My Letter to Representative Sharon Tyler, followed by her answer

Dear Representative Tyler,

My purpose in writing is to register my displeasure with the U.S. Department of Transportation intruding into state matters. As you know USDOT regularly funds additional patrols by state, county and local police departments, specifically targeting alleged DUI offenders. USDOT has made it mandatory that state & local agencies participate in these federally sponsored sweeps by threatening the loss of federal highway funds for their respective states if they do not comply.

I strongly object to this federal intrusion into a matter which should belong solely to the states. While USDOT’s motives may be noble, that is beside the point and has nothing to do with the reason for my objection. There are an infinite number of good and noble causes to be addressed in our state. That is why we have an elected state legislature to decide the priorities in addressing them. If the Michigan Legislature should decide to expend more resources on apprehending and punishing drunk drivers, that is well and good. I would then have an opportunity to express my pleasure or displeasure with that decision at the next election.

But it is very difficult for me to express my displeasure with the policies of faceless federal bureaucrats who believe they are wiser than our state legislators, and who take it upon themselves to decide what is good for me and where my tax money should be spent. This is a bad precedent. If we continue allowing USDOT unchecked authority in this matter on the basis that eliminating drunk drivers is a noble cause, who is to say what their next “noble cause” might be?

My concern applies to all federal agencies, not just the DOT. For example, it is not a stretch to envision a Department of Health and Human Services, emboldened by the DOT’s example, to limit the number of BigMac cheeseburgers Michiganians eat based on the "noble cause” that obesity must be reduced in order to control health care costs. Where does it end?

I respectfully ask if you are opposed or in favor of this federal intrusion and circumvention of our state legislature, and what action, if any, you intend to take on it. By the way, I’m not interested in a form letter stating your opposition to drunk driving. As I said, that misses the point.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. McCort
PO Box 133
New Troy, MI 49119

Dear Mr. McCort:

Thank you for your email regarding the intrusion of the federal government into the affairs of state government. It is important to me to know the concerns of my constituents, so I am grateful that you have taken the time to contact me regarding this matter.

I appreciate your information about this specific way in which the federal government is usurping state authority. Unfortunately, I believe that actions like this have been going on for quite some time. It seems that ever since the rise of the New Deal, the citizens of this country have relied less on themselves and their local units of government and more on the federal government. While I believe that there is a proper place for the federal government, it is my desire to allow Michigan to keep as much of its autonomy as possible. Please be assured that I will do all I can to work toward that end while in office.

Again, thank you for your email; I am grateful that you have expressed your concerns. It is an honor to serve as your state representative, and I hope you will feel free to contact me again with any other questions or concerns.

Sincerely,


REPRESENTATIVE SHARON TYLER
78th District
1097 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7514
Phone: (517) 373-1796