Thank you for everyone's effort. I am in Michigan where "we" won a small battle in the war Tuesday. Real ID appropriation language was struck from a supplemental appropriations bill. The lawmakers expect the Governor and Secretary of State to agree to a Memorandum of Agreement with DHS. The agreement would allow Michigan to issue EDLS's (Enhanced Driver's Licenses). We are opposed to such "instruments". Speaking of instruments-The Secretary of State in Michigan is a Republican. She is pushing EDL's. Her name is Terri Lynn Land. I have not figured out whether she really does not "get it" or if she acts on behalf of others. The following is a link to her contact information http://www.michigan.gov/sos/1,1607,7-127-13162-25634--,00.html After my testimony yesterday she probably is not too happy with me-nothing personal. After today she will probably have me escorted out of the State. If anyone would like to contact her, especially lawmakers-perhaps she will appreciate our position. I hear she is not a bad person, just misinformed and misguided-There is talk she is seeking a higher office.
States are in some cases deciding EDL's are needed because 1) The cost is 1/2 of passports and 2) The documents are available nearly immediately versus passports that can take months.
What we have is the federal government "bribing" States and citizens to use EDL's when the reality is the federal government is once again "worming" it's way into the issuance of what should and must be a State document, the State driver's license.
We, our country, have an instrument(s), the passport and passport card that are federal instruments to accommodate travel from one country to another. If the federal government has a problem of issuance related to speed, supply and cost then the federal government must be held accountable to resolve the "issues". The EDL is worse than accommodating, it is submission. States are trading the Tenth Amendment for expediency and cost savings. Once citizens accept the use of EDL's they are either knowingly or unknowingly doing the same. Since it is the lawmakers of a State that first acquiesce, they share the greater responsibility for this charade being that the State lawmakers send the signal to the citizens that accepting EDL's is acceptable. It amazes me that 30 years ago without the technology of today a person could get an emergency passport in no time. Today, even with the technology it can take 6 months.
I ask, Why don't the State lawmakers and the citizens hold the federal government accountable and demand the federal government be responsible to resolve the problems on their end. Provide for passports and passport cards to be less costly and delivered in a more timely manner?
We, the citizens, have fallen into the "trap" of wanting immediate gratification. We do not want to be confrontational. We want immediate results. We know what we want and we want it now. Thus we sacrifice our Constitutional rights.
I don't normally make assumptions. That being said I do believe it is fair to ask ourselves, Is it possible the federal government is intentionally not doing what it should and can do in order to create the "need" by States and citizens?
The answer is not as important as it may seem at first glance. The end result is still submission by States and citizens.
EDL's are only a symptom, not the disease. Real ID is a symptom and not the disease. I am staying in Michigan longer than expected. A few brave lawmakers here are immediately working on legislation forbidding the use of EDL's. The legislation is being written overnight and offered tomorrow to the committee (Appropriations). Yes, we want to be successful but equally as important is we want to start a process of accountability. We will hold State lawmakers accountable even if they will not do the same with federal agencies and departments as well as with Congress.
One personal point and not so personal as well. There are two brothers here in Michigan that are true Patriots. They are the Garfield brothers. One is John and the other is Paul. John is a State Representative who owes no apologies and offers none. He is a war hero of the Vietnam era. John also has the highest Conservative ranking in the State. John is a self described "old school" conservative as opposed to the conservative label of today. Paul was the State Ron Paul coordinator and is the Gun Owners of America State Director. Paul is also involved in other causes. This two Patriots and gentleman have truly opened up their arms and State to us. The first night when I had a car issue Paul stood tall and insured that I made it from the point the car stopped running until I got in touch with roadside assistance and actually got to a room. This process took hours to play out since the car stopped running over an hour from where I was headed. Once the tow truck got me to where I was staying, Paul took me out to dinner. If the Garfield brothers leave Michigan, Michigan would be in trouble. Arizona, look out, they maybe coming your way. What a bonus for Arizona.
There is a person in Oklahoma that without hesitation "stepped up" when the car had a problem. This person does not seek glory. The fact the person is from Oklahoma should not be a surprise. Another person from Oklahoma also helped make this multi-state tour possible. I do not play favorites but it is fair to say whether it is the citizens, groups, ministries or lawmakers of Oklahoma, there is no question Oklahoma does not follow, it leads. Do not get carried away in Oklahoma. I still pray and believe the Missouri Tigers will prevail. That being ]said, I would trade you ten of Missouri's lawmakers for one Oklahoma lawmaker. Forget, U.S. Senators, I am still looking for Missouri's.
By the way-If anyone thinks my emails are long-you should have one conversation with Steve in Oklahoma. I don't have to worry about Steve reading this email-He is on the phone with somebody, somewhere. The downside is the person on the phone with Steve won't be able to read this email either!
Thank you all. Mark
God Bless America, the greatest country on earth. People still have the power to create change. I would NOT take 182 other countries for one United States of America!!!
