The UNReal-ID

Dear Attorney-General Beshear: Please save us from this "illegal" scheme. They're at it again, only this time they have finally confessed--their plan is against the law.  I'm talking about the so-called "ReaI-ID" special, extra expensive drivers license for Kentuckians. It's designed to be extra secure, so those who pay extra may fly domestically, and enter federal institutions (should you want to visit your family member in service.)


It was to be issued years ago but has run into nothing but trouble. The latest came when county clerks said it was too much trouble for their current staff to handle, because the US requires a lot of extra documents (and the usual red tape) before issuing--and many county clerks, especially in the smaller, rural areas simply couldn't do it. So the state vehicle people tried again, and came up with a plan for a dozen "regional" centers designed just to issue those Real ID licenses. That didn't work out, so that unworkable plan has just been expanded. Now the state is talking maybe 20-30 centers, and in current state buildings to keep down costs.


But, in releasing the new plan (and some locations) the state admits IT'S ILLEGAL.  Yup, after all this time and study and tryouts in Frankfort and Lawrenceburg, someone realized our law says ONLY county clerks may issue auto licenses. So now the plan is to ask the legislature in January to rush through a law permitting the Real IDs to be issued by people other than county clerks. Already almost 10 years late under the law originally passed by Congress (and waiver after waiver for KY) the US says "No more waivers." It MUST be done by October, 2020 or you and I can't fly on vacations or funerals, or visit the kids at Fort Knox, etc. Asking the legislature to work that fast is putting a lot of eggs in one basket, a "basket" that seldom works quickly. And when legislators hear from "back home" about the extra travel involved...well there just may be a delay.



Because in releasing the updated plan and list of locations where Real ID might be issued, the state admits some people in Eastern Kentucky. must drive an hour to get there...not just to their local courthouse.


There IS a better way. There is a hefty charge for the new license. use those funds to ADD people in our present 120 clerk's offices, however many that are needed. Those offices already exist, so not much extra expenses this way.  People must be trained to issue the new licenses; best they work in an office already set up and experienced in the license-issuing process just in case any problems arise. (Wanna bet they will?)


So, please Attorney General Beshear (or even Gov-Elect Beshear) call off the dawgs, end this illegal, extra expensive plan that just causes more problems for many of our people, find the seed money to get the program started in our present clerks' offices instead of 20-30 new state offices, some far, far away from the voter needing the new-type license. It's just good sense...and good politics.



I'm just sayin'...

Remember Those Purple Fingers?

It was a sign of hope, of a belief in democracy, and in the people. A rallying cry to end corruption, and tyranny, and dictatorship.  For many people purple dye on their finger often meant the first time they had voted in their lives--and it cost some their lives.

In many places, especially Africa and the Middle East, the people arose, threw out dictatorial governments and voted. Extremists groups, such as ISIS and Al Qaida, and local militias opposed the vote. Polling places were attacked, party headquarters burned, people lining up to vote machine gunned. And if they did vote, some had their fingers chopped off, were killed, raped, brutalized; all to stop them from voting again.

Now we in Kentucky have a chance to vote freely, without being intimidated or killed or exiled.

Will we?

The Purple Fingers point at us. Take advantage of your freedom and liberty they say, you can do it so easily, and in safety. Don't lose your democracy by being a No Show.

In many of those Purple Finger countries the turnout was 75%, even above 90%, even in the face of threats and death.

No such threats in Kentucky, and yet the estimate is that only 31% of us will exercise one of  our nation's greatest freedoms.

Vote Kentucky.

Don't let the Purple Fingers---who still look to America as the world's greatest democracy, don't let the Purple Fingers down.

I'm just sayin'...