Those Who Do Not Learn From History

The 9-11 Commission Report should be required reading for every student attending public schools and every state legislator. The bi-partisan group of 9-11 commissioners issued several dozen findings. On each they reached unanimous agreement. Finding # 18 should be of particular interest, particularly when considering the current policy debates in New Mexico. Appealing to basic common sense it also explains why 70-80% of New Mexico citizens are opposed to issuing driver's licenses to people who have violated the federal government's immigration laws. 9-11 Commission finding # 18 reads as follows: Secure identification should begin in the United States. The federal government should set standards for the issuance of birth certificates and sources of identification, such as drivers licenses.

Also of particular interest in the body of the 9-11 Commission Report is Chapter 7, entitled the "The Attack Looms."  In this chapter, the narrative leading up to the attacks goes into great detail about the way the hijackers were able to find soft spots in various state's driver's license issuance process. It should come as no surprise that the do nothing but borrow and spend federal government never followed through on the recommendations to toughen and standardize the criteria for issuing driver's licenses. However many states paid attention and tightened up processes on their own. Other states ignored the report. New Mexico did just the opposite of what the commission recommended. Our legislators have made it easier for those here illegally to obtain legitimizing documentation. Had enough yet? 

Those Who Do Not Learn From History