William,  I wouldn't blame the feds so quickly,  I think the locals (county clerks, or RODs)

are the ones who decided to OFFER such service to the "locals" to use in the next election

cycle, as a way of getting votes for doing such a good job.  Just like many ROD's putting the

public records online as a  service for the (Indians).   Once the dam was broken, all had

to do it to appear to be "with it"'.   IMHO        Of course all the companies pushing the programing and all the computer hardware also was a big force.  Who knows how much "payback" the clerks

or other elected officials received for approving such items.  Bet there were a lot of "junkets" to

tropical paradise locations to examine the goods being offered.   How wonderful to be a local

elect4d official these days.