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State representative warns of National ID Card
Plan could wreak havoc with privacy, freedom, says Rep. Jim Guest
By: Angie Anaya Borgedalen
State Rep. Jim Guest is a man on a crusade: to stop implementation of the National Real ID Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005.
If allowed to move forward as proposed by the Department of Homeland Security, the act could threaten the religious freedom, privacy and personal security of Americans, the states' right to issue identification and the nation's sovereignty, Guest said.
Guest, a Republican from King City, brought his message to the Liberty Rotary Club Aug. 22.
“Freedom is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” Guest said. “It is an American issue.”
Not only would a national identification system link citizens' information among the states but around the world. He said the card would be required to board aircraft and enter federal buildings to transact business such as Social Security or Medicare. The national identification card could eventually be required to contain information on bank accounts, employment and medical history.
Guest said anyone's information would be available globally, wreaking havoc with personal information such as Social Security numbers, full legal names, addresses, driver's license numbers and birthdays.
“We should be very concerned,” Guest said. “This has no judicial or legislative oversight.”
Hackers routinely now steal sensitive information from public and private computers, creating monumental problems for those whose identification has been stolen, Guest said.
“How is government going to protect your personal data?” he said.
Rotarian Dr. Sam Chapman, who invited Guest to speak, said he wasn't too concerned initially because he thought the ID card would be similar to a driver's license.
“After listening to Jim, I don't think it's such a good idea,” Chapman said.
In an effort to stop the implementation state by state, Guest said he had launched Legislators Against Real ID, a movement that is gaining momentum. Currently the national ID system is set to be implemented by May but states can request extensions no later than Feb. 1, he said.
Rep. Tim Flook said he supported Guest's efforts and had joined in sending a strong message to Washington, D.C., that Missouri wanted this act repealed.
“National security is important, but this is big government at its worst, which almost always leads to more problems than they were worried about,” Flook said.
In the wake of the 9/11 attack by terrorists, Guest said the federal government was overacting and threatening the freedom of law-abiding Americans. He said that if terrorists or others entering the country illegally wanted any type of false identification they could now buy it on the black market.
Guest said it was estimated to cost approximately $23 billion to implement the new ID system.
“We could use that money to better control our borders,” he said. “Hopefully we can get this stopped.”
Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or aborgedalen@npgco.com.
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If allowed to move forward as proposed by the Department of Homeland Security, the act could threaten the religious freedom, privacy and personal security of Americans, the states' right to issue identification and the nation's sovereignty, Guest said.
Guest, a Republican from King City, brought his message to the Liberty Rotary Club Aug. 22.
“Freedom is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” Guest said. “It is an American issue.”
Not only would a national identification system link citizens' information among the states but around the world. He said the card would be required to board aircraft and enter federal buildings to transact business such as Social Security or Medicare. The national identification card could eventually be required to contain information on bank accounts, employment and medical history.
Guest said anyone's information would be available globally, wreaking havoc with personal information such as Social Security numbers, full legal names, addresses, driver's license numbers and birthdays.
“We should be very concerned,” Guest said. “This has no judicial or legislative oversight.”
Hackers routinely now steal sensitive information from public and private computers, creating monumental problems for those whose identification has been stolen, Guest said.
“How is government going to protect your personal data?” he said.
Rotarian Dr. Sam Chapman, who invited Guest to speak, said he wasn't too concerned initially because he thought the ID card would be similar to a driver's license.
“After listening to Jim, I don't think it's such a good idea,” Chapman said.
In an effort to stop the implementation state by state, Guest said he had launched Legislators Against Real ID, a movement that is gaining momentum. Currently the national ID system is set to be implemented by May but states can request extensions no later than Feb. 1, he said.
Rep. Tim Flook said he supported Guest's efforts and had joined in sending a strong message to Washington, D.C., that Missouri wanted this act repealed.
“National security is important, but this is big government at its worst, which almost always leads to more problems than they were worried about,” Flook said.
In the wake of the 9/11 attack by terrorists, Guest said the federal government was overacting and threatening the freedom of law-abiding Americans. He said that if terrorists or others entering the country illegally wanted any type of false identification they could now buy it on the black market.
Guest said it was estimated to cost approximately $23 billion to implement the new ID system.
“We could use that money to better control our borders,” he said. “Hopefully we can get this stopped.”
Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or aborgedalen@npgco.com.
Comments on "State representative warns of National ID Card"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.Barbara Holloway wrote on Sep 1, 2007 9:51 AM:
" This is a wonderful and accurate assessment of the Read ID Act. I hope every person in the country will be together in trying to repeal it. We are in big trouble if this goes through because it is only the beginning of Big Brother! "