The US economy is already about to nosedive from MAGA actions. This just changes the way it fragments.
Battening down the hatches and hoping it will all blow over isn't going to work, this is a storm that picks up houses and deposits them in the next state
And while we are at it, the Blue states should create coalitions with Canada, Mexico, and the EU.. they would much prefer to work with us. Squeeze the red states into submission.
Yes, do a lot more transactions with other countries individually or in blocs of states, or in coalitions with other nations or with states or provinces of other countries (such as coalitions based on environmental or energy issues among the US Pacific states & British Columbia, for example), which could blossom into more extensive & intensive transnational cooperation. This kind of bonding with democratic nations should be something blue states should be doing, anyway, as a matter of self-preservation & reducing reliance on the US federal government.
Yes! CA already has an agreement with Denmark - leading the way for other states to restore wrecked global alliances, state by state!
Better yet, Blue state alliances form mutually beneficial agreements with our former (traditional) allies
An enlightened secession, minus the cruelty mentality this time around & with all the leverage that Dems in DC have sorely failed to wield but red states have displayed for us repeatedly as a template anyone can apply
I am stuck in a red state, unfortunately, but I do like your idea! Happy to infiltrate and influence here in NE Indiana as best I can. I’m serious because I do see it coming to a major territorial divide in this country. I don’t want to say civil war because that has a visual that includes old photos of men with cannons. But obviously, the US president wants a battle of sorts and is pouring gasoline where he wants it to burn and daring the communities he wants to destroy to light a match!
There are more blue citizens in Indiana than the state government and red politicians want us to know. Find your grassroots democrat groups and help the resistance. We need you. It is being said that IN is actually a purple state but Dems don’t vote because they think it’s a lost cause.
This makes more sense. It’s one the problems too. The western coast is already in on democracy (generally speaking). It could potentially align with Mexico and Canada. Potentially. But the eastern states, it’s scattered. From the Deep South to the north, there is division. The NE states could Align with Canada. But what about the rest of the country?. Much of the middle is red, except Illinois. And one or two others. Where would they be in this consolidation of territory?. A solution is not so readily apparent.
MN is pretty reliably blue. The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and suburbs are the largest metro, and other larger cities also vote Democratic. It is hard to know what direction the agriculturals areas will go soybean farmers are being hurt by the tariffs, loss of market. That population is much smaller. So is the population of the northern-most areas.
At some point, and, not far in the future, everyone-including red states should begin to feel the squeeze from his economic policies. The treasury secretary, Howard Lutnick, is a pos.
I’m not sure the territory would need to be consolidated.
But if you’re assuming that this comes to blows and weaponry comes out then your question takes on a new urgency.
I only know any alliances, any alliances that are solid and win-win, is a step in the right direction.
It’s a step away from resisting against, and toward creating what’s in our power to create.
International alliances are really exciting, because there are many countries in the world that are not as disturbed deprived and struggling as we are.
Also alliances within this country – as we can see the governors beginning to lead as individuals and also start to form coalitions
I feel the heroic outspoken-ness of the governors who are actually representing us is putting pressures on governors like the one in my state who tries to alternate pleasing Trump with pleasing constituents here
It’s been a long time coming, but the protectiveness of certain governors for their residents seems like one of the best things we have going on right now.
That, and the heroic protectiveness and solidarity of Angelenos & residents of DC resonating across the rest of the country, setting the bar high for the rest of us
And people in other states “standing with DC,“ holding signs that say DC: our 51st state” - that’s an alliance, also
Forming alliances. Perhaps every bit as effective as trying to undermine a bad thing
Maybe it would separate other blue states from the west coast - Midwest and eastern states forming our own block- we can ally with like minded states regardless of physical borders…?
Completely agree. I think Illinois has some agreements already. Blue states need to create coalitions with other countries independently. Fvck the red states.
That’s why it’s “soft succession.“ Blue states are still part of the country, they just lean hard into the “states rights” the Republicans have been touting and reinforcing for decades, and stop cooperating with the federal government when it counter to that’s state’s policies. The use of malicious incompetence and noncompliance is quite effective and Red states have demonstrated for years. Now it’ll be the Blue states adopting that playbook, and, financially, they’re in a far better position to do so, as they’ve been supporting Red states for years through federal programs.
