I think everyone is missing a deeper issue regarding your incident. Namely, how did the the DC database link to the PA database. What was their criteria for knowing that it was the same Megan McArdle in both databases? Social Security number (you know the one that is not for identification purposes)? It's not like those could be faked or stolen. Or what if it was a different Megan McArdle (from THAT McArdle branch of the family) who was the danger to society and received a citation?
In your situation, the facts all line up and it is bureaucratic stupidity. Imagine if you were trying to prove that it wasn't you and that the SYSTEM was wrong. Time to reread Kafka.
The federal government has been pushing for deeper integration of various state systems, which is like the worst of both federalism and centralization. There's a comprehensive system of information, but no comprehensive control. DC has no way to fix my problem in Pennsylvania, but they are nonetheless forbidden to issue me a license. Kafka indeed
This article available online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2008/08/the-sinister-side-of-the-penndot-incident/3966/
