I am writing in response to Rich Loudenback’s column published on June 21 titled “The Unrelenting Con-Con.” Mr. Loudenback’s column issued a series of incorrect statements relating to an Article V convention. I am writing to correct these statements.

The Assembly of State Legislatures on June 14 ratified a set of rules for an Article V convention that outlines delegate selection procedures and mechanisms to control the conduct of delegates. The ASL killed a proposal for an Electoral College style system of delegate apportionment. Idaho will be on equal footing in their representation compared to larger states such as California, Illinois and Texas.

The Idaho Legislature also has authority to codify in their state statutes additional mechanisms to control the conduct of delegates and limit special interest influence. Eight states have passed delegate selection and limitation acts that would ban lobbyists in Boise and Washington, D.C., from being appointed as delegates while imposing criminal penalties on delegates who violate the rules.

Mr. Loudenback also misleads Idahoans by citing a false statement by Joe Wolverton of The John Birch Society. Wolverton claims that conservatives are working together with progressives to re-write the Constitution of the United States. This is false. The Balanced Budget Amendment Task Force, Compact for America, and the Convention of States project are running their separate campaigns for an Article V convention. They are not collaborating with Wolf-PAC which is a progressive group vying for a separate convention for campaign finance reform.

The Heartland Institute’s Center for Constitutional Reform’s purpose is to educate all Idahoans that an Article V convention can save our country while protecting the civil rights of every citizen. I encourage Mr. Loudenback to visit our website and learn more.

KYLE MAICHLE

Project Manager of Constitutional Reform

The Heartland Institute

Arlington Heights, Ill.