Bob Blakley on Real ID

Writing in response to the DHS’ Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee report on the implementation of the REAL ID Act, Bob Blakley summarises its message in plain language:

The REAL ID act is a bad idea. The problems with the REAL ID act listed in the Committee’s report should not be fixed, because fixing them will not address the core issues the REAL ID act raises. Fixing the problems the Committee has identified will simply produce the best possible version of a very bad system. If the REAL ID act is implemented, there is no chance it will meet its stated goals; there is every reason to believe it will have many unforeseen adverse consquences; and there is every reason to believe its costs will be huge in proportion to its benefits.

I wonder if the US government will listen to its thoughtful critics here as the UK government really has not to date (although there are signs that that may be beginning to change...)?