Sanford: State won't comply with REAL ID

READ SANFORD'S LETTER

Gov. Mark Sanford said today the state will not comply with the federal Department of Homeland Security's standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. The decision means S.C. residents could be subjected to extra security screenings when boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings.

The federal REAL ID program was instituted after 9/11 to make IDs fraud- and tamperproof. Sanford had until today to make a decision about whether to seek an exension to comply with REAL ID.

Sanford argued in a letter to Homeland Security that S.C.'s IDs are already more secure than most states and cover most of the standards outlined by Homeland Security, which require drivers to provide more documentation to be granted a license.

Sanford also cited the General Assembly's 2007 law that says the state will not comply with what lawmakers have said is a costly, unfunded federal mandate.

"I cannot authorize the implementation of REAL ID or confirm our state's compliance with its requirements in the future," Sanford wrote in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security. "As you know, South Carolina has enacted legislation that prevents the state from complying with REAL ID, and I am duty bound to comply with the laws of our state."

Sanford asked Homeland Security to spare S.C. citizens from additional security screenings. If the federal agency doesn't grant Sanford's request, it means S.C. travelers will be subject to additional security screenings starting in mid-May.

Comments

[John P. Baker]

So now we will get to see if it is the US Department of Homeland Security, or more likely, the US Department of Extortion.

[Em]

Mark Sanford is an unreasonable fool whose action, or rather, non-action, will have a negative effect on all South Carolinians. It is apparent that the interests and concerns of his constituents are meaningless to this moron we call Governor. He's an embarrassment to the State. I thought David Beasley would be the worst Governor in recent history, but I see that Mr. Sanford now holds that undistinguished position. Shame on you, Mark Sanford. Shame on the voters who re-elected this idiot.

[Chris]

Awesome! Thank you Gov Sanford for standing up against the feds and for our own personal privacy. Also The State may want to consider proof reading their articles before they post them, look at all the spelling errors..

[Andy]

Good for Governor Sanford! It's ridiculous to have such a federal law especially when it is an unfunded mandate that states can ill afford, particularly with the current economic crunch. I am delighted to see our governor standing up the federal govt on this matter and hope he keeps up the good work. It's better to have a few extra minutes of checking in a security line than to allow the federal government to dictate state policy and mess up the state budget, not to mention asking our governor to go against our state law.

Ditto with Chris and the spelling errors comment. I found at least 3 in what you allege is Sanford's letter.

[anonymous]

Sanford just put out the welcome mat...
...for criminals in other states that would otherwise have to comply with REAL ID.

Come to South Carolina! No REAL ID Required!

SANFORD, BY HIS NON-COMPLIANCE WITH REAL ID IS ATTRACTING CRIMINALS TO SOUTH CAROLINA

[David in Irmo]

Thank you governor. I have to admit I have not always been a fan of yours
but to take a stand and say enough is enough I applaud you!

If the federal government is not going to show fiscal responsibility then let us as a state lead by example.

Based on the numbers I have seen it would be less expensive for the state to pay for each citizen to have a passport then to implement Real ID.

So let us stand up and say NO when we are in the right there is way to much
complancency in America.

[Larry]

Don't blame the Gov, he's following the law. Blame the morons in the General Assy, for their political posturing and their chest thumping red-neck attitudes. Quite frankly, it's what we've come to expect for the state of SC...at the bottom of what's good and the top of what's bad.

All you folks who think their position is wonderful, best show up WAY ahead of time if you are flying anywhere...hope you get strip-searched.

I've got my trusty passport ready to go.

[Frank]

Nice to see we actually have a governor with the intestinal fortitude to stand up to our beheamoth federal government. Thank God! Sanford for President!

[Jon]

Well Em, you're right. Governor Sanford's courageous action today may make things inconvenient for South Carolinians. Often, standing up for what is right can cause you trouble.

As a South Carolinian, I am quite pleased to be troubled by an increasingly over-reaching federal government in order to stand against its wrong-headed policies. RealID is another real step towards a federal police state and should be fought vigorously.

Thank you Governor!

[Jon]

Dear Anonymous re: The "welcome mat for criminals":

You've been watching too much Fox News Network.

RealID is a criminal act against the American people, playing on the same fears you have witlessly subscribed to.

Fight RealID. Save Freedom and Independence.

[John P. Baker]

For those here who disagree with Gov. Sanford on Real Id, let me suggest that you first do some reading. Take a look at the Federal Act which established Real Id, including the funding, or rather the lack thereof. Then take a look at South Carolina's current requirements. Finally, read Governor Sanford's letter. Then tell me who is in the wrong. South Carolina has been ahead of the curve. The Federal Government is planning to expand $200 million on Real Id, out of an estimated cost of at least $9 billion, perhaps as much as $23 billion. Guess who is to pick up the rest of the costs. Finally, the 9/11 terrorists obtained valid visas from the State Department. So why do we need Real Id? So that the Federal Government can track every American citizen. Anyone remember George Orwell?

[Graham Dugas]

The Real ID is just an internal passport. It is no more secure than a regular drivers license. Just look how "private" our regular passport data is. Just two weeks ago Anna Nicole Smith, Obama, Hillary and many others had their data rifled through by federal employees snooping into things that they promised would remain private. Don't believe their "promises" which most people know are lies.

[John M. Sutton]

Thank you Gov. Sanford! The Feds have long forgotten our, the people's defense against tyranny - the Constitution. The Homeland Security has violated a little piece of that - the 10th Amendment, and the Feds do not have the power or the right to force this upon us in the great state of South Carolina.
As for criminals, no worries there. Get your Concealed Weapons Permit - we are our own best defense!
Hooray for Freedom!

