Real ID fascism continues in Kentucky

Kentucky Democrats' apologia for the thug George W. Bush continues as the party is ushering in another towering wave of Real ID fascism – and using it as an excuse to cut the public's access to their local motor vehicle department.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray has fired off an op-ed boasting about how the state has "crossed a significant milestone" by gutting its licensing system. Gray writes that we're less than a year away from Real ID taking full effect. If the Democrats cared at all about the public, they would have fought this like it's going out of style. Instead – on an increasing basis – they've not only let this Republican program take effect but have acted like it's the greatest thing ever.

There are now only 31 regional motor vehicle departments throughout the state – as opposed to the old, more convenient way of each of the 120 counties having at least one. Many of these 31 offices are not near central cities that have the most residents. Gray says that new options will "reduce the number of trips to a regional office", but it doesn't eliminate them entirely, and most people will have to travel much further when they do have to visit a regional office.

Real ID is fascist. That point is incontrovertible. It infringes on personal liberty and on the states' autonomy. It is a domestic passport – a "papers please" program. What Kentucky should have done is either sue over it or simply ignore it except to say that facilities must continue to accept the old ID's.

Just don't expect the Democrats to do it. If there's one thing I've learned over the past couple years, it's this: Fascist is as fascist does.