On August 24, 2010 the Boston Tea Party National Committee passed a resolution opposing a national ID “or any other bill that would establish a National ID card that includes biometric scanning or tracking devices” 5-0 (with 2 not voting).
Whereas governments that truly want to protect liberty have no need to track the every move of their citizens; and Whereas privacy from government is a chief cornerstone of our liberties, enshrined in the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution; and
Whereas in the past, many Members of Congress, instead of taking steps to actually end our illegal immigration problem, have chosen instead to use the issue to dramatically expand government intrusion into our lives; and
Whereas the so-called “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” proposal being touted by Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham includes a de facto National ID card that would be required for all U.S. citizens in order to hold a job legally; and
Whereas biometric scanning technology would be included in the card which could allow government bureaucrats to track citizens’ every move; therefore,
Be it resolved, the Boston Tea Party National Committee urges the Congress of the United States of America to vote to defeat any legislation requiring U.S. citizens to obtain a National ID card just to get a job — or any other bill that would establish a National ID card that includes biometric scanning or tracking devices.
Party Chair Darryl W. Perry writes, a national ID system would include a “National database of personal information that can be accessed by any Police Department, Law Enforcement Officer and/or Fusion Center anywhere the barcode on the Driver’s License can be scanned. This database of personal information would be controlled by the very people with access, so you will have no say as to what information they keep. This could include not only your driving and/or criminal record, but could potentially include unrelated information such as your medical records, library records and any other host of information that some bureaucrat deems ‘necessary’. Voting history perhaps? How about party affiliation?”
The 4th plank of the 2006 program of the BTP reads “The Boston Tea Party calls for the immediate repeal of the REAL ID Act and any and all National ID plans.” Party Secretary Brandi Duncan says, “I strongly oppose a national id card. It is highly intrusive as well as invasive to Americans civil liberties and our Constitution with no hopes of solving our “war on terror” or illegal immigration problems. Anything that is manmade is subject to being simulated and it will cost billions of dollars in the making that this country doesn’t have. There are more appropriate channels to pursue in hopes of addressing these national security issues without constant supervision and surveillance by the government.” Perry adds, “it only takes two more steps to become Germany’s Third Reich, ‘Where are your papers? Your papers, please!'”
The Boston Tea Party was founded in 2006 with a one sentence platform, “The Boston Tea Party supports reducing the size, scope and power of government at all levels and on all issues, and opposes increasing the size, scope and power of government at any level, for any purpose.” In October 2008, the party’s National Convention adopted the four point program of the Campaign for Liberty. Their program calls for an end to overseas occupation, a restoration of privacy and other liberties, no increase in the national debt, and a thorough review of the Federal Reserve. During the 2010 convention the Party adopted a new program to End the Wars of Aggression, End the Fed, End the War on Drugs, End the Abuses of Liberty, End the Immigration Fiasco.