Texas Rep. Ron Paul, a Republican candidate for president in 2008, has had his name linked to a group with rather specific reasons for opposing the Real ID program.
Paul "has appeared on the Endtime radio program," the AP reported in a March 11 article entitled "Biblical prophecy finds way to legislators in battle over ID plan." Endtime Ministries, the AP explained, is an organization " whose magazine, radio show and outreach examine (sp) current events through the prism of Christian apocalypse."
The article's title was referring to state legislators -- some of whom, the AP reported, believe the Real ID program for upgrading driver's licenses "is a beastly plot that will draw the world closer to the apocalypse." The article quoted Missouri state representative Jim Guest: "People are very concerned if the federal government gives you a number, it will be the mark of the beast."
Today, I took out my trusty King James and read Revelation to see what the book actually said about the mark of the beast. From Chapter 13, verse 11: "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." Verses 16-17 continue: "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
The public deserves to know about Paul's links to Endtime. An article in Endtime Magazine (May/June 2006 issue, pp. 20-21, "What is the Mark of the Beast?") explains one reason why the group opposes Real ID: "The mark of the beast will be required for a person to buy and sell," Endtime founder Irvin Baxter Jr. wrote. "The national ID, which will be implemented in America between now and 2008, will be required to hold a job or open a bank account ... Will the national ID soon become the mark of the beast?"
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Ron Paul has always been against the National ID Card as we all should be. He will talk to anyone who shares that view and thats why I believe he spoke to Endtime not because of some deep religious view of the apocalypse but of a deep respect for the constitution. Ron Paul is the only real choice on the Republican ticket. The Natioanl ID Card is fascist and unconstitutional!
ross at 5:27PM on Mar 21st 2007
2. I don't think Ron Paul is acting in a religous manner entirely. I've been keeping up with Ron Paul for years now and he stands firm on America and American values. Not some interpretation of what America should be as said by your average politican with some hidden agenda. Ron Paul support guns rights, freedom of speech, and he also thinks we should cut ties with the United Nations and I couldn't agree with him more.
He may very well be a part of a religous organization but I don't think it's effecting his descisions that much at all. He's a very good Congressman and he's got my vote for 2008
Jerry Culp at 9:08PM on Mar 21st 2007
3. The important thing here is that someone is smart enought to realize the National ID for what it is- DANGEROUS to our freedom!
Go ahead, Mr. Paul, talk about it on religious radio, talk about it on Howard Stern while sitting next to Pamela Anderson and her two friends, whatever...just so you keep talking about it!
This issue is getting buried by the media beneath Anna Nicole and American Idol stories. Ron Paul is one of the few who seems to understand that the National ID is something that has our founding fathers rolling over in their graves. If you value your freedom as an American, you should be very concerned.
Larry at 9:41PM on Mar 21st 2007
4. The mark of the beast? Is that what they said about our social security numbers?
lh at 9:42PM on Mar 21st 2007
5. If it's true Biblical Prophesy, it's going to happen no matter who likes it. But there is the matter of correct interpretation. An ID card (held in the right hand), maybe. A retinal scan (in the forehead) is also a possibility. Anything with the number 666? A number worse than 13.
Steve Bonomo at 11:04PM on Mar 21st 2007
6. there is so much that is wrong politically with our country and must confess that the idea of a national id is just another way to govern and 'control' the citizenery of the united states...it is very alarming.....what next....permission to travel from one state to another with a statement as to why, where, duration of stay? and now at the same time our president is wanting to comepletily open up our country to our neighbors on our southern borders.....wow!!!!
c r stewart at 5:51AM on Mar 22nd 2007
7. FASCIST AMERICA A LOT FASCIST GERMANY MAY WE SEE YOUR PAPERS PLEASE?
AILESGAYLOVEWILLIHORTON at 7:46AM on Mar 22nd 2007
8. I see Ron Paul's flaks are posting in his defense, posing as citizens. Pathetic. Christian end times belief is nonsense and a waste of time. I support a national I.D. because it's essential to controling illegal immigration. If at airports police can collar people with outstanding arrest warrants, all the better. Grow-up people.
cg at 8:18AM on Mar 22nd 2007
9. This ID program is a not just a good idea, but a GREAT one. We have numbers assigned to us for everything else, what's wrong with one more? Especially when the program will reveal folks who "don't" have one, like an infra red on scorpions at night. And go ahead an print the word "beast" on mine if you want. It's all for a good cause.
Jean at 1:42PM on Mar 22nd 2007
10. Don't let the Christian nonsense sidetrack you from what is important here. Statements like "the national ID is essential for controlling illegal immigration" and that its "a great idea" are small-minded.
Please remember that the terrorists in 9/11 and in London had ID cards. They were stolen and/or forged. Do you really believe terrorists and illegal immigrants will stand in line to get their official national ID's?
Can you not see past the idea of the card being used for identification? In other countries, national ID's have led to discrimination, harrassment and extortion. Our proposed system will allow your private life to be not only tracked, but for the information to be shared with third parties. Are you comfortable with the reliability and confidentiality of such a huge database containing dossiers of US citizens?
And, please remind me when the Real ID was debated, studied, voted on...I must have missed the hearings! Maybe I should take cg's advice and "grow up" for being skeptical that this $15 billion dollar program is going to make the world safer and be well worth any threats it creates to our individual freedoms in the process.
Larry at 5:03PM on Mar 22nd 2007
11. Ron Paul is the ONLY Republican for whom I would EVER vote. He WILL be getting my vote even if I have to write him in.
As far as religion goes, I feel organized religion is one of the worst things to have ever evolved from humanity. But religion aside the Real ID Act was one of the worst pieces of legislation to have ever come out of Congress, right up there with the PATRIOT ACT, PATRIOT II, and the Military Tribunals thing.
Ron Paul would put this nation back on the Constitutional track and away from the road to dictatorship which it is currently taking.
Witchwindy at 12:11PM on Mar 30th 2007
12. Ron Paul isn't afraid to discuss issues with anyone who wants to talk, no matter what the platform is. It doesn't mean that he is a member of the group, or even agrees with the views/agenda.
Perrie Campbell at 8:01PM on Apr 14th 2007
13. "This ID program is a not just a good idea, but a GREAT one. We have numbers assigned to us for everything else, what's wrong with one more?"
All you have to do is look at our Social Security numbers to realize that it's a horrible idea. When SSI numbers were first started, the number was to be used for NOTHING ELSE. It didn't take long for everyone who took a check from you to demand that information. (They can't do that now.)
The plan is to encrypt volumes of information about you on the card. Care to guess how long it will be before enterprising identity thieves figure out how to read your card as you pass by?
It won't do ANYTHING to identify the terrorists among us, but it will make YOU easy prey for anyone who has the brains or bucks to acquire the
the technology.
Perrie Campbell at 8:19PM on Apr 14th 2007
14. "I see Ron Paul's flaks are posting in his defense, posing as citizens."
So now we're not citizens? Give me a break. Ron Paul would be the LAST candidate pulling that sort of thing. If you're looking for paid shills, you'd better check out the candidates that are wallowing in money, like Romney, who's giving students a cut on the money they raise.
P Campbell at 8:38PM on Apr 14th 2007
15. UH OH
I seem to remember that this issue of id cards has been before the Supreme Court many times and it has always lost. It is inherently unconstitutional..
I suggest the people who believe that the Social Security card can be used for identification or that a national id card is Constitutional educate themselves on American Constitutional Concepts. Europe has had state mandated identification for everything from street strolling to renting a house for many many many years. America has always rejected it.
Uh Oh at 5:42PM on May 5th 2007