U.S. Constitution – Article 1 Section 10: Powers Prohibited of States
“No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation….”
Treaty – “ratified agreement between two or more nations or sovereigns; a contract between two or more countries that is adhered to by the nations party to it; an international agreement between two or more states that is governed by international law.”
Alliance – “a group of countries, political parties, or people who have agreed to work together because of shared interests or aims”.
Confederation – “Union of sovereign states linked by treaties, whose common government does not directly exercise its sovereignty over their territory”; “a group of people, countries, organizations, etc., that are joined together in some activity or effort”.
Treason – “the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance…”; “the crime of doing something that harms your country or government…”
Are Idaho state legislators and the governor himself engaging in acts that violate the U.S. Constitution even though the Idaho Oath of Office requires a vow to “support the Constitution of the United States”? It appears there is a very strong question as to certain elected officials being in violation of this oath by their activities. Let’s hypothesize that is the case.
Making this alliance possible through a statute, the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) is a “public-private nonprofit” that is comprised of several northwest states, including Idaho, and several Canadian Provinces. President Pro Tempore Sen. Winder serves on the Executive Committee; Gov. Brad Little, Senators Burtenshaw, Taylor, and Representatives Raybould, Green, and Shepherd serve on the Delegate Council, with Representatives Gannon and Wisniewski and Senators Lent and Semmelroth serving as Council alternates. There is also a Private Sector Council made up of corporations, some of which are global. PNWER has numerous working groups, and as a confederation, it works on issues that remove state sovereignty as “The gold standard of U.S.-Canada Relations“.
To further his alliances, Gov. Little is a member of the Western Governors Association (WGA) and its corporate sponsors. This is a group that promotes “collective action” policies, brought Agenda 2030 to Idaho, and extends its alliance through socialization with foreign countries, perhaps moving it from an alliance into a confederation.
There is also the National Governors Association (NGA) in which Governor Little is a member. and its long list of global corporate partners. Its program areas are similar to Idaho issues. This group declares it improves “citizens’ lives” on “matters of public policy and governance at the state, national and global levels.” Working at a global level just shoved it to a confederation.
Funding information for the NGA is elusive. Back in 2010 Idaho scarfed up $60,000 for dues, but saved $10,000 for skipping events. However, corporate partners can pay for “exclusive access to governors during meetings and conferences” plus other benefits (pg 15) that Idaho citizens are not allowed.
Through its partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ideology and agendas are offered through the NGA Center for Best Practices (a money making machine, funded by federal grants and private and corporate donations).
Is this in itself not an act of treason?
On a really frightening note, back in 2019 the NGA sponsored the U.S. China-Governors Collaboration Summit, an initiative created by Hillary, inviting China into local governments. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of State recognized this threat and it was put to a halt in 2020. However, this didn’t stop Governor Otter from expanding “these healthy international relationships”, or Governor Little from engaging with foreign countries. Even though Governor Little labeled this as an “agreement”, does it qualify as a treaty without legislative approval? How can either be so obtuse? As no surprise, a 2019 Minzhi-Tsinghua study found Governor Little has a “friendly” attitude towards China (pg 31).
Contained within the NGA is the Council of Governors (COG), created by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in 2008, and through Executive Order 13528 in 2010, “to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards.” Basically, COG destroys state sovereignty of being separate from the federal government, and yours truly, Governor Little, is a council member, appointed in September, 2023. Could this fall under an alliance or confederation? Or is this violation acceptable since it was created by the federal government?
Democratic and federal influence seems to be the forefront of this collective alliance through a confederation (pg 4) and promoted with the Democratic president being host of the NGA 2023 winter meeting (20″ mark), at which Governor Little was in attendance. In case a governor forgets, the NGA also has a refresher course on a governors’ powers and authority. In spite of its kindergarten level Disagree Better initiative, looks like it may have dissidents in the ranks.
Putting forward a good front that he is all in for his party, Governor Little also belongs to the Republican Governors Association (RGA), which lays claim that Republican leadership is a “contrast of what’s happening under Democrats’ leadership in DC”. What a bunch of malarkey. Governor Little, along with the rest of RGA governors, maintains an alliance with the “bipartisan” NGA.
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is an organization that brings state legislators together as an alliance voluntarily. The State Chair for Idaho is Rep. Sage Dixon who also serves on the Board of Directors, and on the Federalism and International Relations task force. ALEC has other task force groups and has worked on many issues, truly fitting the description of a confederation. Often through this group, bills are introduced to the legislature, heavily influenced by corporations. Although there is no reference to corporate involvement on its current website, archived websites indicate “ALEC provides a forum for the private sector to provide practical input on how state public policy decisions can impact jobs and the local economy”. Its 2018 Strategic Plan did mention some private partners, and a goal to “increase the number of meetings with major donors and prospects (individuals, foundations and corporations)” (pg 18). These are the “policies“, or acts, recommended for 2023.
