{"id":14504,"date":"2024-01-06T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-07T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/?p=14504"},"modified":"2024-09-23T23:22:38","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T05:22:38","slug":"is-this-treason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/is-this-treason\/","title":{"rendered":"Is This Treason?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>U.S. Constitution &#8211; Article 1 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usconstitution.net\/xconst_A1Sec10.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Section 10<\/a>: Powers Prohibited of States<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation&#8230;.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/wex\/treaty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Treaty<\/a> &#8211; &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/wex\/ratify\">ratified<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/wex\/agreement\">agreement<\/a> between two or more nations or sovereigns; a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/wex\/contract\">contract<\/a> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/wex\/international_law\">international law<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/english\/alliance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alliance<\/a> &#8211; &#8220;a group of countries, political parties, or people who have agreed to work together because of shared interests or aims&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Confederation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Confederation<\/a> &#8211; &#8220;Union of sovereign states linked by treaties, whose common government does not directly exercise its sovereignty over their territory&#8221;; &#8220;a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/confederation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">group<\/a> of people, countries, organizations, etc., that are joined together in some activity or effort&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/treason\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Treason<\/a> &#8211; &#8220;the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance&#8230;&#8221;; &#8220;the <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/learner-english\/treason\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">crime<\/a> of doing something that harms your country or government&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are Idaho state legislators and the governor himself engaging in acts that violate the U.S. Constitution even though the Idaho Oath of <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/statutesrules\/idstat\/Title59\/T59CH4\/SECT59-401\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office<\/a> requires a vow to &#8220;support the Constitution of the United States&#8221;? It appears there is a very strong question as to certain elected officials being in violation of this oath by their activities. Let&#8217;s hypothesize that is the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making this alliance possible through a <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/statutesrules\/idstat\/Title67\/T67CH78\/SECT67-7802\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statute<\/a>, the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/governance-structure.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PNWER<\/a>) is a &#8220;public-private <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nonprofit<\/a>&#8221; that is comprised of several northwest states, including Idaho, and several Canadian Provinces. President Pro Tempore Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2019\/id753\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winder<\/a> serves on the Executive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/governance-structure.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Gov. Brad <a href=\"https:\/\/gov.idaho.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Little<\/a>, Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id3140\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Burtenshaw<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id7836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Taylor<\/a>, and Representatives <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id5381\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Raybould<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/id5374\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Green<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/rep-charlie-shepherd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shepherd<\/a> serve on the Delegate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/governance-structure.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Council<\/a>, with Representatives <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/rep-tony-wisniewski\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gannon<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/rep-tony-wisniewski\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wisniewski<\/a> and Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/id5345\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lent<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id7115\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Semmelroth<\/a> serving as Council <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/governance-structure.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">alternates<\/a>. There is also a Private Sector <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/governance-structure.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Council<\/a> made up of corporations, some of which are global. PNWER has numerous working <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/working-groups.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">groups<\/a>, and as a confederation, it works on issues that remove state sovereignty as &#8220;The gold standard of U.S.-Canada <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnwer.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Relations<\/a>&#8220;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To further his alliances, Gov. Little is a <a href=\"https:\/\/westgov.org\/our-governors\/governor\/brad-little\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">member<\/a> of the Western Governors Association (<a href=\"https:\/\/westgov.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WGA<\/a>) and its corporate <a href=\"https:\/\/westgov.org\/sponsors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sponsors<\/a>. This is a group that <a href=\"https:\/\/westgov.org\/policy-platforms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">promotes<\/a> &#8220;collective action&#8221; policies, <a href=\"https:\/\/westgov.org\/reports\/article\/reimagining-the-rural-west-initiative-special-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">brought<\/a> Agenda 2030 to Idaho, and extends its alliance through <a href=\"https:\/\/westgov.org\/news\/article\/executive-directors-notebook-western-states-have-common-bonds-with-western-provinces\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">socialization<\/a> with foreign <a href=\"https:\/\/westgov.org\/news\/article\/2017-annual-meeting-begins-us-canada-relations-cybersecurity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">countries<\/a>, perhaps moving it from an alliance into a confederation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is also the National Governors Association (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/governors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NGA<\/a>) in which Governor Little is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/governors\/idaho\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">member<\/a>. and its long list of global corporate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/about\/ngapartners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">partners<\/a>. Its program <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/bestpractices\/#programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">areas<\/a> are similar to Idaho <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/library\/?tx_category=projects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">issues<\/a>. This group <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">declares<\/a> it improves &#8220;citizens&#8217; lives&#8221; on &#8220;matters of public policy and governance at the state, national and global levels.