In a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the implications of a potential constitutional convention and its impact on state budgets and individual rights. A speaker highlighted the disparity in delegate representation, noting that smaller states like Idaho, which has four electoral votes, could be overshadowed by larger states such as California, which has 54. This imbalance raises questions about the safeguarding of rights at a constitutional convention.
The discussion also touched on the financial dependency of states on federal funding, with Idaho receiving 41% of its budget from the federal government, and Wyoming even higher at 56%. This reliance was attributed to changes in federalism brought about by the 16th and 17th Amendments, which the speaker argued have led to a loss of individual liberties and local control.
Concerns were voiced about the potential consequences of a constitutional convention, suggesting that delegates would be unlikely to vote against federal funding that supports their states. The speaker characterized the push for a balanced budget amendment as a \"stealth attack\" on constitutional rights, warning that such measures could further entrench federal control over state governance and local issues.
The meeting underscored the ongoing debate about the balance of power between state and federal governments, with calls for vigilance against changes that could undermine the foundational principles of the republic.