Originally published March 30 2015
Congress works to implement Orwellian biometric ID system to constantly monitor citizens' daily lives
by J. D. Heyes
(NaturalNews) Life in post-Constitutional America has progressively become less free, as evidenced by the actions of the federal government and the Congress. One of the latest grand schemes is the resurrection of a previously disclosed, and opposed, plan to track every single one of us.
As reported by The New American magazine, the federal government, over the years, has failed to convince states, on their own, to adopt a national identification system known as REAL ID, a Bush-era concept developed by the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS) using technology to verify citizenship. The problem is, the technology would also allow for tracking, much like the retail industry uses RFID - radio frequency identification - to track the movement of goods.
Since about 2005, a majority of state governors have opposed REAL ID, which was initially passed as an anti-terrorism measure in 2004, and which requires the standardization of driver's licenses and ID cards, for one, over concerns about privacy and the cost of compliance. The 2005 law went into effect this year.
What happened to federalism and the Tenth Amendment?
Now, as noted further by TNA, there is a renewed push to formalize REAL ID on a national scale because states continue to oppose it, in the name of fighting illegal immigration:
The controversial plan, embedded in an immigration-enforcement bill, has been in the works for years, but has consistently been met with stiff opposition from liberty-minded grassroots organizations and activists. While the plan has failed in previous Congresses thanks to a groundswell of opposition, critics of the measure say that without prompt action, the unconstitutional scheme could soon become a reality.
That federal measure, the Legal Workforce Act, seeks to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining jobs in the U.S. One of the more troubling aspects, however, is that the legislation would mandate a national ID card for every American as a condition of working. In addition, every employer in the country would be required to purchase "E-Verify" technology that accesses a national database run by the federal government to see if potential employees have the right to being employed in the country.
Under provisions of the initial REAL ID legislation in the previous administration, notes DHS government approval of licenses is required before Americans can access government buildings or, eventually, board an airplane.
DHS, on its web site, notes:
The REAL ID Act of 2005:
-- Establishes minimum standards for the production and issuance of state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and authorizes grants to assist states in implementing the requirements;
-- Prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official uses driver's licenses and identity cards from states unless the Department of Homeland Security determines that the state meets the standards. Official uses are defined as accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally-regulated commercial aircraft.
States don't want it but may get it anyway
The implications to privacy are the most disturbing to critics, including former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, now chairman of the Campaign for Liberty.
"Every time any citizen applies for a job, the government would know - and you can bet its only a matter of time until 'ID scans' will be required to make even routine purchases, as well," Paul warned, adding that "statists in both parties have been fighting to ram their radical national ID-database scheme into law" for years."
"In fact, this scheme was a key portion of the infamous so-called 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform' bills both parties have tried to ram through," he continued, as reported by The New American. And now, Paul says, some in Congress believe they have found a way to impose their national ID: Drop the amnesty provisions and focus on immigration "security."
"The 'security' members of both parties in the U.S. House want doesn't target any U.S. border," Paul added. "Instead, it's meant to create an all-out police state within them."
Several states have still opted out of the program, but the federal legislation, if it passes, would make their opt-out a moot point.
Sources:
http://www.thenewamerican.com
http://www.nga.org
http://www.pewtrusts.org
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr1147/text
https://epic.org/privacy/id_cards/
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