Congress Working to Compel States to Have Stricter Teen Driver Rules

By Douglas V. Gibbs

The United States Senate has approved a bill that may lead to a law enabling the federal government to compel the States to enact stricter teen driving rules.  To make the State do it, the federal government plans to use extortion, prodding the States to do it, or else suffer a loss of federal highway funds.

My first question to these fine politicians in Washington is a simple one.  "Where in the hell in the U.S. Constitution does it give the federal government the authority to do this?"

Isn't extortion illegal outside of government?

The bill offers grants to the States that comply, and penalties to those that don't.

But didn't the States create the federal government? According to the writings of the founders, the federal government is there to serve the States, not the other way around.

This bill is yet another power grab, and an assault against State rights.  The sovereignty of the States is at risk here, and the federal government is even willing to stoop to the level of extortion to force the States to do its bidding, and yet these idiots are in favor of this draconian bill.

And I don't care if it's a good idea. That's not the point.  What is the authorities granted? What is the proper procedures? Who does these powers belong to?

This is yet another time the federal government is dictating to the States, and it is not only unconstitutional, but it is tyrannical.

The bill still has to clear the House. I am hoping the republicans in control see the illegal nature of this bill, and the dangerous repercussions of giving the federal government yet another way of dictating to the States its will.

If the bill is so good, then the States ought to pass such laws on their own. If it is so necessary for the federal government to do such a thing, then get the authority through the amendment process - otherwise, the federal government has no business doing this crap.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Senate approves proposal to compel states to enact strict teen driving rules - Fox News