http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,6...tory_page_next1

 

Legislation supporting a standardized national driver's license may have won unanimous approval in the Senate on Tuesday, but the bill's apparently smooth passage left some jagged edges in its wake.

 

The Real ID Act appeared in take-it-or-leave-it spending legislation, which effectively forced lawmakers to sign on to the whole measure even if they disagreed with a portion of it. Several Republican and Democrat senators who cast favorable votes for the bill simultaneously railed against the provision authorizing the new driver's license rules.

 

Senators opposing the act reluctantly passed it because it was slipped into a larger spending appropriations bill that authorized emergency funding for the Iraq war and tsunami victim relief.

 

What does it mean to you?

 

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.

 

I for one support our new overlords

One thing it will help with is ID checking. I know a number of times people have been denied buying alcohol or even entering a bar because the people looking at the ID have no clue if it's fake or not.

Now, how exactly does one obtain a federally approved ID Card?

 

The government could really stick it to illegal immigrants if proof of citizenship/naturalization papers are required..

Edited May 13, 200520 yr by Flash Tizzle

Now, how exactly does one obtain a federally approved ID Card?

 

The government could really stick it to illegal immigrants if proof of citizenship/naturalization papers are required..

 

Apparently, the government is more concerned about US citizens being identifiable than illegal immigrants.

You think they wont develop a fake biometric ID in three years?

 

I actually don't have a problem with a federal ID card. Since you need a drivers license or state issued ID for so many things these days anywhere - having a national standard is not necessarily a bad thing. What worries me is who controls the ID database. The government or a private corporation? At least when the government runs the database, citizens can hold those who screw up accountable.

Sounds good to me, as long as they don't charge an arm and a leg for it.

Sounds good to me, as long as they don't charge an arm and a leg for it.

 

They are going to be expensive. The states have already begun b****ing about how much it is going to cost up upgrade to be able to check all of this info, and it will also make on-line renewals impossible.