Repeal REAL ID and Reclaim American Values

Press Release

If you happened to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles yesterday, you were subject to a new set of rules in order to renew your driver's license or to get a new license. Yesterday was the first day that newer, more stringent regulations went into effect, after Maine was pressured by the federal government to come into compliance with the REAL ID Act.

It is unfortunate that the legislature bowed to federal pressure, but I also understand that the Bush administration was threatening Maine with severe penalties if the state did not comply. This country does not need a national identification system, and Maine cannot afford another unfunded mandate from Washington. The Bush Administration has been far to willing to sacrifice core civil liberties in order to embrace a false notion of security.

Our response to the threats of the 21st Century should be to embrace and strengthen our liberties here at home, and REAL ID does just the opposite. What's more, the Bush Administration has been far to willing to develop wide-reaching policy, only to saddle the states with the bill.

What we clearly need to do now is to repeal the REAL ID Act. I am committed to working with Congressman Tom Allen, who has introduced legislation, H.R. 1117, to take just such a step.

Maine's first district needs a congressperson who will continue to make this issue a priority. My commitment to civil liberties has been clear in this election - I am the only candidate to call for the repeal of the PATRIOT Act, and I am committed also to restoring habeas corpus, clearly outlawing torture, and ending warrantless wiretapping of our telephone conversations. Civil liberties also means to me protecting and extending a woman's right to choose.

And of course, it means repealing REAL ID. At a time when America's moral standing in the world is in doubt, and at a time when we lack the resources to invest in the education, health care and environmental policies we need in this country, REAL ID is an idea that should be rejected. Please join this campaign for a New Direction so that we can repeal REAL ID and reclaim American values.

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