&#8221; Working at a global level just shoved it to a confederation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Funding information for the NGA is elusive. Back in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.governing.com\/archive\/dues-and-donts.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2010<\/a> Idaho scarfed up $60,000 for dues, but saved $10,000 for skipping events. However, corporate partners can pay for &#8220;exclusive access to governors during meetings and conferences&#8221; plus other benefits (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/NGA-nonUG-AFS-J2120-FINAL-S.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pg 15<\/a>) that Idaho citizens are not allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/news\/the-national-governors-association-and-the-world-economic-forum-announce-new-partnership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">partnership<\/a> with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ideology and agendas are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/bestpractices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">offered<\/a> through the NGA Center for Best Practices (a money making <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.propublica.org\/nonprofits\/organizations\/237391796\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">machine<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/kffhealthnews.org\/news\/no-health-help-for-nga-dues-shirkers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">funded<\/a> by federal grants and private and corporate donations).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is this in itself not an act of treason?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a really frightening note, back in 2019 the NGA sponsored the U.S. China-Governors Collaboration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/news\/press-releases\/400-representatives-of-u-s-china-attend-collaboration-summit-in-kentucky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Summit<\/a>, an initiative <a href=\"https:\/\/2009-2017.state.gov\/r\/pa\/prs\/ps\/2011\/01\/154874.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">created<\/a> by Hillary, inviting China into local governments. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/usa_pompeo-warns-us-governors-risks-dealing-china\/6183926.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">State<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/7d71e0fbb6d08059a86311140c7efb26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recognized<\/a> this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dni.gov\/files\/NCSC\/documents\/SafeguardingOurFuture\/PRC_Subnational_Influence-06-July-2022.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">threat<\/a> and it was put to a <a href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2021\/12\/how-washington-soured-on-china-us-subnational-exchanges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">halt<\/a> in 2020. However, this didn&#8217;t stop Governor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolitics.com\/articles\/2019\/01\/14\/governors_build_global_ties_stability_in_challenging_times_139171.html#!\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Otter<\/a> from expanding &#8220;these healthy international relationships&#8221;, or Governor Little from <a href=\"https:\/\/cdapress.com\/news\/2022\/dec\/30\/littles-taiwan-visit-spurs-response-china\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">engaging<\/a> with foreign <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kivitv.com\/news\/governor-little-returns-from-trade-mission-to-tawain-hong-kong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">countries<\/a>. Even though Governor Little labeled this as an &#8220;agreement&#8221;, does it qualify as a treaty without legislative approval? How can either be so obtuse? As no surprise, a 2019 Minzhi-Tsinghua <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fdd.org\/analysis\/2021\/11\/15\/all-over-the-map\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> found Governor Little has a &#8220;friendly&#8221; attitude towards China (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fdd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/fdd-monograph-all-over-the-map-the-chinese-communist-partys-subnational-interests-in-the-united-states.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pg 31<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contained within the NGA is the Council of Governors (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/cog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">COG<\/a>), created by the National Defense Authorization Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/news\/commentary\/summary-of-the-2022-national-defense-authorization-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NDAA<\/a>) in 2008, and through Executive Order <a href=\"https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/the-press-office\/president-obama-signs-executive-order-establishing-council-governors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">13528<\/a> in 2010, &#8220;to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards.&#8221; Basically, COG <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2023\/09\/08\/president-joe-biden-appoints-three-new-members-to-presidents-council-of-governors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">destroys<\/a> state <a href=\"https:\/\/simple.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Federalism_in_the_United_States\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sovereignty<\/a> of being <a href=\"https:\/\/constitution.congress.gov\/constitution\/amendment-10\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">separate<\/a> from the federal government, and yours truly, Governor Little, is a council <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/cog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">member<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2023\/09\/08\/president-joe-biden-appoints-three-new-members-to-presidents-council-of-governors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">appointed<\/a> in September, 2023. Could this fall under an alliance or confederation? Or is this violation acceptable since it was created by the federal government?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Democratic and federal influence seems to be the forefront of this collective alliance through a confederation (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/A-Governors-Guide-to-NGA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pg 4<\/a>) and promoted with the Democratic president being host of the NGA 2023 winter meeting (20&#8243; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=U-iPkXnolGg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mark<\/a>), at which Governor Little was in attendance. In case a governor forgets, the NGA also has a refresher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/governors\/powers-and-authority\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">course<\/a> on a governors&#8217; powers and authority. In spite of its kindergarten level Disagree Better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/disagree-better\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">initiative<\/a>, looks like it may have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/magazine\/2023\/07\/16\/no-show-republicans-shun-nga-00106480\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dissidents<\/a> in the ranks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Putting forward a good front that he is all in for his party, Governor Little also belongs to the Republican Governors Association (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rga.org\/governors\/brad-little-id\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RGA<\/a>), which lays claim that Republican <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rga.