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June 28, 2005
Senator Richard Burr on Real ID
Yesterday, I received another one of those interesting letters postmarked from the United States Senate. Ripping into the envelope, I realized that this was due to the e-mails and faxes when I was fighting to get Real ID canned from Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief of 2005.
For those that are wondering, that is the full title of the Act.
Amused as I read on:
There have also been some concderns associated with the REAL ID Act about a national identification card. The REAL ID Act does not create a national identification card, rather it increases the security surrounding drivers' licenses and personal identification cards by setting new minimal standards that states must meet in order to have their cards used for federal purposes.
Maybe I missed something. If you mandate states to meet requirements so that the drivers' licenses can be used for federal purposes, is that not a national identification card then?
Then the Senator begins on how the REAL ID Act was brought into legislation due to some immigration issues, particularly in North Carolina. There is no doubt that the Senator is correct in stating that we have issues with illegal immigrants working in this state particularly. But REAL ID won't solve anything if you have government workers that do not bother with checking if the paperwork is fake or not. Thus the issue with 9/11 terrorists with North Carolina licenses.
I have to admit that while I am disappointed that Senator Burr cannot see through the plain issues of this Act, it will eventually come back and bite the people in the behind. Thank you for writing back, Senator. It is much appreciated.
Those of North Carolina: Contact your Senator Burr here.
Posted by darkmoon at June 28, 2005 11:11 AM
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Comments
I called Burr's office twice and was told both times, emphatically, that he did not support REAL ID and would not support it in any form what so ever. The second call I made (following up because I was supposed to get a callback that never came), the guy on the other end of the line went into great detail on how Burr and most Repubs were philosophically opposed to the national id, intrusion into our privacy, etc. When I challenged Burr's rep by pointing out the the Repubs were responsible for some of the most reprehensible REAL ID type legislation in our country's history - so his comments were hard to justify - he responded that Burr was aware of the recent history but was an old-school Repub that cherished our rights and protections. Blah, blah, blah.
I've heard the same crap from Price's, Dole's, Edward's offices - all politicos that have disregarded the cautions of the Founders. It's a real disappointment.
Posted by: WillR at June 28, 2005 12:26 PM
What's funny is that I've contacted Dole on multiple issues and never get a response back from her side. Makes you wonder about why people vote for her. Edwards has responded also.
I'm not big on national politicos mainly because their heads are somewhere else. At least I got a response though.
Posted by: darkmoon ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://life.firelace.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 28, 2005 12:42 PM
Glad to hear that I am not alone in being shunned by our dear Senator Dole. I have called and written her office probably a dozen times in the past year and have never once heard from her. Did she go back to Kansas?
Posted by: Ron Hudson at June 28, 2005 03:11 PM
No clue. *laugh* but I do know that one of the Editorial Board for Greensboro101 did have lunch with her at a function. I believe it was for Weaver Academy. I was invited, but I could not attend.
I know that they have staff members that probably respond to the emails and calls. But it's amazing how much more I pay attention to the other Senators since they actually bother to respond to lil' ol' me.
And this is exactly one of the reasons I REALLY like Sandy Carmany. While she is local and she doesn't have quite the load as a U.S. Senator (at least I would imagine), she actually responds to every e-mail personally! Thank you for representing District 5, Sandy!
National Politicos. Bah. Can't live with them, can't live without them. Wish someone would insert some common sense somewhere between the ears though. Just my two cents.
Posted by: darkmoon at June 28, 2005 03:30 PM