Rep. Walt Minnick's statement in a Lewiston Tribune column Feb. 10 saying he would "vote for a balanced budget constitutional amendment" disturbs me. I don't quarrel with his other proposals such as curbing earmarks, supporting a line item veto and pay-as-you-go legislation, but his proposal to support a constitutional amendment is alarming, especially so with the Tea Partyers' gaining so much momentum. If they latch onto this idea, we are in big trouble. In every course I took in political science, I learned that there are several reasons why his idea is not good. One is that using the amendment process to solve immediate problems is a terrible idea. This beautifully crafted document has served us well through all the changes in our culture, technology and world status. Tinkering with it is not to be undertaken lightly/Lenna Harding, Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here.

Question: Former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig made the balanced budget amendment his rallying cry. Many in Idaho support the idea. Do you?