The recent move toward implementation of the federal Real ID program is a step in the wrong direction for West Virginia. The privacy rights of West Virginia citizens should never be used as a bargaining chip for money from the federal government, especially when the federal program in question has universal opposition from a broad spectrum of West Virginians.

Recently, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted unanimously to block the state's participation in the program. If and when the Pennsylvania Senate does the same, the number of states having passed laws prohibiting implementation of Real ID or resolutions condemning the program will exceed 20. Still, West Virginia moves toward compliance.

Having grown up in and around rural West Virginia, I can tell you the difference between a 40-hour paycheck and 20-hour paycheck will be hurtful to many West Virginians caught in the bureaucracy of trying to get a federally mandated identification card just to be able to drive. To add insult to injury, workers who end up taking more time off work to get a license are going to have to pay more for it because some in our state government refuse to consider the costs to individuals as a part of the overall financial burden of Real ID implementation. Truly, government is running like a business when the costs of an unfunded federal mandate like Real ID are passed on to consumers instead of being dealt with at the state level.

Real ID is more than an intrusive government overreach into the privacy of West Virginians. For some, it is an attempt at a national firearms registry. Others feel that this national identity card is a direct violation of their stated religious tenets. Ask any advocate for victims of domestic violence how they feel about national databases with personal information and you will hear about how the Department of Homeland Security has still not reconciled the very dire and possibly deadly consequences those trying to escape abusive relationships may face if this program is implemented. Identity theft, now a burgeoning criminal industry in America, will only worsen under the Real ID system, and we should never forget that at the end of the day, this unfunded federal mandate will not make any of us safer.

With so many reasons for throwing this federal boondoggle to the wayside, why does West Virginia march toward compliance? Is there a business interest with powerful connections to state government pulling the strings for West Virginia's compliance with Real ID? Could this issue be an opportunity to be seen as "tough" on national security?

Whatever the reasons, one thing seems clear: West Virginia, despite steady opposition from its citizenry, both liberals and conservatives, is moving toward compliance with an invasive national identity registry that will cripple state budgets, and, in the process, will increase wait times and drivers license fees at the DMV, while not doing one iota of good with respect to national security.

DiStefano is a community organizer for the ACLU of West Virginia.

Recently, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted unanimously to block the state's participation in the program. If and when the Pennsylvania Senate does the same, the number of states having passed laws prohibiting implementation of Real ID or resolutions condemning the program will exceed 20. Still, West Virginia moves toward compliance.

Having grown up in and around rural West Virginia, I can tell you the difference between a 40-hour paycheck and 20-hour paycheck will be hurtful to many West Virginians caught in the bureaucracy of trying to get a federally mandated identification card just to be able to drive. To add insult to injury, workers who end up taking more time off work to get a license are going to have to pay more for it because some in our state government refuse to consider the costs to individuals as a part of the overall financial burden of Real ID implementation. Truly, government is running like a business when the costs of an unfunded federal mandate like Real ID are passed on to consumers instead of being dealt with at the state level.

Real ID is more than an intrusive government overreach into the privacy of West Virginians. For some, it is an attempt at a national firearms registry. Others feel that this national identity card is a direct violation of their stated religious tenets. Ask any advocate for victims of domestic violence how they feel about national databases with personal information and you will hear about how the Department of Homeland Security has still not reconciled the very dire and possibly deadly consequences those trying to escape abusive relationships may face if this program is implemented. Identity theft, now a burgeoning criminal industry in America, will only worsen under the Real ID system, and we should never forget that at the end of the day, this unfunded federal mandate will not make any of us safer.

With so many reasons for throwing this federal boondoggle to the wayside, why does West Virginia march toward compliance? Is there a business interest with powerful connections to state government pulling the strings for West Virginia's compliance with Real ID? Could this issue be an opportunity to be seen as "tough" on national security?

Whatever the reasons, one thing seems clear: West Virginia, despite steady opposition from its citizenry, both liberals and conservatives, is moving toward compliance with an invasive national identity registry that will cripple state budgets, and, in the process, will increase wait times and drivers license fees at the DMV, while not doing one iota of good with respect to national security.

DiStefano is a community organizer for the ACLU of West Virginia.