Sometime in 2008, Americans will have to carry a Federally-approved identification card in order to open a bank account, draw Social Security, or perform other normal tasks that involve the government.

This can't come fast enough for Kansas.

Currently in my state, if you need to obtain or renew a picture ID or driver's license, you go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, prove you are who you claim you are by the presentation of various documents, pass any tests necessary in the case of the DL, and then walk out with a brand-new ID or license.

Oh...wait...that's how it USED to work.

Now you're given a "temporary ID" until your permanent one is sent from Topeka.  This is a strip of paper that looks like a grocery-store receipt, containing your picture and necessary information.  You are supposed to carry this piece of paper until the DMV gets around to sending your permanent license or ID, which usually takes two weeks or so.  By that time, your "official" ID is almost completely illegible, and will likely be refused as identification.

It is my understanding that the State of Kansas went to this cheapjack methodology around 2004 or so, taking the license machines/laminators out of the individual offices and replacing them with receipt-tape printers.  Kansans since that time are not able to leave the DMV office with a real ID or DL, nor can they use a personally-chosen identification number (the State generates one for us, to "prevent against identity theft", as if that makes any difference to a person serious about committing fraud).  If this is progress, count me out; any system this easy to duplicate is just ASKING for trouble.

Think about it.  All you need right now to forge a "temporary Kansas ID" is a long piece of receipt tape, a passport-size photograph, and your own personal information.  Just place your photo above a typed list of your personal information, generate your own ID number, copy all this off on any printer, lay the receipt over your photo/information and cut around the edges, and there you go---a temporary state ID that will pass casual inspection.

Underage persons can use this to buy age-controlled items, and illegal immigrants can pass for awhile with a created ID.  Just replace the fake ID with an updated expiration date every so often, and you're set to go.

The Cold Hard Fact of this issue is that the State of Kansas is by NO means compliant with any facet of the upcoming Real ID Act, nor is the State protecting anyone from identity theft (come on, do you REALLY believe everyone is going to shred or burn their temporary ID when the permanent one comes in?), nor is the State doing anything to prevent or control illegal immigration in Kansas.  In sum, the current method of ID issuance in Kansas is completely unsecure, and the inception of the Real ID Act is an event that is to be greatly desired, if not accelerated.