The Wednesday Read 

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Welcome! Here are the topics for today’s independent commentary:

  • Gianforte – Desantis
  • Trump Executive Order
  • Leave of Absence
  • One More Thing

GIANFORTE – DESANTIS:

In case you missed it, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday championed a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution as a solution to the out-of-control spending in Washington, D.C. (Press Release)

A balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution would require the federal government to spend within its means. In the United States, every state but one has a balanced budget requirement in its constitution. (Press Release)

Almost every year, someone wants the federal government to have a balanced budget. Do a Google search for “bills introduced in Congress for balanced budget,” and you can see that in Congress after Congress someone tried it. 

Most states do have the requirement in their constitution. Here in Montana, it’s a political talking point the governor uses to say he/she balanced the budget, although it is required by the Montana Constitution. (Source) 

So, it is a great idea, but I don’t see it happening. It did get Gianforte and DeSantis some publicity. 

TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER:

The Associated Press (AP) reports that President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order to overhaul elections in the U.S., including requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and demanding that all ballots be received by Election Day.

NBC News reported that Trump’s order directs the Election Assistance Commission, an independent, bipartisan commission that supports election officials, to redo its voter registration form and require voters to show U.S. passports or other government ID that shows citizenship to register to vote.

In other words, Trump and company want to make it tougher for people they don’t like to vote. It’s already against federal law for non-citizens to vote in federal elections. Only a few cases have been found where non-citizens tried to vote. (Source) 

This is another Executive Order that will be challenged in court. 

LEAVE OF ABSENCE:

I will be away from the computer for a few days because of a scheduled surgery. 

I will occasionally check and post on X (@TheWesternWord) and The Western Word Facebook page.  BTW, you should follow me on X and The Western Word Facebook page! 

I shall return! 

ONE MORE THING: 

I received the following message on my phone Tuesday:

Txt STOP to opt out of updates on war plans

## THE END ##

2 thoughts on “The Wednesday Read ”

  1. Actually, a balanced budget requirement at the federal level might provide some unexpected benefits. Once it was in place, Congress would proceed to devote their entire agenda to promulgating every conceivable exception and/or loophole to the restriction. The time and effort so focused would allow little to spare for actually governing. With the Congress we have now, that would be a major blessing.

  2. It’s always easy for governors to yak about balanced budgets when the states receive so much money from the federal government each year. Money that’s creating that big federal deficit.

    Maybe Elon should just cut off all money flowing to the the states and then let’s see how big Gianforte and DeSantis talk.

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