Progressive Governments Should Unite to Announce an Critical Situation. This is The Method.
The former president's public drama frequently seems to transform even opposition into a segment of the show. We are like supporting actors reacting as he energizes his base by disregarding established principles. But what if we produced an independent symbolic action that leaves Trump aside – or alternatively having a distinct priority?
Earlier Precedents of Civic Movement
Colonists during the pre-Revolution era established novel types of protest against British policies. Rather than relying on traditional governmental institutions, they chose boycott organizations and even a pioneering delegates' meeting with no clear authorization or historical model.
These actions of public demonstration, despite limitations, ultimately culminated in a new nation. Following the revolution, founders held a convention – nominally for revising the Articles of Confederation requiring complete agreement among all members. Instead, delegates deliberated behind closed doors, replaced the articles entirely, and modified the procedure for amending the new constitution to a supermajority requirement.
A Modern Opportunity for Transformation
The Trump presidency represents a significant decline to constitutional norms, but it is also a possibility to improve such principles for the better. Like revolutionary leaders, we ought to create a selective, exclusive group – a preliminary framework development – that opposing blue states exclusively create for themselves, confine to themselves, and direct.
The U.S. Constitution already provides certain provisions for such action.
Creating an Regional Agreement
The selected regions could convene to draft a regional agreement between themselves, embracing the idea if not the exact wording of similar arrangements which the national charter's interstate agreement clause references. They would propose to Congress for approval as national legislation. Naturally approval seems unlikely in this case, as Congress in its current broken form is incapable regarding significant constitutional reform, in any form.
But the goal would be to put forward a prototype for a new type of American government, in a future political landscape, that maintains elements of the current political system that remains functional, together with substantial transformation in response to current challenges.
A Practical Example
Consider this: Several progressive states would proclaim a national emergency. The governors could convene a select number like-minded anti-Trump regions to appoint representatives chosen either by constituents or the legislature. The delegates’ job would include to draw up a multi-state partnership, a statement of entitlements for residents and duties of the participating governments.
The compact would divide financial support for these responsibilities between the states and national authorities, in the event of eventually approved at the federal level. It would establish requirements that Washington would resource – just for participating regions and future that later choose to participate the partnership.
An Inspirational Preamble
This agreement would open with a statement in which We the People of participating regions acknowledge not just our protections but also our responsibilities to respect one another fairly. The preamble would recognize our responsibilities to guarantee each person obtains sufficient nutrition, retirement benefits, health services, productive jobs for protection in a time of digital transformation. It should be explicit regarding the dangers automated systems and climate change. It must demand on national responsibility in scientific advancement and scientifically based medical care so that our quality improves and longer lives.
Addressing Previous Violations
And then there should follow a specific list of violations by the Trump administration, damaging actions, that should be punished and corrected, and abuses by federal courts, including the campaign finance decision, that should be nullified by states adopting the compact.
Initially, the states ought to invite DC and the territory to engage with equal status on the same footing and participate the agreement.
The Most Difficult Aspect – Funding
Next involves the biggest challenge – money. The partnership would outline designated projects which regional governments must finance and those which national authorities ought to support – at least for member governments that ratify the compact. This agreement would serve as both a structural document enduring, and a financial plan for short-term action. It must contain a reinstatement of funding for Medicaid, and reduction of payments for alternative models of healthcare.
A Welcoming Offer
Finally, this agreement must incorporate an offer to Texas, Florida, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, and any further uninvolved government to participate too, although they were not first approached.
Political Significance
Whatever might be claimed opposing such a compact, it might shift the former president from center stage and show a particular norm-breaking courage from a status-quo left. It might offer progressive regions credit for independent symbolic breaking of the pottery. More effective if the other states decline to participate. {In