So this group writes up an act, or bill, seeking to have it passed by legislators. It may be a stretch to quantify this as a treaty, but it does have that smell. A written document from different political authorities between states for the purposes of ratification by states. Hmm….
There is also the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL). Legislative leaders that belong to NCSL include Representatives Moyle, Blanksma, and Rubel, and Senators Winder, Anthon, and Wintrow. Its mission “is to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of legislatures and to foster interstate cooperation”. Although not linked by a treaty, it seems the NCSL acts like a confederation that does not promote the exercise of sovereignty over one’s own territory, instead having control over its committees by an Executive Committee. The NCSL encourages the use of contracts between states, or treaties which are forbidden by the Constitution. To influence decisions the NCSL has its own (allegedly non-partisan) list of policy influencers on different issues and policy direction. Who needs input from Idaho constituents when you have experts to fill the bill?
The Council of State Governments (CSG) is another alliance which includes 13 western states via CSG West. CSG “provides state legislators and legislative staff with valuable relationship building and professional growth opportunities through a variety of member-driven, regionally focused programs and services”, and “membership is automatic”. On the Executive Committee are the same NCSL folks, Senators Winder, Wintrow, and Anthon, along with Representatives Moyle and Rubel, right there along with Canada, a foreign country. Does confederation come to mind? How convenient that Idaho legislative leaders belong to these groups.
Now, involvement in this CSG West confederation isn’t limited to those just mentioned. It also includes Senators Lent and Ward-Engelking on the Education Committee; Senators Hartgen, Guthrie, and Semmelroth on the Agriculture & Water Committee; Senator Burtenshaw on the Canada Relations Committee; Senators Lent, Just, Semmelroth, and Rabe on the Energy & Environment Committee; Senators Harris, Taylor, and VanOrden on the Health Committee; Senators Rabe and Wintrow as Co-Chairs on the Housing Committee; Senators Schroeder and Taylor on the River Governance Committee; Senators Bjerke and Wintrow on the Public Safety Committee; Senators Lakey and Ruchti in the Legislative Oversight Working Group; and lastly, Rep. Furniss on the Westrends Board.
Lt. Governor Scott Bedke has his own little clique to be part of, the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) and its pack of corporate partners. It also has international missions with multiple countries and a host of resolutions to push upon return to the legislature.
Not to be left out, both Bedke and President Pro Tempore Winder belong on the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) Board of Directors. It is nauseating that this group thinks it has “respect for the institution of the state legislature, and a moral commitment to protecting the integrity of that institution”, especially when the Advisory Council is nothing but global corporations and other affiliations. Gentlemen, enjoy your trip to Myrtle Beach, SC to cavort with your buddies this spring, the legislative session will be over just in time.
Good grief, where does Governor Little and these legislators find time to govern Idaho? Seems like they are pretty busy flitting across the country to pal around with others and make plans for Idaho. It comes as no surprise that Idahoans are not listened to, and fed up. Other organizations are doing the work of legislators and those legislators adopt whatever bilge is handed to them. Why spend the time listening to Idahoans, it is easier to use what is made available to them.
How about Idahoans make it simple for these folks. A select group of Idahoans, with expert knowledge on these same issues, can come together, provide “legislative oversight“, and offer “suggestions to improve government accountability, transparency, and responsiveness” that the legislature so desperately seems to need, and provide far better solutions. Aren’t the people supposed to have the power?
Heck, maybe all of this is a stretch, surely legal minds would rip this hypothesis to shreds. There are limitations to the definition of treason, “ensure that the conduct itself demonstrated a defendant’s intention to betray the United States”; “defendant’s disloyal intent must be evident from the witnessed acts themselves”; “if there is no intent to betray, there is no treason.” “In other words, the Constitution requires both concrete action and an intent to betray the nation before a citizen can be convicted of treason.” Clearly, one can assume that these elected officials have no intent to betray the United States, they most likely really believe they are doing good for Idaho and the country.
Regardless, the concept of these regional groups, and those who are involved in them, is repugnant, betray our country and state for not following the Constitution, and betray the consent of the people. The harm to Idaho extends far beyond just their involvement with the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI)
Anyone who has read this far must be outraged. Isn’t it apparent there is no government system anymore? It isn’t about political parties, it is about the destruction of our Republic in which both parties participate. These bodies of alliances and confederations are destroying Idaho, and our country. Though not technically treason, it does demonstrate no loyalty to our country, and it does advance the corporate takeover of our government. Meanwhile, as other countries honor those who sacrificed their lives to resist tyranny annually, we sit on our keisters, not organizing our own resistance against these quislings.
