by Mark Lerner (August 28, 2008) Constitutional Alliance
July was an extremely busy and fruitful month. Mark spoke in Oklahoma before attending the Freedom 21 Conference in Dallas, Texas. Representative Rohrer spoke at the Freedom 21 Conference on the issue of Real ID. Representative Rohrer is a strong supporter of the Stop Real ID Coalition and the Coalition strongly supports Representative Rohrer’s legislation in Pennsylvania. After that conference, Mark made a trip to speak in Arkansas.
We launched a new website stoprealidcoalition.com that will replace our blog. Our focus in August was raising public awareness about the Real ID Act of 2005, working with state legislators on meeting their Real ID goals, and the rampant use of biometrics. The Coalition attended a conference of like-minded people in Arizona.
In September the Coalition will proceed to Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.. In August the Constitutional Alliance was formed. The Stop Real ID Act Coalition joined the Constitutional Alliance because the goals of both groups fit well together.
Many people are joining the coalition to insure the Real ID Act is repealed. Our message does not just pertain to the Real ID Act 2005 itself. We are opposed to the collection of biometric samples and/or biometric data by states and the federal government. It is our position that existing biometric samples and data must be wiped clean from state and federal databases. We do appreciate it may not always be possible to wipe clean existing biometric samples or data in one clean sweep. That being said we request that the biometric samples and/or data be denigrated until the biometric samples and data are not compatible with biometric software.
We also are opposed to states collecting the social security numbers of citizens and maintaining those social security numbers in state databases. We do believe there is a legitimate need for law enforcement to be able to maintain biometric samples and/or data when a person is arrested for a felony. We also appreciate law enforcement may have a need for an individual’s biometric samples and/or data while performing an investigation. It is our position that in the case of an investigation law enforcement must obtain a court order authorizing the collection of biometric samples and/or data. If that person is subsequently not charged, acquitted or charges are dismissed then any biometric samples or data must be removed from the appropriate database.
We do realize that current federal laws/programs/initiatives such as the E-Passport and the Federal Welfare Reform Act are in conflict with our positions. E-Passport is another tool the federal government is using to insure Americans are enrolled into a single global biometric identification system. The Welfare Reform Act includes the requirement that each state collect the SSN’s of all drivers to assist in the enforcement of child support laws. We are focusing right now primarily on insuring the Real ID Act 2005 is repealed. We also are insuring that the Real ID Act or provisions of it, do not comeback in another form. Simply put, it is our position that the federal government has no constitutional authority to mandate what states do or do not do regarding the issuance of state identification including the issuance of state driver’s licenses.
This month promises to be an exciting and beneficial time period. We are working with other like minded people and organizations who not only oppose the Real ID Act but also the Trans-Texas Corridor/NAFTA Super Highway and the Security and Prosperity Partnership./North American Union. We are not yet at liberty to discuss the details. We will discuss the details once a final agreement or position statement is agreed upon by all parties concerned. We expect the mission statement to be in place well before the end of August.
We are asked frequently about our position on the use of biometrics by business owners, companies and organizations. We are not in favor of the use of biometrics at all. We do appreciate the right of an employer/organization to make this determination independently of what we believe. We do believe that most business owners, companies or organizations that are informed about not just the benefits of the use of biometrics but also the risks will decide not to use biometrics. There is a specific instance we are aware of where individuals are being forced to supply their fingerprints before they can be accredited in the field they work in. We cannot discuss this in more depth yet because all the details are not available as of this time. We have reason to believe that the biometric samples/data required to be accredited are being shared with a data mining company. It appears now that the data mining company is willing to sell the biometric samples/data for a price. We will have more on this in the near future.
We appreciate all the support provided by those that have joined the Stop Real ID Coalition. Thanks to the generosity of many we are able to continue the fight. People in Oklahoma have gone way past the call of duty to insure we are able to not just continue the fight but win the fight.
In September we will be back in Washington D.C.. We will have more support than ever before. Mark will be meeting with various committee people including counsels for lawmakers. He will also be meeting with a few Senators and Congressmen/Congresswomen. We have a seat at the table and a loud voice. That voice gets louder with each organization and person who joins in our efforts. We have and will always maintain that our efforts are those of a team not just one individual. We welcome any comments, assistance or questions related to the work we are doing.
We ask that each person who agrees with our positions please share our web site with others and ask those others to do the same. There is strength in numbers. Our numbers are growing by the day.
About The Author 
Mark Lerner is a co-founder of the Constitutional Alliance, an alliance of groups and individuals who support the Mission Statement.