Mar 06 2008
South Carolina Continues to Resist Real ID
South Carolinians could face airport security delays starting this spring if Gov. Mark Sanford decides not to comply with a federal identification law passed by Congress in 2005.The law, called Real ID, would allow government identifications to be issued only after new security measures have been met.
South Carolina, along with Maine, Montana and New Hampshire, have not complied with the law nor filed for an extension.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said states have until March 31 to file for an extension. If they do not, their driver’s licenses will no longer be acceptable ID for airline travel. Starting May 11, travelers would have to rely instead on a passport, a military ID or undergo individual screening before they can board a flight.
Sanford, like many other state government leaders across the country, has been critical of the new program, arguing it is an unfunded, multimillion-dollar mandate from the federal government. The governor signed legislation last year declaring South Carolina would not participate in Real ID.
Screw the Feds. I fully support Sanford in this effort to resist moving to the Real ID. It’s nothing more than a Federal power grab and there is no way they can guarantee that people will be protected from identity theft. Furthermore, this will cost taxpayers of this state millions of dollars a year and for what? Will it really make air travel safer? Not if they keep patting down old ladies and ignoring those who fit the standard profile of a terrorist.
