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First, I view the REAL ID as a "papers please" move... which is supposedly unconstitutional for us.

Second, it's a frustrating, never-ending turmoil to "get it done" if you're a woman, especially of a certain age...

Third, now they'll stop you from flying domestically without this "special" ID. The next step, which is where it's really meant to be pushed, is at the voting booth. Repugs and Libertarians want to strip the right to vote from women, and this is the perfect domino to "get it done."

Three times I've tried to get all the papers together to do this, and they ALWAYS find something else to deny it. I've tried off and on for 2 years. This last time, in February, was the epitome of illogical stupidity. I FINALLY found the marriage license with my current husband. And they rejected it because the signature block of one of the deputies at the clerks office used a spattering of white out on it. I was told to send away for a certified copy and return with it. When I told her it would come in on white paper in which white out couldn't be seen, the attendant just shrugged her shoulders. I told her... getting VERY frustrated by this point (I'd already been there working on this for 4 hours), why didn't they just make a copy of the certified marriage license I'd given them. It's be on white copy paper, which is all they'd get from Texas, anyway. She just told me to save the envelope with the postmark to prove it'd been mailed to me as a new copy. Can we say absolutely dumbstruck! By this time, I was getting quite loud about what I thought this was all about where women's rights were concerned... enough that the guardian cop moved closer to me and my husband.

I finally came home, downloaded the damn "give me a copy" form from the Bexar County site, and along with a certified check for $16 (for two copies), mailed it certified mail. Guess what? It's been WEEKS and I never received notification that my form/check was delivered, nor have I heard jack squat from Texas.

At my age and infirmity, I can't just drive down to Texas, and demand a copy in person. It all has to be done with Dejoy's jacked up mail sabotage and texas republicans in seats of power (even this kind of petty power). Please tell me, at this point, just how am I suppose to "just get it done." What's even worse, if and when I ever get a copy, I'll go back and the red clan idiots in KS will find some OTHER way to screw with me.

Problem is, I'm not the only one. Some people are actually old enough to not be able to obtain a certified copy of their birth certificate. My mother screwed up when she had me, and listed the wrong last name for herself. Her step-father had raised her, but had never adopted her, although she used his last name for everything. So, my original birth certificate has a separate "corrected" copy attached to it (I did the attaching so I wouldn't lose it). My first hurdle this last time at DMV was getting them to accept that as true and certified.

Yes... I know the date is coming up real soon... and I've been trying for years to fix this problem. I honestly don't know what else I can do that I haven't already done. But man, stupidity in this country is at an all time high and it's expressed proudly... especially if you're female.

And mark my words... they will stop anyone from voting at some point who does not have one of these "real ids". And crap... that's what that Social Security card was suppose to represent when they first foisted it on everyone... including newborns. I'm a woman. I'm Pagan. I'm a Vietnam era veteran. Most of all, tho, I'm a proud Democrat. And those alone will keep us away from our rights and civil liberties. First it was the SS card; now it's the REAL ID; ask yourself what's next? Because it's never enough for these people, especially if you're (demonstrably in an "out" group).

I'm sorry to have popped off to you... it's not meant to you personally, I promise. I just have been through the song and dance for so many years, and been rejected for such incredibly stupid reasons (certified corrected birth certificate; final divorce decree; last marriage license), that THIS is a real cause celeb for me. And yet, despite what I've been through trying to give them what they want and always having it change on me... I still sit here without one of those misogynistic id cards. Worse, I have friends in the same boat as me, who've been trying as long as, or even longer, than me... and we're all at the point of wanting to kill the next idiot who demands something different than what's written on the "required" paper... or paying the price for someone elses "screw up" like a blob of white out on one of the papers. Try parsing every piece of your life to s republican's satisfaction when you've moved so many times you've lost count because of military service or just plan living your life. Believe me, I WISH I could "just get it done." So do friends I've made because of this racist fiasco. First it was the Middle-Easterners because of 911. Before and after that, Hispanics and Blacks. Now it's anyone not lily white, christian, and of the "proper" gender. It's so funny how in all the times I've been through this at the DMV, I've never seen or heard them give any male the kind of 3rd degree and hassle that they've given me and other women. And yes, if I had money and my choice, I'd get the hell out of this country after what I've been through and what I see coming down the line for others like me. But here, age is the first barrier and money the second (tho enough money can counteract the old age issue). But nothing counteracts a Brownbackian Republican.

Okay... time to bring my blood pressure back down to something approaching normal levels. Again, I apologize if I made you feel like I was dumping on you. I've just heard the same thing as what you said so many times, by people who have no idea what kinds of trouble a person can have just trying to meet the bare requirements. Like I said, it's an understatement to say it... but this is truly a horrendous pet peeve of mine. Hell, maybe one of my signs tomorrow will be about Real ID and protecting women's rights.