[anonymous]

For all those who do not have a US passport: Have fun standing in line with the "terrorists" at airport. SC citizens will now have the singular honor of trying out the "backscatter" x-ray machine and the "puffer." Thank you Governor Sanford for making your state citizen's airline travel so much easier and protecting our privacy rights. Instead of simply asking for a non-binding extension, with no requirement of agreeing to comply with REAL ID, the governor has decided it was more beneficial to do a little political grandstanding. Thankfully, McCain is not seriously considering him for vice president.

[Fargo51]

I don't normally say stuff like this, but at the rate we're going, we will have to show our "papers" to travel from one city to the next, just like the Nazi's required.

If a bad guy wants to truely do something bad, there is no amount of "fool proof" documentation that will stop him.

It's just like a lock. A lock is to keep honest people out. The dishonest will find some way to break in.

[Monte]

I had to show my naturalization papers to get my SC drivers license. That should be enough for real ID

[Warren]

The Gov. and state legislator are standing up to the increasing power of federal government. Remember states rights? All of you liberals need to look up the 10th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
And by the way, it is difficult to get a SC Drivers license. Ask any SC teenager about supplying a birth certificate, etc.

[Caroline]

I think it is important for the citizens of South Carolina to realize that this issue is not based on air travel, it is concerning states rights and the federal government over stepping their boundaries. I feel sorry for those citizens who are so manipulated by the media that they believe this is simply an issue of wait times at an airport. Please read Sanford's letter and understand why South Carolina is doing the right thing.

Go Sanford! Job well done!

[Bubba]

All of you who think this is some kind of "states' rights" issue...what a bunch of malarkey. This is nothing but stubborn Mark Sanford causing inconvenience and problems for the people of South Carolina and to prove what he thinks is an important point. What an embarassment to our state.

[IntertubeAnon]

Please Bubba, grow a spine. Your neocon attitude is an embarrassment to those in this state who actually understand the constitution. Anonymous and yourself should feel free to go to any other state that is bending over backwards (and forwards) to the federal government.

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsel or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.
Samuel Adams "

Amazing how subservient the people get when they are under the illusion that they are safer. Despite all of South Carolina's deficiencies, I am glad to live in a state where the 10th amendment has not been written off.

[Derek]

Thank you Gov. Sanford. What most people don't know who support REAL ID is that it will align all of our personal information onto our driver's license or be it national ID card. It's about time we take back the over possessive powers of the Federal gov't.

[Daniel Roberts]

For those of you who are slamming Sanford, you better google the Bill of Rights and read the 4th and 5th Amendments, and read them carefully. The Real ID Act is violating your Rights to more than just privacy, but security of your own identify documents, or in other words, your papers. There is a darn good reason why they are supposed to be protected and not exploited, and it has ZERO to do with security, and everything with tracking and controlling the population. If you can't figure out how that is done, then don't blame others for your lack of knowledge. They knew how in 1776 just as much as today on exploiting your compliance, your choices and your permissions with this information. Don't stop fighting for what is yours and yours only, your Identity. Support Gov Sanford for protecting you, it's the least you can do!

[Gary Watts]

Good call this time, but SC bought into the seatbelt law that requires that we wear a seatbelt (Or the law that legalizes profiling). Seems like just yesterday that our right was decided for us... I usually wear mine anyways, but the idea is getting clearer.

[AJ Kawai]

I applaud your state for not bending backwards to those who wish to take away every civil right we have enjoyed and was written in the constitution. We, in CA will hopefully be next. It is time for us as people to wake up to what is happening in this country and stand up as FREE people. The propaganda is that it makes us safer--it does the opposite. I, for one would rather put up w/a little inconvenience to make a stand for my freedoms. Besides, NO ONE can tell us what to do unless we lie down and let them stomp all over us. With many states beginning to say no, implementing legislation to refuse "compliance" to this unconstitutional act, I say there will be no inconveniences except for those who cannot implement more control and power over us. Thank you, Gov. Sanford for standing up for the constitution. Make no excuses for any possible inconveniences which will NOT happen.

[Zoe Nicholson]

God please help him

[ra]

The drivers license is an excise tax instrument used to tax movable objects and cannot be used lawfully to identify any living ,breathing,Hu-man it only deals with chattel property.The real ID act will force people in a positive light to prove your nationality and pedigree.If Italians,Turks,English,and Chinese are forced to proclaim their free National name and religion before the constitutional government of the united States of America,it is no more than right that the law be forced upon all American citizens alike.The Great Binding Law Gayanashgwa and principle 111 of the United Nations Declaration of the rights of the Child mandates that "Every Child Shall,at birth have the right to a Name and Nationality.I have not seen any nation or place on any world map called White land or Black land so these political caste terms and slave brands i.e Negro,Black,colored.All parties.sincere in their desire for "just" resolutions, lawful recourse and remedy;beseech those in the chair'of "Rule" authority or mandate, de facto or dejure, to go back to the "Law of Peace" and convene for the People.End the Confusion end the unnecessary divisions. Respect Justice.South Carolina still after 350 yrs does not want to give up her slaves and is still in rebellion against the federal government and the constituttional standards.All rights and immunities are rooted in sovereignty.All sovereignty is rooted in birthrights.I am a Wayward weary pilgrim and true American we are not a box of crayons and it is time for us as Americans and Carolinians to wake up and join the global Human family and the family of Nations under the Law of Nations.