Posted on 05/11/2014 3:55:49 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
I am preparing to renew my driver’s license, a process requiring some considerable preparation. My last trip to a driver’s-license bureau, in Norwalk, Conn., ended with my giving very serious thought to returning later in the evening and burning the place down, the process having been so backward and the people so hateful. I have in my life had a number of unpleasant encounters with government agencies — handcuffed in Texas, terrorized by Mexican federales, assets seized by the IRS, chased about by India’s immigration authorities, etc. Frankly, I’d rather be pepper-sprayed than pay another visit to the Norwalk DMV.
I do not expect the New York City version to be much better, but I’ll withhold judgment until the facts are in. But before I could even do that, there were other preparations to be made. For example, my passport, issued by the U.S. State Department, is perfectly adequate to get me through customs and immigration at any airport in U.S. territory, and is a fully functional form of identification anywhere in the country, and most of the world, except for a New York DMV office. For that, you need a couple of forms of identification, one of which must be a Social Security card. The mutation of the Social Security card from proof of enrollment in Social Security into a federal quasi-ID is itself a long and stupid story, and, if you happen to have lost yours in the course of having had a dozen home addresses in the past 20 years, rest assured that you’ll need more than a passport to get one. For that, you’ll need an original birth certificate...
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
One of Kevin’s best….
Thanks for the reply. I’m guessing your passport was Real ID compliant having the ICAO symbol that makes it compliant with the international data base for security, and the picture on both documents will be the high resolution variety that will allow curb side recognition of you anywhere you choose to go by anyone with the appropriate devise to decode biometric data, and they won’t have to ask to see the document as it can be decoded while you are walking down the street. That is the desired result, however many states have yet to authorize the chip in the card that makes the instant scan possible.
I was struck by your comment that we need more of this.
We’re giving millions of illegals the vote and welfare because we don’t confirm identities. At this point I’d really rather have less of that.
I well recall the 3 hour visits of old but to my ear the comedians constant DMV jokes fall flat. I guess the topic was too fun for them to let go.
When all else fails there is always an excuse for government to bend the rules, and now we have by government mandate for a voluntary program, the Real ID Act of 2005 still being implemented after delay and delay and delay.
Without the star when the compliance rule go into effect, no entry to federal facilities, and fly only after increased scrutiny. Frankly admittance to federal buildings you paid for, should be considered unconstitutional, not a security problem, and travel restrictions another story all together, but that is Real ID in a nutshell.
Long ago the Congress wanted a National ID Card and couldn’t get it passed “the people”. Gee, wonder why? So attach some dollars, get the state government to buy in, and voila’ instant National ID Card compliant with the International Standard. Real ID is not your friend, and is only the beginning.
We’re giving millions of illegals the vote and welfare because we don’t confirm identities. At this point I’d really rather have less of that.
...because some states won’t or refuse to confirm identity. It is the states that aren’t doing their job. Not all, but enough.
No, but it is distressingly monocultural.
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Diversity is Our Strength
I realize that ripping the DMV in the most humorous manner possible is a universally satisfying experience, but I can’t say I’ve had anything resembling the author’s alleged nightmare. I lived in NYS for almost 5 decades. They made great strides in efficiency, convenience, and friendliness. (In comedy, such jokes are “evergreen,” like rubber chickens.) We moved to MA a couple of years ago, and it was a more jarring, less personal experience going to the DMV.
It’s probably not fair to compare the two offices: Worcester County, MA has a much larger population than does Tompkins County, NY. But in both cases it seems like your attitude approaching the experience makes a great deal of difference. If you go anywhere expecting a confrontation you will likely find one. I’ve never had a problem in either place. I try to be polite and friendly, and let them know I appreciate their help and expertise in shepherding me through what can be a bewildering set of regulations. The result is that I rarely leave with a bad taste in my mouth or a joke to tell about the DMV. No doubt, some of their rules are incomprehensible, but odds are the person you deal with at the counter didn’t write the rule. You can call it naive, but I find if you treat people decently they reciprocate.
Are you saying that anyone should be allowed to enter any part of any federal building at any time?
If so, I think you’re not grounded in reality.
I don't understand the question.
It's a relevant piece of information because the author implies he had no other way to get a copy of his TEXAS birth certificate than by going in person to the county in which he was born. This is not accurate.
Oh, and there was no qualification as to only some passports being good or recent enough for the qualification. And I was having a new DL photo taken at the time.
I’m waiting for someone to make the obvious to me connection between the mess that is Veteran’s Health Care and Obama care.
Kansas/Johnson County used to be a three hour ordeal but there were complaints and last time I had to go it was in and out in 30 minutes. I don’t remember what ID was required but I think it was just two forms and a utility bill could be one of them. I think I used my old DL and my passport. My kids all have the plastic birth cert but recently found out that they can’t use that for a passport. Have to get the certified copy. I’m actually okay with that and wish that a photo ID was required everywhere for voting.
Never go on Monday morning or even worse, Tuesday after a three day weekend. Never go late in the afternoon when all the teenagers are there. Be there when they open and bring a book or kindle.
When it was time for my oldest daughter to go to Driver’s Ed, I realized I didn’t have birth certificates for the two who were born in San Antonio. It was pricy, like $32 each, to get them from Texas Vital Records, but it wasn’t difficult, didn’t take very long, and didn’t require a trip to Texas.
NC will require photo ID for voting in 2016. The poll workers mentioned it when I voted in the primary last week.
I have a COLB. I had to order one a few years ago.
I do not have a marriage certificate. Will have to get one.
The SS card is another matter. I am 60. I haven't seen it in 35 years. I do remember it said something about not to be used for ID. The pisser is I never had my name changed after I got married.
I do have documents with my SSN on it which has always been accepted as proof whenever it was needed....until now.
I guess I will need to get the ball rolling when I am 62. Maybe I can get all the paper work together to prove I am who I have said I am for the last 60 years. :(
North Carolina accepted a tax return as a substitute for the Social Security card. My SS card is no good because my mother had it laminated (even though it says not to, right on it) back when it was issued in 1976.
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