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leadership<\/a> is a &#8220;contrast of what&#8217;s happening under Democrats&#8217; leadership in DC&#8221;. What a bunch of malarkey. Governor Little, along with the rest of RGA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/governors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">governors<\/a>, maintains an alliance with the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bipartisan<\/a>&#8221; NGA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The American Legislative Exchange Council (<a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ALEC<\/a>) is an organization that brings state legislators together as an alliance voluntarily. The State <a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/group\/state-chairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chair<\/a> for Idaho is Rep. Sage <a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/person\/sage-dixon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dixon<\/a> who also serves on the Board of <a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/group\/board-of-directors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Directors<\/a>, and on the Federalism and International Relations task <a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/task-force\/federalism-and-international-relations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">force<\/a>. ALEC has other task force <a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/task-force\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">groups<\/a> and has worked on many <a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/issue\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">issues<\/a>, truly fitting the description of a confederation. Often through this group, bills are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/articles\/alecs-influence-over-lawmaking-in-state-legislatures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">introduced<\/a> to the legislature, heavily <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sourcewatch.org\/index.php\/Corporations_that_Have_Cut_Ties_to_ALEC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">influenced<\/a> by corporations. Although there is no reference to corporate involvement on its current website, <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20150216095229\/https:\/alec.org\/about-alec\/frequently-asked-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">archived<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20120814044916\/https:\/alec.org\/about-alec\/frequently-asked-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">websites<\/a> indicate &#8220;ALEC provides a forum for the private sector to provide practical input on&nbsp;how state public policy decisions can impact jobs and the local economy&#8221;. Its 2018 Strategic Plan did mention some private <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alec.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ALEC-Strat-Plan-Final-051616.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">partners<\/a>, and a goal to &#8220;increase the number of meetings with major donors and prospects (individuals, foundations and corporations)&#8221; (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alec.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/ALEC-Strat-Plan-Final-051616.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pg 18<\/a>). These are the <a href=\"https:\/\/alec.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/2023-ALEC-Essential-Policy-Solutions.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;policies<\/a>&#8220;, or acts, recommended for 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8230;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is also the National Conference of State Legislators (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NCSL<\/a>). Legislative <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/legislative-leaders\/2024-state-legislative-leaders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leaders<\/a> that belong to NCSL include Representatives <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id43\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moyle<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2020\/id4283\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blanksma<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id2888\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rubel<\/a>, and Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id753\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winder<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2020\/id3524\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anthon<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id3139\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wintrow<\/a>. Its mission &#8220;is to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of legislatures and to foster interstate cooperation&#8221;. Although not linked by a treaty, it seems the NCSL acts like a confederation that does not promote the exercise of sovereignty over one&#8217;s own territory, instead having control over its committees by an Executive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/about-us\/executive-committee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>. The NCSL <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/state-legislatures-news\/details\/are-interstate-compacts-an-answer-to-health-workforce-shortages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">encourages<\/a> the use of contracts between states, or treaties which are forbidden by the Constitution. To influence <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/our-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">decisions<\/a> the NCSL has its own (allegedly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/newsletter\/details\/nri-standing-committee-newsletter-december-8-2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">non-partisan<\/a>) list of policy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/about-us\/ncsl-staff-directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">influencers<\/a> on different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/ncsl-search-results\/searchtext\/issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">issues<\/a> and policy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/state-legislatures-news\/details\/todays-assignment-returning-american-education-to-the-head-of-the-class\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">direction<\/a>. Who needs input from Idaho constituents when you have experts to fill the bill?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Council of State Governments (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.csg.org\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSG<\/a>) is another <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/legislative-oversight-working-group\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">alliance<\/a> which includes 13 western states via CSG <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-story\/#national-officers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">West<\/a>. CSG &#8220;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&#8221;, and &#8220;membership is automatic&#8221;. On the Executive <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a> are the same NCSL folks, Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id753\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winder<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id3139\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wintrow<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2020\/id3524\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anthon<\/a>, along with Representatives <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id43\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moyle<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id2888\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rubel<\/a>, right there along with Canada, a foreign country. Does confederation come to mind? How convenient that Idaho legislative leaders belong to these groups.