Perspectives: Sam’s Perspective – Fear the Feds
Hello, I’m Sam jones.
How many times over the past few years have you heard a lawmaker or lawmaker wannabe throw fear in your direction? “They are coming to take our guns”. Or “have you been storing food and supplies for when the government takes over”? One of the fear factors used here in Oklahoma has been, “We ain’t goin along with the Real I.D. cause they just want to know more about us”. Well… I hope you have taken the time to get your passport. Why? Let me explain. Right after the attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York in 2001, serious lawmakers decided this country needed to improve its ID system. So, Congress passed what’s known as the REAL ID Act. Its more than just what you find on a state driver’s license and it actually puts all states on the same footing in terms of an ID. Most of the states said, “Sure. Makes sense. Lets do it.” But not here. And once again, laughter at our state could be heard in all corners. You see, here in Oklahoma, some lawmaker wannabes, meaning elected to office but not sure what the job actually involves, decided the REAL ID was nothing more than an attempt by the Feds, to establish a nationwide database. And why would the Feds want to do that, you ask. Well some of the conspiracy theorists in our Legislature decided since they didn’t understand the REAL ID Act, it must be bad. These children in adult clothing told all of us that in fact, The REAL ID Act could be used to monitor and control citizens. Selling fear over fact. Well, here’s a fact,. beginning October 10th., an Oklahoma driver’s license won’t be enough to allow you through the security gates of any military base in this state. You’ll have to have a passport. That’s phase one.
And that falls under the heading of ‘unnecessary overkill’. The reason is ignorance pure and simple. A conspiracy theory replaced intelligence. Oklahoma also lost federal grant money that would have helped implement the act in the first place. And the very folks responsible will probably be elected again. Why? Because voter turnout in Oklahoma is so low. And there’s more. This is just the first round of change coming because of backward thinking. Waiting just around the corner for all us is… we will need a passport to get into any federal building. Right after that we need a passport to board a domestic air flight. One other thing,.. You can’t get a REAL ID right now because of the Legislature’s paranoia. Thanks to unwarranted suspicion and conspiratorial delusions, we all are going to have to obtain a passport to go see Grandma or go on vacation or a business trip. I’ve been saying it for the last two or three years, its time for the Legislature to grow up and represent the people of the state of Oklahoma. Get in line with the REAL ID Act. It’s the grown up thing to do for goodness sake.
That’s my perspective.
