(End of the American Dream)—More than 100 countries around the world have a national ID card. Now the United States has one too. Starting on May 7th, you will be asked to show a REAL ID card if you want to fly on an airplane. Once authorities have established that precedent, it is just a matter of time before a REAL ID card is required for all sorts of other things. Being forced to “show your papers” in order to exercise basic freedoms goes against everything that this nation is supposed to represent. Unfortunately, that is precisely what is about to happen once we reach the deadline on May 7th…
Due to a law passed by Congress in 2005 that has been repeatedly extended for two decades, anyone traveling on domestic flights must have the new REAL ID to get through routine security protocols and board a plane. REAL ID also allows access to some federal buildings and nuclear facilities. The deadline of May 7, 2025, now appears set and is unlikely to be extended again, with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) extending hours to help Americans obtain them.
We have now received official confirmation that there will be no more extensions of the deadline.
On Sunday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted the following message on Twitter…
“Starting on May 7, everyone needs a REAL ID, passport or another approved identification to fly. REAL ID helps ensure that travelers are who they say they are and prevents fraud by criminals, terrorists and illegal aliens. Enforcing federal law will help keep American travelers safe.”
How will this keep us safer?
TSA screenings are already way too intrusive.
Why do we need to add this additional step?
For decades, we have been giving up liberty for “more security”, and that has not made our society a better place.
In response to Noem’s announcement, former U.S. Representative Ron Paul posted the following…
“What Is Kristi Noem Doing? REAL ID is Tyrannical…Authored By The Same Author of The Patriot Act!”
Ron Paul is right.
REAL ID was wrong when it originally became law, and it is wrong now.
That is why so many states have been resisting it all these years.
A lawmaker from Maine named Laurel Libby believes that REAL ID is a “de facto national identification system”…
Collecting and storing people’s personal data increases the risk for data breaches and identity theft, she argued. She also said it acts as a “de facto national identification system,” which contradicts the principles of federalism and individual freedoms.
Nobody can really argue with this because it is true. A REAL ID card is a national ID card.
Nothing that they say is ever going to make that okay.
Now that the deadline is approaching, DMV offices all over the country are absolutely swamped as people scramble to get them in time…
From coast to coast, DMV offices are swamped.
“This is national. It’s literally chaos and mayhem around the country,” said Giannoulias. “In Florida, they’re sleeping in their cars, in tents, in front of the DMV. Other states are shutting down their systems.”
And for what? To create reams of data that former staffers who are no longer at decimated federal bureaus won’t ever look at.
“I’m not a national security expert,” said Giannoulias. “But to me, it seems an enormous waste of time and resources for this little star on your license.”
The primary reason why so many people are rushing to get REAL ID cards is so that they can continue to fly.
At this point, it is being estimated that 19 percent of all travelers nationwide are not ready for the deadline…
Washington state residents are running out of time to get REAL ID compliant, as an estimated 19% of travelers nationwide are still not ready.
Beginning May 7, U.S. residents must present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification during security screenings to board domestic flights.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 81% of travelers nationwide are ready for REAL ID enforcement. If the requirement were to go into effect today, 500,000 travelers would not be compliant, out of the 2.5 million people screened daily. Using the same percentages at SEA Airport, which screens around 60,000 people daily, 12,000 travelers would not be REAL ID ready.
This is going to be a real mess.
And as U.S. Representative Thomas Massie has aptly pointed out, implementing a national ID card is going to do nothing to stop foreign terrorists from hijacking planes…
In a thread of messages on X, formerly Twitter, the congressman wrote on Saturday: “Real ID isn’t needed and won’t stop terrorists from hijacking planes. Most of the 9/11 hijackers held Saudi, UAE, Egyptian, or Lebanese passports. Real ID is a national standard and database of IDs that is primarily a tool for control of Americans. Trump shouldn’t enforce it.”
Then on Monday, Massie warned in another X post that the “Real ID isn’t a database. It’s proof that your physical person matches an entry in the digital database. Its power & purpose will be realized when everyone complies, but not before. This is responsive to ‘I didn’t give them much information, I’ve had one for years, why worry?’”
He nailed it.
This is a tool of control, and I really wish that more people would speak out about how wrong this is.
The good news is that there will still be at least some other forms of identification that you can use to travel by plane if you do not want to get a REAL ID card. In addition to a passport, the following are forms of identification that will be considered acceptable…
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Between now and May 7th, we need to have millions of Americans flooding our leaders in Washington D.C. with phone calls and emails.
If we don’t speak up now, they are going to cross this line.
And once they cross this line, it will just be a matter of time before they cross the next one.
Benjamin Franklin once made the following statement: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
Over the past several decades, they have taken so much liberty away from us. Are you okay with them taking even more?
Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.