One fundamental element of a free society is the idea that government operates by clearly defined laws. We’ve abandoned that concept in so many ways (tax code, ObamaCare, etc.)
But now it’s threatened in something as basic as the freedom of movement. Want to travel outside the U.S.? You need a passport.
The State Department is proposing some new regulations on passports, which will require some people to report things such as where your parents lived before you were born, where you have ever lived in your life, the name of your supervisor at your first place of paid employment, anyone who was in the room when your mother gave birth, and any religious ceremonies conducted at or near the time of your birth. Religion? Yep.
As one commentator noted, a team of researchers is needed to complete it. Even more troubling, it’s not clear from the department’s proposal just who, of the thousands of people who apply for passports each year, will be required to supply all the information that seems more suitable to a job application published by the CIA or FBI.
The closing period for public comments is midnight, today.
First published by the Detroit News: http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=2141