The Constitutional Alliance is working diligently to provide citizens with the most current information on federal legislation and state legislation that relates to many issues.
1) The collection, maintaining and sharing of citizens biometric information (digital facial images, fingerprints, iris scans and so forth)
2) The collection, maintaining and sharing of citizens SSN’s and other personal information in state DMV databases.
3) The use of RFID chips/tags in identification documents.
4) The use of CCTV/surveillance cameras and ALPR (Automatic License Plate Readers)
5) Any federal legislation that requires states to comply with federal standards/international standards for the issuance of state driver’s licenses.
Going back to last September the Constitutional Alliance was the first group/organization in the country that informed the public that the PASS ID Act would not be passed in calendar year ’09. We were the first organization to unequivocally state that Real ID Act implementation would be extended beyond the past 31 December 2009 implementation date. We do not just say these things. Anyone is free to look at the updates on our web-site and check the validity of the statements made.
We are able to stay on top of the issues we address because we get out information directly from the people in D.C. that make the decisions. We speak in person to the staff people, staff directors, counsels and lawmakers to get our information. We do not depend on information from other groups or organizations.
We are able to also stay on top of what is taking place at the state level because our organization is comprised of state lawmakers, state and national groups/organizations and private citizens located all across the country.
Recently the Secretary of Homeland Security announced the Real ID starting implementation date was being extended to April, 2011. Many people have taken this announcement to mean there is breathing room now for States to address the Real ID Act and PASS ID Act legislation. Nothing can be further from the truth. The fact is staff people are working right now to come up with a compromise that will satisfy both Real ID and PASS ID proponents. We expect PASS ID to pass the full senate the end this month or early in February. From the senate the PASS ID Act will move to the house.for consideration.
A point of information/education: A real battle is lining up in Oklahoma. Many Americans are aware of a quote often attributed to Thomas Jefferson- “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.” The fact is this quote is also attributed to Benjamin Franklin and there is evidence to support this assertion.
In either case in Oklahoma several pieces of legislation are being introduced that go to the issue of “Big Brother”. The Constitutional Alliance is an educational entity/not for profit, thus does not take a position on such legislation. For those interested to learn what the different pieces of legislation in Oklahoma are specifically about you can email stoprealid@aol.com for a summarization of each of the bills.
It is fundraising time. The Alliance is working on many projects including a DVD and a pamphlet/book. The will be more information made available next week about the DVD and the pamphlet. It does takes funding for the Alliance to do what it does. We rely on the contributions of private citizens. We ask everyone to keep in mind if everyone believes the “other person” will contribute, in the end nobody does.
Thank you one and all!!!!
Godspeed