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, involvement in this CSG West confederation isn&#8217;t limited to those just mentioned. It also includes Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2019\/id5345\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lent<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2020\/id2091\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ward-Engelking<\/a> on the Education <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/education-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id5376\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hartgen<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2019\/id1179\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Guthrie<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/id7115\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Semmelroth<\/a> on the Agriculture &amp; Water <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/agriculture-water-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senator <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id3140\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Burtenshaw<\/a> on the Canada Relations <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/canada-relations-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2019\/id5345\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lent<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id7835\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Just<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/id7115\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Semmelroth<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id6687\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rabe<\/a> on the Energy &amp; Environment <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/energy-environment-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/id3584\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harris<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id7836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Taylor<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id2129\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VanOrden<\/a> on the Health <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/health-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id6687\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rabe<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id3139\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wintrow<\/a> as Co-Chairs on the Housing <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/housing-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id7777\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Schroeder<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id7836\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Taylor<\/a> on the River Governance <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/legislative-council-on-river-governance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2023\/id7796\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bjerke<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id3139\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wintrow<\/a> on the Public Safety <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/public-safety-committee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Committee<\/a>; Senators <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2022\/id2132\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lakey<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id52\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ruchti<\/a> in the Legislative Oversight Working <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/legislative-oversight-working-group\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Group<\/a>; and lastly, Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2020\/id5372\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Furniss<\/a> on the Westrends <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/westrends-board\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Board<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lt. Governor Scott <a href=\"https:\/\/lgo.idaho.gov\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bedke<\/a> has his own little clique to be part of, the National Lieutenant Governors Association (<a href=\"https:\/\/nlga.us\/lt-governors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NLGA<\/a>) and its pack of corporate <a href=\"https:\/\/nlga.us\/collaborations\/partners-program\/caps-roster\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">partners<\/a>. It also has international <a href=\"https:\/\/nlga.us\/collaborations\/international\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">missions<\/a> with multiple countries and a host of <a href=\"https:\/\/nlga.us\/policy\/nlgaconsensusresolutionsprocess\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resolutions<\/a> to push upon return to the legislature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not to be left out, both Bedke and President Pro Tempore <a href=\"https:\/\/legislature.idaho.gov\/legislators\/membership\/2021\/id753\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winder<\/a> belong on the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sllf.org\/about-us\/board-of-directors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SLLF<\/a>) Board of Directors. It is nauseating that this group <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sllf.org\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thinks<\/a> it has &#8220;respect for the institution of the state legislature, and a moral commitment to protecting the integrity of that institution&#8221;, especially when the Advisory Council is nothing but global <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sllf.org\/about-us\/advisory-council\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">corporations<\/a> and other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sllf.org\/about-us\/affiliations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">affiliations<\/a>. Gentlemen, enjoy your trip to Myrtle <a href=\"https:\/\/nlga.us\/meetings\/2024-nlga-spring-meeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beach<\/a>, SC to cavort with your buddies this spring, the legislative session will be over just in time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 &#8220;legislative <a href=\"https:\/\/csgwest.org\/our-work\/legislative-oversight-working-group\/#leadership\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">oversight<\/a>&#8220;, and offer &#8220;suggestions to improve government accountability, transparency, and responsiveness&#8221; that the legislature so desperately seems to need, and provide far better solutions. Aren&#8217;t the people supposed to have the power?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heck, maybe all of this is a stretch, surely legal <a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/constitution\/us\/article-1\/69-treaties-alliances-or-confederations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">minds<\/a> would rip this hypothesis to shreds. There are limitations to the definition of <a href=\"https:\/\/constitutioncenter.org\/the-constitution\/articles\/article-iii\/clauses\/39\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">treason<\/a>, &#8220;ensure that the conduct itself demonstrated a defendant&#8217;s intention to betray the United States&#8221;; &#8220;defendant&#8217;s disloyal intent must be evident from the witnessed acts themselves&#8221;; &#8220;if there is no intent to betray, there is no treason.&#8221; &#8220;In other words, the Constitution requires both concrete action and an intent to betray the nation before a citizen can be convicted of treason.&#8221; 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 &amp; Industry (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iaci.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IACI<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone who has read this far must be outraged. Isn&#8217;t it apparent there is no government system anymore? It isn&#8217;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 <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/english\/treason\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">treason<\/a>, it does demonstrate no loyalty to our country, and it does advance the corporate takeover of our government. Meanwhile, as other countries <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2014\/07\/20\/germany-honors-officers-who-tried-to-kill-hitler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">honor<\/a> those who sacrificed their lives to resist tyranny <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germany-remembers-operation-valkyrie-the-plot-to-kill-hitler\/a-1271174\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">annually<\/a>, we sit on our keisters, not organizing our own resistance against these quislings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. Constitution &#8211; Article 1 Section 10: Powers Prohibited of States &#8220;No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation&#8230;.&#8221; Treaty &#8211; &#8220;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":14505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[243],"tags":[250,9,45,1064,395],"class_list":["post-14504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinions-op-eds","tag-brad-little","tag-constitution","tag-iaci","tag-nga","tag-treason","cat-243-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14504"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14506,"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14504\/revisions\/14506"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gemstatepatriot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}