Bobby Franklin: Let’s do away with driver’s licenses
The Lone Ranger rides again.
State Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, has discovered a way to end the fractious debate over whether illegal immigrants should be able to have driver’s licenses.
Or 12-year-olds, for that matter. Just do away with the troublesome documents.
State Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, in a 2008 photo mocking his colleagues’ observation that he’s often the “Lone Ranger” on issues championed by his bills. Elissa Eubanks, eeubanks@ajc.com
Sandra Parrish with AM750 and now 95.5FM News/Talk WSB talked to Franklin about his bill this morning. Listen to the conversation here.
Likewise, CBS Atlanta today gave some noon air time to the – let’s admit – unusual legislation. Video is now online, but here’s what’s posted about Franklin’s “Right to Travel Act:”
CBS Atlanta’s Rebekka Schramm asked Franklin, “How are we going to keep up with who’s who and who’s on the roads and who’s not supposed to be on the roads?”
“That’s a great question,” Franklin said. “And I would have to answer that with a question, ‘Why do you need to know who’s who?’”
“What about 12-14-year-olds who want to drive? What would stop them?” Schramm asked.
“Well, what’s stopping them now anyway?” Franklin answered.
Let us answer Franklin’s question right away: Millions of parents are stopping them, in the name of a law that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. Another roadblock: The constant fatalities, including this morning’s death of a “HERO” unit operator, that remind us that driving is serious business.
So it’s likely that we’ll continue to be burdened with driver’s licenses, despite the lawmaker’s contention that the right to burn unleaded dates back to King John. From Franklin’s HB 7:
In England in 1215, the right to travel was enshrined in Article 42 of Magna Carta: It shall be lawful to any person, for the future, to go out of our kingdom, and to return, safely and securely, by land or by water, saving his allegiance to us, unless it be in time of war, for some short space, for the common good of the kingdom: excepting prisoners and outlaws, according to the laws of the land, and of the people of the nation at war against us, and Merchants who shall be treated as it is said above.
Franklin has a concept of limited government that may sound strange to some. He has already introduced legislation demanding that state transactions be conducted in gold or silver. Franklin regularly attempts to define abortion as murder through legislation filed each year.
His answer to the debate over gay marriage? What business does the government have saying who should wed who? But that hasn’t made it into a bill. Not yet.
Addendum: Before the House adjourned today, the chamber took up the matter of the Senate’s override of Gov. Sonny Perdue’s veto of last year’s zero-based budgeting bill. House Speaker David Ralston sent the Senate’s veto message to a committee, where it will most certainly perish.
But state Rep. Bobby Franklin challenged the speaker’s ruling. The state constitution required that the House tackle the question of the veto immediately – on the floor. The vote upholding the speaker’s ruling was 164 to 1.
The Lone Ranger had struck yet again.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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251 comments Add your comment
ben35
January 31st, 2011
3:33 pm
This guy’s a moron. I’m glad I don’t live anywhere near where he makes decisions. But if I did, he’d be facing a HARD driving effort to recall him. What a lunatic.
Winfield J. Abbe
January 31st, 2011
3:36 pm
U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 10, Paragraph a: “No State shall…pass..or law impairing the obligation of contracts….” Yet the landlord-tenant law of Georgia states landlords may not write any contract providing for eviction of tenants other than provided in the illegal law which contradicts this clause of the U.S. Constitution. Imagine what it would be like if someone causing a disturbance in a store front business were permitted to continue until that business could have a civil court hearing? Well, this is what the outrageous and illegal landlord tenant law of Georgia does, costing landlords collectively billions of dollars. They are told they must pay the local unfair court for justice while store front businesses get free justice.
Georgia has the most failed banks in the nation, 53. These failed banks were mostly closed by federal regulators, not Georgia regulators. Georgia regulates landlords more than banks. This draconian law encourages irresponsible conduct on the part of deadbeat tenants to avoid paying rent and destroy the property of others in patent violation of the Georgia Constitution and the U.S. Constitution.
Tosh.No
January 31st, 2011
3:36 pm
And where are you hailing from jr1? Cause yeah this guy is dumb, but it may be a close race between you and him bro. Go jump off a bridge or something.
