The credentialed white elites of the Northeast used to say that Black people weren’t smart enough to get ID. Now, after remarkable progress toward racial equity, they’re saying that it is they themselves who aren’t smart enough. REAL-ID will supposedly be required soon for getting through TSA. Maskachusetts began issuing REAL-ID in March 2018 (source). Folks in MA agree that Floridians are stupid and that Florida doesn’t run its state government properly, which is perhaps why Florida wasn’t able to begin issuing REAL-ID until January 1, 2010 (i.e., more than 8 years prior to MA; source):
I can’t figure out why physical ID cards are required. Wouldn’t it make more sense to do retina scans and have your ID looked up based on that? I don’t see why this is different, from a privacy perspective, than forcing people to get a picture taken and a plastic card issue. Is it that, in theory, the government could scan our retinas from a distance and track everyone who walks around a city? Privacy-oriented folks could simply wear mirrored glasses.
Some data from “Real ID deadline is weeks away and most states aren’t fully compliant yet” (CBS):
As of last week, New Jersey had the lowest compliance rate in the nation — just 17% of its state-issued IDs are Real IDs. Pennsylvania reported 26%, while Washington and Maine tell CBS News they are at 27% compliance. New York reports 43% compliance, and California has reached nearly 55% compliance. [Maskachusetts was at 57%]
For comparison, the CBS article notes that Florida is “virtually 100% compliant” and Texas is at 98% (both scores achieved without either state taxing personal income).
I flew into Singapore a couple years ago and instead of going through a typical customs area I entered a glass mantrap where a door let me in, I walked to the next door down a short corridor and about 3/4 of the way down the corridor a computer rendered female voice welcomed me by name, in English, to Singapore and the next door opened. Didn’t even have to break my stride.
Yeah, about that last ID we’ll ever need. The lion kingdom might get 1 flight out of it before a real ID 2.0 chip implant is required.
Philip. guess you missed youngsters fashion of wearing colored contacts. Only then, when wearing colored contact lenses is declared a crime, can iris scan substitute ID.
It just means they can’t fly or pass certain checkpoints. Not really a bad thing.
There is no requirement to get a compliant ID: you just need *some* from of Compliant ID *if* you want to do certain things. One of those is a passport, which I assume is more common in a highly-educated state than in the less educated states.
(I still agree that voter ID should be required.)
The two big ones are flying and being able to enter a federal building. This raises the question: If one is subpoenaed to testify in federal court and doesn’t have a RealID (and therefore can’t enter the courthouse), are they considered to be in contempt?
@ScarletNumber, this could actually be a God send for illegal migrants.
Since they don’t have a Real ID, starting May 7, 2025, it means their cases can’t be heard in federal buildings, and they can’t be flown out of the U.S. either. Liberals should be rejoicing!
> New Jersey had the lowest compliance rate in the nation — just 17% of its state-issued IDs are Real IDs
In our defense, this would require an in-person visit to the DMV, while a general license renewal can be handled via mail. It has also generally gone unnoted in the discourse that if one has a passport (or its card equivalent) one doesn’t need a RealID
There need be an in-person renewal requirement every 10 or 15 years for at least two important reasons:
1) To update your photo, so your driver’s license reflects your current appearance.
2) To conduct a vision check at the DMV, ensuring that individuals with impaired eyesight aren’t driving.
Here in the state of Maskachu$etts, individuals over the age of 75 are required to renew their driver’s licenses in person. Why not apply the same requirement to everyone, regardless of age?