There’s a running joke in our office about me and REAL ID. Whenever someone wants to conjure up feelings of frustration, fear, or anger in me, just bring up the topic of REAL ID. Immediately I will start a rant about how much I dislike this legislation.
REAL ID was one of the first issues I worked on when I joined the ACLU of MAINE. It’s unbelievably frustrating that today, just weeks away from my second anniversary, we sent out an action alert about PASS ID, the REAL ID revival.
At the beginning of this long saga, the federal government told us we had to implement REAL
ID.
So many fights. So many victories and losses.
It’s time to put this issue to rest once and for all. Now there are two bills at the federal level – one to revive REAL ID and one to repeal it. Click on the links to learn more about the specifics. REAL ID was a bad idea to begin with, and time and time again our state has taken that stand. It’s time we come to reasonable place where we are both safe and free. Call Senator Snowe (207-874-0883) and Senator Collins (207-780-3575) and ask them to oppose PASS ID (S. 1261). Call Congresswoman Pingree (207-774-5019) and Congressman Michaud (207-764-1036) and ask them to support the REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2009 (HR. 3471).
For a comprehensive history of the issue, visit www.realnightmare.org.