Published Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:38 PM
Updated Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:39 PM
It's May 12, and South Carolinians are heading to the airport and walking into federal buildings without a problem. But things could have turned out differently.
Earlier this year, our Administration decided to say "no thanks" to a federal unfunded mandate called Real ID that would have established a de facto national ID card – costing you time in line at the DMV and money out of your pocket.
Instead, we asked that South Carolinians be treated like citizens of every other state when traveling, since our state's driver's licenses are already some of the most secure in the nation.
Fortunately, the Department of Homeland Security recognized our state's secure driver's licenses, and decided not to stop our citizens from flying or entering federal buildings – something that would have happened starting yesterday, May 11.
Real ID is a backdoor federal program that would require all fifty states to change their driver's licenses to effectively act as national ID cards. This law is fatally flawed for the way it was not debated and not funded from the federal level, and because it usurps prerogatives that have traditionally been granted to states and individuals.
I could go on and on with more of the details that you may or may not want to know, so I'll provide a few links in case you want to read more about the Real ID debate:
Our March letter to Secretary Chertoff regarding Real ID: http://scgovernor.com/news/releases/mar_08/3-31-2008.htm
Our April op-ed on Real ID to the Washington Times:
http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080414/COMMENTARY/303687521
And most recently, video of a Real ID event in Washington D.C. with the CATO Institute in May (6:25 minute mark): http://www.cato.org/realaudio/cpf-05-07-08.ram
(RealPlayer required http://www.real.com/ )
I'd also ask that you pass this email along to a friend or two who's concerned about the effects Real ID may have on their personal liberties and pocketbooks.
Thank you, and take care.
Mark Sanford
Governor of South Carolina