On Thursday, May 24, the NH Senate passed by a vote of 24-0 HB 685, which would pull NH out of the federal REAL ID act. This absolutely phenomenal move stands with the actions of a handful of other states that recognize as absurd the unconstitutional and economically backwards move by the federal government to force the states to adopt federal guidelines for their drivers' licenses. These guidelines would have included private data on the IDs, which would have been needed to board planes and/or trains, or enter federal buildings. The growing groundswell of opposition to this federal move -- the feral brainchild of Jim Sensenbrenner -- represents a push back against Sensenbrenner and people like US Senator Judd Gregg, who sent his acolytes to NH to lobby FOR REAL ID.

But there was a drawback to passage on Thursday. Liberal Manchester Senator Lou D'Allesandro attached another bill to it, one which would provide $100,000 in payments to the families of police or fire fighters killed in the line of duty. This bill does not jibe with the foundations of a free society or a decentralized system of governing bodies. As much as police and firefighters are respected, they know the risks involved in their jobs, and can get life insurance like anyone else. The state does not need to step in to provide death benefits to families on a local level, regardless of how important the politicians believe their job might be.

With this new bill attached, the new HB 685 flew through the Senate. Good for HB 685, bad for those of us who do not like political games being played in our State House. Let each bill stand or fall on its own merits, please.

So, a hearty 'well done' to the people who fought so hard to pass 685, and a slap on the wrist to Lou and others who attached the death benefit bill. Sad commentary on how things get done in contemporary politics.

We can be proud of the backers of 685. This will send another message to DC to stay out of our private affairs.