put a price on your privacy. This nation is at a
crossroads right now, and if we go down the road and lose more
freedoms, we’ll never get them back.”

Each of the 48 states that applied for federal grants to assist with
the program will get some funding.

While Missouri is set to lead the development of the “verification
hub,” four other states will also be instrumental, Homeland Security
officials said in a news release.

Florida, Indiana, Nevada and Wisconsin will each receive $1.2 million
to partner with Missouri for the hub testing and implementation.

Eventually, other states and territories will connect to the
verification hub and have the capability to verify applicants’ source
documents.

Real ID Really Invades Your Privacy and Is Really Unnecessary

Tuesday, May 27th, 2008

(a collaborated article by Kevin Tull and Larry Holland)

“Ways may someday be developed by which the government without removing papers from secret drawers can reproduce them in court and by which it will be enabled to expose to a jury the most intimate occurrences of the home”. Supreme Court Justice William Brandeis, 1928

Brandeis’ dissenting opinion in Olmstead v. United States, a wiretapping case, is often cited as an early example of the idea that invasion of privacy, in the sense of the Constitutional ban against unreasonable searches and seizures, is not merely defined as someone physically rifling through desk drawers and file cabinets. Eighty years later, an ultimate technological government intrusion of privacy is on the horizon. The Real ID Act of 2005 when implemented would create a de facto national I.D. card by establishing federal standards for state drivers’ licenses, under the auspices of preventing terrorism and to prevent illegal immigrants from getting fake identification cards.

Currently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to limit the official purposes of a Real ID license to those “listed by Congress in the law” (accessing federal facilities, boarding federally-regulated aircraft, and entering nuclear facilities). The passive Congress has not limited the DHS regarding the Real ID. Thus, DHS openly admits they “may consider expanding these official purposes through future rulemakings”. Since there are already federal requirements concerning identification to open a bank account, it is quite reasonable to speculate that DHS could require a real-ID compliant identification. Besides the proposed rules that would in effect require a national ID for DOMESTIC flights, it also is not far-fetched to imagine passports only being issued to those with Real-ID compliant licenses. There are just a couple of examples in hypothetically limitless expansion of “official purposes”. That inevitable expansion, coupled with the massive amounts of information that can be stored on the card (and therefore be in the system), raise concerns regarding privacy and ID theft.

As the official purposes and information are open-ended, so might be the availability of the data. Officially, the real ID would create a database that states could access without the permission of the state from which the information originated. By definition, the federal government (see DHS), in implementing the database, would have access to it. Add to this the fact that Real ID standards make information on the ID’s compatible with international biometric data-sharing standards, and that DHS has openly expressed a desire to share biometric data internationally, and you have cause for great concern.

While we understand that rigorous standards for identification can reduce the ability for illegal immigrants and terrorists to operate in this country, border security is the more direct solution. To the extent more rigorous identification standards help, we are certain that states can define and implement those standards, and indeed many have. States are also perfectly capable of cooperating with each other or with federal officials as necessary for particular criminal investigations. The temptations and security risks of a massive database of sensitive information about law-abiding Americans is simply unnecessary.

We commend one of the great national champions in this fight, Missouri state representative Jim Guest, whose “Legislators against Real ID” website was the source for much of this information.