The REAL ID Act of 2005
Posted on 2006-05-03 at 07:52
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005---attached to one of those military appropriations bills that couldn't be turned down. It requires that all states adhere to a federal minimum standards with respect to the issuance and make of legal ID's (like your driver's license. Such federal minimums as biometrics, SSN, and personally-detailed microchips have been discussed.
The part that is interesting, however, is the state-level alternative. States that don't comply may find that their citizens will need a passport (a federally issued ID) to fly domestically. Perhaps you recall the old Soviet reference "Show me your papers."
Here's the fun part. If all the states comply, we'll never notice the new restriction on movement. But if even one state bucks the new system, then there will be a state where travelling in and out will require a federal ID.
Let's all raise a glass in the hopes that at least one state has the fortitude to say No.
Oh, and in case you think I'm making it up, you should read this article about the REAL ID Act and this site by the ACLU that talks about the problems with the REAL ID.