Interesting idea

[Idaho]

This came to my email in-box. Should get some interesting discussion going.

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE
Thursday, November 4th, 2010 | Uncategorized | 12 Comments
Most people know that the State of California is an economic basket case. So much so that the idea of a federal bailout of the state has been proposed. Considering the composition of the new Congress, it’s not likely to happen but if the question should come up, Anita Hurley has an intriguing suggestion:

If CA asks for a Fed bailout, they have to be willing to give up statehood and go to territory status. No Reps, no Sens, just taxes.

There’s a lot to be said for an idea like that. If your state needs a bailout from Washington in order to keep going, then you have tacitly admitted that you can no longer make a go of it on you own. So your state has essentially “territorialized” itself.

Once again, considering the new Congress, I doubt this idea ever sees the light of day. And there are constitutional issues that need to be studied and clarified.

I’m not sure it’s necessary to remove a star from the American flag although you can make a good case that California should be reduced to territorial status, with one congressional representative without vote, until that money is paid back.

But if the question does come up, California’s senators and representatives should be permitted no input into the discussion at all(your bank doesn’t let you dictate the terms of your home loan). “You want federal money?” Sacramento should be told. “If you want a bailout, these are our terms and conditions. Take them or leave them.”