Ghost
January 31st, 2011
3:37 pm
I’ve long held this sentiment! That crap about it being a “privilege” to drive burns me up everytime I hear it!
They need to get rid of fines for speeding and other minor traffice “violations” too as they’re only used a revenue stream for the state and local governments!
Travis McGee
January 31st, 2011
3:37 pm
Babby Franklin, Paul Broun and others of that ilk ascribe to the “If you can’t dazzle ‘em with brilliance, then baffle them with B.S.” school of politics.
And, many in the Georgia Legislature sure have us baffled.
JustMe
January 31st, 2011
3:37 pm
I have heard of some really stupid suggestions from our politicians, but this one surely takes the cake. Good grief … what an idiot (along with those morons who voted him into office who I can only assume that they only did that because he had an (R) next to his name despite the fact that whoever running against him was probably more capable, but had a (D) next to their name, which unfortunately is the kiss of death in this moronic state)!
dude
January 31st, 2011
3:37 pm
Are you kidding me? Go drive in India for a day….thats exactly what would happen if this kind of nonsense happend. If anything they should make it harder to get a license….anyone who drives through Atlanta can tell that some people are not qualified enough to be driving.
dude
January 31st, 2011
3:38 pm
Yeah Ghost great idea…thats exactly what we need during a recession…a reduction in Tax revenue…you are likely one of the people I described in my last post.
horse
January 31st, 2011
3:40 pm
All of those who agree with Bobby Franklin – especially the libertarians – be very careful about your zeal to privatize everything. When the services – roads, etc., end completely, you’ll wonder what happened, and won’t have anyone to complain to. The corporations really don’t give a darn that you’re unhappy with their services, and it’s much more expensive to “unelect” them.
JustMe
January 31st, 2011
3:40 pm
Just further proof that most Georgians will vote for anyone (or anything) if he or she just has an (R) next to their name. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good people with an (R) next to their name, but clearly this guy and our current (crook) governor don’t fall into that category.
Tonto
January 31st, 2011
3:40 pm
I know Lone Ranger. Lone Ranger good man. Franklin no Lone Ranger.
hambone
January 31st, 2011
3:45 pm
should be run out of town on rail !
Frontman
January 31st, 2011
3:46 pm
Grant Park Diva,
I think Mr. Franklin thinks it’s OK for the government to define murder, not abortion. Sounds like a very libertarian position to me with respect to marriage.
How’s that crime rate in Grant Park workin’ out for ya?
Ultimately, he raises one of a number of questions that need to be raised with respect to government control of our lives, and are not raised often enough. To simply say that “Driving is a privilege” is not a valid answer to the question, “Why do we need to have a state-issued driver’s license?” It seems that there are only two reasons for us to have licenses:
1) Safety concerns
2) Identification
The only one in which the state would have any prurient interest would be 1). Identification is a completely separate issue which could be addressed by some means other than a driver’s license. The driver’s license was chosen as the de facto identification object because the vast majority of people have one.
The state certainly has an interest in having safety regulations (speed limits, traffic laws, etc.) for its roadways; I don’t think anyone would dispute that.
But… I think all of us would say that possession of a driver’s license is not necessarily proof that someone is a “competent” driver. Also, if people are required to have valid identification with them when driving, then that allows us to control fault verification by authorities in the event of an accident. It may be that the insurers could take over the onus of the competence of their drivers, because they are the ones who have to pay for their policy holder’s incompetence.
For those who say the guy is an idiot with respect to this issue: prove it (other than by way of referencing the photo, which is pretty damning from where I sit).
Also, raise your hand if you have been living in Georgia more than 60 days and still have an out-of-state driver’s license…
Patrick
January 31st, 2011
3:47 pm
Take away drivers licenses and what will people use for ID? Those who have passports or the non-DL state ID cards might be OK, the TSA will let them through and they can cash a check with it at Kroger, but that won’t help them rent a car or when they cross the state line driving into Tennessee, Alabama, Florida or South Carolina. Because those states WILL require a driver’s license. Nobody from GA will be able to leave GA behind the wheel. Is the real goal? Idiocy.
