The federal government is at it again -- attempting to improve national security without considering the effects of its actions on the states and the people.

Many state motor vehicle officials are speaking out against a May 2005 military spending bill that included the Real ID Act, a measure requiring all drivers' licenses to be standardized across the country by May 2008.

While the idea of a standardized identification card is not terrible, the proper implementation of such a policy is not a realistic expectation right now. Many states are already struggling to meet federal standards regarding initiatives relating to education and emergency response management for example, and to expect them to make such drastic changes without much federal guidance is outrageous.

"It is just flat out impossible and unrealistic to meet the prescriptive provisions of this law by 2008," Betty Serian, a deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said.

Officials from other states, including Illinois and Nebraska, have also voiced similar concerns, and so far federal officials have been slow to address the concerns of the states, and to modify the May 2008 deadline for all changes to be made.

There is also concern regarding the use of the information provided to the government via these cards. What exactly will big brother be doing with the information it gathers about each individual? Will the federal government want to use the new ID cards to track every movement of every citizen in every state?

With all of the national security issues plaguing the country right now, is the Real ID Act really the best use of government time and resources? Shouldn't officials focus on securing the nation's borders first and foremost?

It was just last week that the Associated Press reported U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered a 3-foot-by-3-foot tunnel at the U.S.-Mexico border.

It was later determined that the tunnel had been used recently. In terms of national security, shouldn't the crossing of illegal immigrants into the U.S. rank a little higher on the priority list than mandating new, uniform ID cards?

And what will be keeping potential terrorists from forging these IDs anyway? If someone really wants to plan an attack on the United States, a small plastic card won't convince them to do otherwise; they'll just find a way to counterfeit it.