THE LAST WORD: Two evils

"Governors and legislators also are looking to the next president to end a bitter dispute between the states and federal government over new nationwide rules to make driver’s licenses more secure. Several states have rebelled and refused to comply with the Real ID law. Not only have states received little federal money to defray the estimated $4 billion cost of revamping identity-verification procedures in driver's license bureaus, but critics also say the program is a threat to personal privacy and an intrusion by the federal government.

McCain supports the rules and has acknowledged the burden on states but has not said how he would pay for it. Obama opposes the program. Rendell said in Denver that the program “is going down” no matter who is elected Nov. 4."

- STATELINE.ORG on Real ID, McCain vs. Obama: The difference for states

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers,

It is my sincerest assessment at this time if McCain or Obama want the Anti-Real ID vote, they are going to have to get a different voting record and history for representing people on this issue or start creating one.

We will be watching for any comment to the contrary, but you may file Real ID representation with other civil liberties issues. One thing I have said recently is that both the Democratic and Republican parties tend to cherry pick which parts of the Constitution they uphold. This dictates the climate for freedoms in American life. Certain civil liberties end up being trendier to uphold than others depending on which party levies Judicial, Congressional and Executive powers.

If actions taken at the DNC/RNC are any reflection of the future of civil liberties infringments becoming a hip-retro trend for military and policing, the Republicans are beefer-than-thou. The DNC was only slightly more humane.

Unfortunately for the Obama Campaign, what McCain has going for him- certainly not to his personal credit- is that both McCain and Palin are from states that have banned civic implementation of the Real ID. However, we are not really comprehensively pleased about the Republican's plan for progressive bankruptcy and continuance of foreign policies in the middle east. Obama voted for $300 K in funding to move the Real ID Act forward in Illinois. However, I'm fairly sure that he would listen to the people of Illinois if they piped up collectively and decided to go against Real ID's. That's my asessment of Obama the candidate - not of his press corp or of his foreign policy handlers, who obviously have no concern for the tagging and policing of the American people. To the contrary, they intend to maxx out their 9-11 credit card on the backs of the U.S. people.

I just wish there was a difference in McCain and Obama on this. There really isn't. Who hasn't heard about the 100 years of war? There isn't a genuine approach that is honest and refreshing.
Look to the Third Party Candidates featured in this blog for that.

If we turn to the Obama/Biden ticket the reality appears to be nauseatingly bleak. Biden authored a preliminary draft to introduce Real IDs. In other words, he's an early adopter of the Real ID systemic program for mass social management. The FISA vote put more nails in the coffin of doubt about the U.S. sustaining it's illegitimate expansion of executive powers against the wellbeing of the American justice system.

That doesn't mean we can turn to John McCain, because Palin "allowed" Real ID to be stopped in Alaska. Palin has given breath to the lungs of the winded McCain campaign, but I am not convinced that she will be a shot caller in the White House. McCain's choice for Palin as a running mate may be the "earmark" of the aging Maverick. Palin is a Washington outsider invited inside to help ailing and anemic policies composed of bad ideas. It means good things for McCain ; not necessarily good things for changing the direction of the country. Palin's best work may get shelved as the Vice Presidential placeholder while brunting the Republican party's tow line. Gun rights advocates shouldn't be overconfident that they have someone in their corner. If we look ahead, American SS-Gestapo tactics demonstrated at the RNC are just some of the fun things that will continue to as planned under McCain/Palin.

THERE IS ONLY VIGILANCE

There is no resting assurance or promise for those concerned with Real ID and an executive election. We can watch neo-conservative tacticians spin Real ID as SUPER AWESOME IMMGRATION POLICY as the databases are built for your Social Security number to be a sitting duck for identity thieves. We can watch neo-liberals claim to "unite a divided country" by not lifting a finger to shore up civil liberties. It's the same result - so the burden is on you.

You are on your own. We need to get a national amendment that stops us from being cataloged, so our identity keys aren't splayed for the world of digital villians to feast on. We need to get passports if that is what is required of us to leave this country. We need to stop being so generous with our identity documents when asked of us. Pay in cash. Carry a video camera with you when you drive. Make friends with lawyers. Get behind worker's unions. Volunteer with voter rights groups to keep tabs. Go see your Congressman. Whatever you do, don't accept your national ID card.