BAD IDEA

Let states, not power-drunk Clinton, handle DWI

Is there no end to the problems this president is going to solve?

Not to hear him tell it, with an almost daily stream of pronouncements
emanating from the White House for months now.

It may be interesting as a political exercise in attempting to set policy
by focus group and broad public appeal. But as good government it falls
somewhat short.

The latest Bill Clinton-to-the-rescue scheme is his endorsement this week
of a national standard on blood-alcohol levels for drunk drivers.

The cause may be a good one, but the solution -- a federalized one -- to
what is essentially a state problem is yet another proposed expansion for a
government that is already too big for its sizable britches.

Let the states hang onto their jurisdiction in this matter, and let the
president use his bully pulpit all he wants to encourage them. However,
using the threat of withholding federal highway funds, which come from the
states and their citizens to begin with, is just bad and intrusive policy
that goes against the grain of constitutional authority and is an intrusion
on states' rights and citizens' taxes.

Perhaps the president was a little intoxicated when he declared not so long
ago that the era of big government is over. Or perhaps he's drunk with
big-government power now.

But federalizing yet another problem is a costly and misguided effort that
should not be. Put a cork in it, Mr. President.