If laws from hundreds of years ago are so magical and pure and perfect, then it is worth remembering that hundreds of years ago many people thought the world was flat and was the center of the universe, not that they could see the universe. They just didn’t know what they didn’t know.
And of course he wants to bring back the dark ages with gold and silver.
This doofus needs to go live in a permanent traveling renaissance faire. He’ll have his feudal law, his leather mugs and turkey legs and serving wenches and an a bucket to use or maybe an outhouse and he’ll not have to worry about modern anything, like money or ID. He can be illiterate too if he wants.
Andy Turner
January 31st, 2011
3:50 pm
King John didn’t say automobile. But as he said no outlaws and sneaking across a border is illegal..There are plenty of border stations just come in like a man.
TORPEDO
January 31st, 2011
3:51 pm
I GUESS HE NEEDS HIS ATTENTION SOMEHOW.
Lone Ranger
January 31st, 2011
3:54 pm
Consider that in today’s world, the Lone Ranger would be a dangerous criminal.
The Lone Ranger was a rogue former law enforcement officer who stalks and murders his enemies, while enjoying a somewhat cozy relationship with a leather-clad male companion.
Not exactly the set of life-skills I want in a legislator.
The Lone Ranger, Texas Ranger John Reid, gave Tonto a horse, and he gave a silver ring in return. There was never a ‘Mrs. Lone Ranger’ was there….hmmmm..
COMMON SENSE CITIZEN
January 31st, 2011
3:54 pm
OK, who in the heck elected this time wasting daydreaming person?? I almost used the word “man” but I don’t think he’s reached pubity yet. Someone should hand him an all-day sucker and send him home so he’ll have time to play with his whatchamacallit or his thingamagig…don’t forget a box of crayolas…whew, what a dummy!!
PR
January 31st, 2011
3:57 pm
No wonder GA government is screwed up with clowns like this in the capitol Who were the idiots form Marietta who elected this a-hole?
tom
January 31st, 2011
3:58 pm
This person is wasting taxpayers money with this type of nonsense. anyone who voted for this guy needs to be slapped many times.
JoeMama
January 31st, 2011
3:59 pm
What a whack job! This guy makes Michele Bachman seem sane and reasonable.
walter
January 31st, 2011
3:59 pm
So glad the GOP is full of “real ideas” instead of the lame brained stuff from the Democrats. Oh wait…..
Shan
January 31st, 2011
4:01 pm
This is one of the worst bills that I have ever heard of being introduced in the House. Who in their right mind would advocate for eliminating the use of driver’s licenses? We need them for identification purposes, and to ensure that there are checks and balances when people are out on the road. Instead of advocating for more regulation and scrutiny regarding who gets a license, and creating laws that prevent minor children and other unlawful persons from driving on Georgia roads, he wants to do away with licenses altogether? Oy vey…
Will
January 31st, 2011
4:02 pm
They truly should make it harder to get a license, it works. Cuts down on amount of deaths per year, will cut insurance down, and will make for a safer driving environment. Come on, why havent we done this yet.
Ellen Fix
January 31st, 2011
4:02 pm
People murder people, too — and often use illegally-obtained weapons to do so. So, let’s legalize cold-blooded MURDER too, in addition to allowing full use of guns by anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Hey, wait a minute, I think I just brought up a legitimate point: maybe SOME regulation of guns isn’t such a bad idea, after all. ATTENTION NRA!!!
Say whaaa?
January 31st, 2011
4:02 pm
So how do Republicans want us to vote if they demand we show a picture ID and yet they want to do away with the single most popular form of picture ID? These knuckleheads have just crossed over into Idiotville.
Frontman
January 31st, 2011
4:06 pm
Once again, Democrat supporters, explain your problem with this instead of just calling someone names. NB: seems to be a typical approach of lefties when they have no argument or just don’t want to take the time to make one.
BTW, I live in Rep. Franklin’s district and did not vote for him (he ran unopposed).
Bee
January 31st, 2011
4:10 pm
He voted for Obama.
