Sanford does the right thing on Real ID
Sunday, April 6, 2008 11:34 PM EDT
The REAL ID Act approved by Congress ostensibly was intended as a counter-terrorism measure. However, it ran into a lot of opposition from states.
The act would require expensive changes in driver’s licenses that would cost South Carolina taxpayers dearly. Its complex requirements have other time-consuming drawbacks, as well.
However, the State Legislature passed a law, and Governor Mark Sanford signed it, that prevents the state from complying with the act and Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) requirements.
For a while, it appeared South Carolinians would not be allowed to board airliners or enter federal buildings because the state was not going to comply before the deadline. Gov. Sanford was pressured to seek an extension. Wisely, he did not.
HE WROTE HOMELAND SECURITY Secretary Michael Chertoff, explaining objections and the state law he was obligated to uphold. Sanford noted the state had already made major security changes in driver’s licenses and other areas. That includes Department of Motor Vehicles employee screening. He also noted many other security measures that have been adopted. He also asked that South Carolina not be penalized. Some, including Montana and a few others that had not complied, were granted “passes” for the time being.
Fortunately, Chertoff approved an extension for South Carolina although it had not been requested. Nevertheless, the act is still there and the extension only provides extra time to comply, not a final solution.
Sanford also wrote to Chertoff about his objections to the act.
ONE OF HIS MAIN CONCERNS IS that the REAL ID Act was never debated by Congress or the American people. Sanford requested such action, and he should be heard.
When something of this magnitude is mandated without a comprehensive debate by the people’s representatives it should be reconsidered until the process is complete.
Concern about the act as it was presented was expressed long ago by Rep. Mike Pitts. He saw problems, and subsequent considerations by states reinforced his and Gov. Sanford’s concern. There is another factor, though, that is worrisome. The act would, in effect, lead to a national identity card ..... in other words, papers. That brings to mind the images from old movies that showed Hitler’s Gestapo demanding to see “papers.” That image is frightening. That alone argues for a new and closer look at REAL ID.