Matthew Benson
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 12, 2008 12:00 AM

Throughout its history, the United States has rejected the idea of a national identification system. Yet, the Department of Homeland Security continues to push forward a system of identification that has been widely opposed. The REAL ID Act mandates that State driver's licenses and ID cards follow federal technical standards and verification procedures issued by Homeland Security. REAL ID also enables tracking, surveillance, and profiling of the American public.

Voter ID laws also take us one step closer to a “show your papers”
society. In this regard, they are part of a far-reaching agenda to
ensure the adoption of a de facto national identification card, which
has repeatedly met with opposition—and for good reasons.