Local man calls for Convention of States to bypass federal government

If you ask Bob Reinisch, he’ll tell you the federal government has overstepped its bounds.

“Our federal government will get too big for their britches, and we need a way to rein them in,” said Reinisch.

The Idaho Falls man and aging veteran hit the greenbelt Thursday to hand out pamphlets calling for a Convention of States, which he said is allowed under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, provided certain conditions are met.

“(It) requires a minimum of 34 states to apply for a convention. They can get together, establish amendments to the constitution,” said Reinisch.

At least three states have already applied, including Georgia, Florida and Alaska. Reinisch is hoping Idaho will become the latest.

Should a convention be convened and the Constitution amended, Reinisch said those amendments would then have to be ratified by all 50 states, essentially bypassing the federal government.

Jacqueline Fonnesbeck said she was skeptical upon being approached by Reinisch, but soon warmed to his proposal.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. We need to localize government more and have more control,” said Fonnesbeck.

As for whether any this will actually happen remains unclear, but Reinisch said he will continue to spread the word.

“I was left with no hope with this present administration and the way our government is going. This gives me hope,” said Reinisch.

This proposal is being championed by a national group called Citizens for Self-Governance.