Kurt
January 31st, 2011
4:10 pm
For every right and every privilege, there is an associated responsibility. Unfortunately, that concept is lost on most Americans. Do we have any “right” whatsoever to operate a motor vehicle? No we do not. Driving is a privilege, and one that is earned. A driver’s license shows that you’ve made that effort. This nitwit might be a “Lone Ranger,” but even more, he is an embarrassment to his constituents and the State of Georgia.
JAMES
January 31st, 2011
4:11 pm
do we drug test the legislature? It may be time.
Here's your sign
January 31st, 2011
4:19 pm
When you defend your legislative record by wearing a Halloween mask, Here’s your sign.
When you’re a state legislator, and you’re using quotes from 1254, Here’s your sign.
When you suggest that a state with a $18B annual budget use gold coins to conduct business, Here’s your sign.
When you propose a law that would eliminate the source of your own income, Here’s your sign.
Bob Burger
January 31st, 2011
4:24 pm
Did George Jetson have to have a drivers license,or a flyers license?
Go Dawgs!
January 31st, 2011
4:28 pm
Well, that’s quite a stretch, isn’t it? Hey, Bobby, laws requiring a driver to be licensed by the state in order to operate a car in no way, shape, or form restrict an individual’s Magna Carta-given right to travel. They restrict the individual’s ability to OPERATE the mode of transportation he or she chooses for that travel. If you’re not licensed to drive a car, you still have the option: 1) Walk. 2) Run. 3) Crawl. 4) Fly (in a plane) 5) Take a Bus 6) Take a Boat 7) Take a Train
Hire a Car 9) Ride a Bike 10) Swim 11) Skate. And, what’s stopping an underage, or infirm person from driving a car? Penalties under the law, Bobby. Do they stop every single one? Of course not. Do they stop a whole lot of, if not most of, them? You bet your sweet ass they do. You tell the family of that HERO employee that driving’s no big deal. In our society, you don’t have an inalienable right to drive a car. It’s a qualified, licensed right. It’s an activity that requires proficiency with related skills and laws, and that proficiency must be demonstrated to the state because failure to be proficient can very easily result in loss of innocent lives. In that sense, it’s no different from practicing medicine, dentistry, or flying an airplane. All are things that any fool can do, but they’re also things that just about any fool can screw up and kill somebody with, and that’s why they require training and licenses.
Frontman
January 31st, 2011
4:31 pm
Kurt,
I’ve lived in Georgia all my life and have been measured for driving skills ONCE. I was 16 and was absolutely incompetent, but they gave me a license anyway. I have never done anything to cause it to be revoked, and they have never asked me again to re-qualify, so spare me the talk about how we have to “earn” the privilege. I have not decided where I fall on whether driving is a right or a privilege – one can say that since the state “owns” the roads, it can certainly decide who gets to operate vehicles on them – but certainly people can bear responsibility for their driving without having to have a state-issued ID which gives the state’s mostly meaningless seal of approval.
Also, can someone tell me if you have to take the Georgia driving test when you have moved here from another jurisdiction? If not, do we just trust Michigan’s or New York’s or Texas’s word that you’re a competent driver?
In retrospect, maybe the negative of the proposition is the only thing that there is a cogent argument for: it may not make sense for the state to decide who gets to drive, but there may be a very important interest in deciding who does NOT get to drive. For that one, though, insurance costs and personal liability might be able to take care of that without government intrusion.
Hey Frontman
January 31st, 2011
4:36 pm
Give yourself some credit, by NOT crashing into things or people you EARN the trust of others.
Driving is not rocket science, and there are some pretty stupid drivers out there.
When I was 13 I took my mom’s car and drove all over town, did not have any problems, and parked the car back where I found it. I was expecting that driving would be somehow difficult, but it was not. If your feet can reach the pedals, you can drive a car.
Hey Bobby.....
January 31st, 2011
4:39 pm
You can keep your silly mask when you resign. You believe in smaller government, and you can show us you are a man of your word by reducing the number of Georgia Representatives by one. It’s a small step, but it’s a start.
What's Worse?
January 31st, 2011
4:40 pm
The fact that this idiot is in public office or the idiots that elected him???
