The terrible idea that led to REAL ID

[slightlv]

5. Jilly... I have great empathy for you.

I *think* I finally got through all the hoops to get mine. I was waiting a certified copy of my last marriage license. The original one has white out on it, so it wasn't accepted. I've been two years trying to get this accomplished, pulling my hair out the whole time. At first it was my divorce decree... and I happened to find the one page they needed to copy. How in the world I held on to it all this time, I have no idea. I've been through so many cross country and in-city moves since then, keeping track of anything is a minor miracle!

This did finally make the news roundup I get on my phone, tho... and it was headlined correctly -- that it's hugely a woman's problem, and an even bigger problem for the elderly. I firmly believe at some point they're going to require the Real ID in order to vote. I've not heard anything about that, but it's one more way repugs could winnow out voters... especially voters who don't vote repug, like a good portion of women. That bit of intuition caused me enough of a scare to become a fixture at the DMV over the last two months. Now, I'm waiting to see if it gets here via the mail. Our mail is on such an unreliable schedule, and I've had pieces go missing before. It's just one more thing that used to be "no biggee" here in the U.S., which now is just another everyday headache.

Good luck, Jilly... As much trouble as I had with South Texas in getting my document, I really feel for you having to try to get one from another country. I know the frustration levels involved.