SURVENT

There is a plan in the works to secure our borders that entails the U.S. issuing a new tamper-resistant ID card that is still being developed. Because the ID card is still being developed and the implications of the change are still being understood, the lawmakers of this country have delayed implementing this program by 17 months. (Full story) Hey, we have waited this long, what is another year-and-a-half without a little more border security?

If the ID card is tamper resistant, that just means it is more difficult to forge - but not impossible. This appears to me to be more of a diversion and smoke screen to make citizens of the U.S. think the lawmakers are doing something that is making our country safer. This plan makes it more difficult to get a forged ID, sure, but the reality of it is that this just another way for the government to make money for a private firm who will make the ID cards while not really making our country safer.

Lawmakers who represent states on the Canadian border have long opposed the tamperproof ID program that was urged by the 9/11 Commission. They fear the plans will slow cross-border commerce with Canada -- the largest trading partner of the U.S. -- and scare away tourists.

Currently, border crossers need only a picture ID card, like a driver's license, and a birth certificate to get into the United States. Neither document would be accepted under the proposed rules because they can be easily forged.

Instead, the administration is seeking to require border crossers to show passports or a cheaper alternative, dubbed a "PASS" card, that is still being designed. But technology to read the cards, as well as security standards to make sure they work, is not ready. The congressional agreement worked out Monday night would delay the program until June 2009.

If people are getting forged birth certificates and drivers licenses that are being used to get across the border and we want to make crossing by land more secure, simply mandate that everyone needs a passport to get in the country. Passports have been in place for a long time and seem pretty effective and hard to forge. Why try to introduce a new ID card in conjunction with the passport other than to make some extra money? People flying in and out of the country are required to have a passport so why not make it so for the land travelers. This could be implemented much quicker than 17 months from now. Simply tell everyone that they have 6 months to get a passport or they will not be able to cross the border into the U.S. This would be plenty of time and border commerce should not be slowed down much. I think tourists would be understanding and be open to this change. Also, if more people were to get passports the cost of making a passport should decrease due to economies of scale. It would be a win-win solution so to speak