Donald
January 31st, 2011
4:42 pm
Re elect another idiot people
Phil Lunney
January 31st, 2011
4:43 pm
Does he also think you can vote without picture ID? How will he replace the lost revenue? I thought we could only consider things Constitutional, not international law or historic writ, Federalist papers maybe?
Shan
January 31st, 2011
4:44 pm
@Hey Bobby…
NOW you’re talking! If only these Republicans would take this advice!
Frontman
January 31st, 2011
4:45 pm
But, Go Dawgs…
I would bet that in most incidents in which people are killed, every one of the drivers is fully licensed.
You may be missing the point. If Rep. Franklin is arguing that driving is a right rather than a privilege, I don’t think I buy the Magna Carta stuff; he may just be saying that having a driver’s license doesn’t prove anything, so why have it if all we use it for ultimately is ID only?
And, jgalloway, millions of parents don’t keep their children from driving because they are following the law – they keep them from driving because they deem the kids not ready to handle the responsibility of operating a motor vehicle.
The real question is: by what amount, if any, would the roads become more unsafe if we did not have a driver’s license exam and a state-issued driver’s license?
woodie
January 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
How did this guy get a job? That’s what I’m puzzling over. GOP is notorious for this frivolity. It’s little wonder we have so many problems.
Frontman
January 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
Phil,
We already talked about state-issued IDs; it doesn’t have to piggy back on the driver’s license. And are you justifying the driver’s license because of revenue to the state? Please. As to your last sentence, I have no idea what in the Sam Hill you’re saying. It’s incomprehensible.
NunyaWho
January 31st, 2011
4:49 pm
A huge thumbs for Rep Franklin. He is right on the money; from a blog I just read:
“Man is constantly telling you that you must identify yourself. Well, please show me from scripture where it says that you must carry papers with you at all times and submit to man whatever he wants. God defines what is good and evil; please show me in the Word of God where it says it is evil to do an act without a license from the government (i.e. such as the act of marriage, fishing, or driving). God does not say this is evil.
Keep this Truth in mind…God ordained rulers with only two duties…to reward good and punish evil (John 18:23, Romans 13:3-4, 1 Peter 2:14). That’s it! Anything they do beyond this is out of their ordained duties. Ask yourself this question, “Do licenses reward good or punish evil?” No, they do not. Courts are supposed to, but licenses have nothing to do with rewarding good or punishing evil. ”
When was the last time you saw anybody obtain “true justice” in a court of law?
Therefore, the license is worthless. It is only as good as the “true justice” in our courts. What a joke.
To Bob Burger
January 31st, 2011
4:50 pm
George Jetson’s vehicle has no wheels, and I am fairly certain that his flying car was computer guided.
If it is not an autonomous vehicle, then he would be required to get a “powered-lift normal” category pilot’s license.
If his craft could only ‘hover’ then he would fall under the more complicated license laws for hovercraft, which can involve both the rules and license requirements for boats, when over water, and that of an off-road vehicle, when on public land. Since hovercraft are not allowed on public roads, neither would George Jetson’s vehicle if it fit into that category.
Frontman
January 31st, 2011
4:52 pm
Nunya,
I’m a Christian. I think your comment is much more incomprehensible than Phil’s…
franklinstein
January 31st, 2011
4:54 pm
What’s stopping Bobby from driving me crazey?
Last Man Standing
January 31st, 2011
4:55 pm
For the sake of argument only:
* Georgia is a right-to-work state. The DMV is not unionized – and never will be.
* Privilege or right? If one can afford the vehicle and pays the taxes associated with operating that vehicle. he/she should be able to operate it free of hindrance.
* Auto insurance? There are those who would argue that the state does not have the authority to REQUIRE insurance, witness the health care debacle.
* Let the insurance companies handle the licincing of drivers? Many of those who would support that measure rail against the health insurance companies now.
Katy Watts
January 31st, 2011
4:57 pm
The guy is an idiot. He’s wasting valuabe taxpayer time and money. We elected him to addres serious issues; not akin himself to a cartoon character. And lawmakers wonder why we don’t take them seriously?
Pinestump
January 31st, 2011
4:59 pm
This is the same intellectual giant that filed a bill that would allow guns to be carried in church sanctuaries during worship services.