REAL ID: Peace and Safety in the Name of Identification

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

Real ID Act, 2005.  Congress passed the legislation in May of 2005 in response to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks which were carried out by terrorists of which 18 of the 19 used fraudulent identification (including, but not limited to, driver's licenses) in order to be able to carry out their horrific endeavor.  President George W. Bush was in the White House at the time, and he gladly signed the “Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief Act” into law.  While I was appreciative that Mr. Bush was President of the United States, rather than Democrat Al Gore, the day the towers fell, the reality is that despite his "republican" label, like his daddy, Bush is a globalist.

Contained within the legislation that Mr. Bush signed that day was provisions for a new identification standard called the “REAL ID Act.”  These provisions requested that the States "voluntarily" issue their drivers’ licenses based on a new federal standard.  Failure to cooperate would result in limitations on travel for those who do not possess the new federally encouraged identification cards.

The idea behind the “REAL ID Act” seems benevolent enough.  It basically called for those who apply for motor vehicle licenses to say they are citizens, and that they do not pose a security risk to the United States.  We want security, don't we?

The proposed law established that each State in the United States would implement the new standard by May 11, 2008.  After that date, any persons seeking to obtain or renew a drivers’ licenses issued by a State would need to provide additional documentation to verify their identity (i.e., birth certificate, military identification, passport), documentation of residency address (such as with a utility bill), and documentation showing they are in the United States legally (i.e., birth certificate from a U.S. state or territory, U.S. passport, U.S. permanent residency card).

The deadline was extended to the end of 2009 when States asked for a postponement, and to this day all States have not completely fallen in line with this ID mandate...uh, err, I mean voluntary requirement.

While "enforcement" of the law (remember, the States are supposed to have a choice) was supposed to begin in April of 2014 when it came to air travel (only a REAL ID would be acceptable for being able to board a plane), the States were not falling into line as originally expected.  By the beginning of 2016 there were still a few States who were not in compliance, so it was put out that while anyone could still use air travel, if you did not have a REAL ID, a second acceptable form of identification (military ID, passport) was going to be needed in order to get on board.  On January 8 of 2016 the Department of Homeland Security pushed the "Phase 4" implementation date to January, 2018.

Some States, many of whom are still not within compliance, have complained of privacy concerns, and a few have even questioned the constitutionality of the federal identification provision.

The rule for needing a REAL ID in order to board a plane has now been pushed to October 1, 2020.

Some States have chosen to put an RIFD chip in their REAL IDs.  While it is not required by the federal provision, and in fact is not mentioned anywhere that I could find in terms of the federal provision, some States are adding the chip anyway.

The RFID (Radio Frequency ID) chip is a unique identifier (sort of like a bar code or magnetic strip) that also may be picked up by some devices remotely, or serve as a GPS marker.  This is where some people who value our liberty and privacy are truly up in arms.  Could these IDs be used to track every movement made by a holder of the ID?

While Homeland Security claims the REAL ID is not a "national ID", the reality is that it weaves together the driver's licenses of the various States in such a way, that it essentially is a national ID.  The government claims they have nothing but good intentions, but with anything, we have to be aware of the potential pitfalls, and expect that government will eventually follow a sinister path.

The U.S. Constitution was written to not allow the federal government to do such things.  The document was designed to limit the authorities of the federal government to keep the central government out of local issues.  Identification is a local issue.

There are no authorities granted by the U.S. Constitution granting to the U.S. Government any allowance to interfere with State identification systems, or to create its own national ID.  Such an allowance is not provided in the Constitution because the Framers realized that such interference in local issues would open up the opportunity for the creation of a police state.  The fear of a standing army that could be used against We the People was a very real concern of the Founders, so why would they give the federal government any other overreaching police powers such as any authority to administer a national ID, or tamper with local IDs?

The REAL ID is a federal registration of your person (one step worse than a federal registration of all firearms).  It makes sure the federal government has easy access to all of your information in one tight little package.  Easy to access, so it makes it easier to apprehend you if they decide you are an enemy of the state.  Once they add facial biometric identification technology to the whole thing, how long before we become "subjects" to a ruling class that monitors our every move, and eventually decides it is their job to approve or disapprove any movement throughout the country, especially if they believe you are dangerous because you disagree with them politically?

They might as well put us in gray uniforms and slap a number on our back.

While we have not experienced abuse of the program by the federal government at this point, and it has actually been difficult for them to get it into place, the reality is the potential for abuse is incredibly huge.  At what point does it become mandatory?  At what point does all of the IDs end up with GPS devices capable of tracking our movements?  At what point will it become impossible to be "off the grid" if someone so desires, and in fact "illegal" to be of the grid if someone so desires?

REAL IDs are a step in the direction of us becoming a "surveillance society," where every move is tracked, and the red tape will become so suffocating that it will become impossible to get through the lines to get anywhere.

In addition to the tremendous cost of liberty, there is also a monetary cost.  New offices will need to be created for the monitoring.  A new department will need to be erected to ensure the program functions as the federal government desires.  Will taxes eventually be increased to pay for REAL IDs?

I remember the United Nations pushing an idea for national identification cards that would tie into a global citizen ID system.  Is that what this is?  Could these REAL IDs eventually be tied into a globalist identification system that could later be used to round up all persons who pose as opposition to a worldwide progressive regime?

They tell us they have the best of intentions with the REAL ID Act, to protect us from terrorism, and make travel easier in the long run - but we must remember, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

And remember, they are doing this without constitutional authority.

For more information, visit these websites:

Homeland Security: REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions for the Public

Department of Homeland Security: REAL ID Proposed Guidelines, Questions and Answers

Orange County's Credit Union: The Real Truth About REAL IDs

Sacramento Bee: California issues federally mandated REAL ID driver's license

Technovelgy: What is RFID

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