[Gianni]

I don't see how kicking a state out would be easier. As far as I am aware, the only way to effectively do this would be for all of the other states to seceed and form a new republic, ratify a new constitution, etc. Thus, to kick out a single state would require cohernet movement of all the others, and not just 3/4.

All of this is moot, as the SCOTUS has declared secession unconstitutional. Like it or not, right or wrong, they are the current authority when it comes to constitutional matters.

[Non-Sequitur]

I don't see how kicking a state out would be easier. As far as I am aware, the only way to effectively do this would be for all of the other states to seceed and form a new republic, ratify a new constitution, etc. Thus, to kick out a single state would require cohernet movement of all the others, and not just 3/4.

Where do you get that from? There is nothing in the Constitution which prevents a state from being expelled, so your talk about secession and new republic is ridiculous. We aren't forming a new republic, we're expelling Massachusetts from our existing one. So we just do it. Tell Massachusetts that they are no longer a state, redo the flag, put customs posts around the border, cut off social security payments, etc., and it's done. Hell, we wouldn't need 49 states, just a majority vote in Congress to pass the legislation cutting off Massachusetts from the rest of us. Why isn't it as easy as that?