So, no one’s going to declare, “Our state is leaving the US.” They’re just not going to participate in the parts they don’t agree with anymore, nor finance them. As many states are as large as many countries in the world , with populations and economies to match, they are quite capable of entering agreements and compacts independent of the federal government, and, in fact, already do so.
I’ve been thinking the same thing for years. What would work really well is for the Democrats to push for cutting the federal tax rate in half up to $100,000. The states could raise their own taxes a little bit in order to siphon some of that money into their own programs. It would be really hard for the Republicans to vote against a tax cut. And they would be fucking themselves in their own ass when they did it.
For so many reasons this is genius, not the least of which is that it is empowering blue states, democrats and others to fight. Half of what Newsom’s office is doing with his trump-like tweets is making people feel they are heard and making them happy. Rallying around taking power back and working towards a substantive goal is unifying. Protests and boycotts are not enough. This is actionable in a way that has negative impact on red states and positive impact on blue states. Minority rule has got to stop.
There’s probably a lot of thinking outside the box that’s been going on but not getting taken seriously or even shared aloud. I discover a hummer in myself for more ways that kindness, decency & fairness can win - simply by shutting off some taps & allowing a flow out of different spigots
I've long advocated for a very progressive tax system exempting the first $50K in income from taxation, moving up in steps of 20% per tax category up to $1 million in annual income, above which 90% is taxed, which would end up bringing the federal government more overall revenue while lowering taxes for the majority of (lower income) taxpayers. However, in our current situation under this oppressive regime your idea, if accompanied by increased state taxes (hopefully in a progressive manner), makes a lot of sense. Would any Democratic legislators be savvy enough to propose it?
The problem is, as Eli seems to be aware, you really need to figure out how to tax WEALTH rather than INCOME. Because pretty much anyone earning more than $500k, certainly anyone ove $1 million, is going to be getting most of their compensation in stocks or some other "non-income" fashion.
Unless you're able to assess the value of their stocks, etc. Accurately evaluating someone's total wealth isn't necessarily easy, either. I'm for either or both.
I’ve read several of your posts. Your, in fact, are INTENTIONALLY rude, pretty much EVERY time.
You know that that dichotomy of statement to action makes you…? A liar. What ever else you may say, all evidence shows that you sir, are a liar. So it’s probably not actually worth listening to anything else you have to say, as it’s veracity will also be suspect.
coalitions with canada + eu? lol sounds good on paper, but who do you think buys the littelist farm goods, fuels, and raw materials that keep those deals possible? it’s the “red” states feeding and powering half the world. cut them off and blue states would be the first ones scrambling at the grocery store and gas pump.
and the whole “just lower fed taxes + raise state taxes” idea? that’s how you get more bureaucracy, not less. the irs already runs lean. pile on a patchwork of state systems and you spend more collecting than you save. feels empowering maybe… but it’s fiscal quicksand.
if the real goal is making life better for regular ppl? streamline federal budgets, push energy independence, and keep inflation down. boring stuff, but it works. otherwise all this “squeeze red states” talk is just playing with the oxygen line we all breathe from. really though.
Brain dead take. Top ag states are split pretty much 50/50, until you look into the actual products. Red states produce beef and corn, blue states produce much more actual produce.
Guess why the red states grow corn and beef? Government subsidies. Its subsidy leeching all the way down for red states. Burn it down, it’s garbage anyways. Force farmers to grow food for actual people instead of corn for ethanol when it’s 1/30th as efficient as solar panels (and solar panels don’t need any arable land).
The beauty is in plausible deniability! Big Balls and Elon broke our interface. We are experiencing technical difficulties, it will take two months to fix under our mandated review and testing protocols. You will just have to print more money which you want to do anyway. We will try to catch-up when we can. The self-imposed virus that routed your money to the Cayman Islands.
Thanks so much for writing this! As a previous financial controller, I had the responsibility to make sure systems worked and were as efficient as possible. Now to go slow to go fast is very amusing because there are a hundred ways that the systems fail.
Every way I game this out, it doesn't end with fifty united states - maybe at most something like the pre-Constitution US. But maybe that's ok. Maybe two distinct experiments in how to be America is the way to move forward.
I see 23 states or so banding together. But those states manage finance, media, fresh water, culture, etc. so it's more like 60-40 for us. What - would IQ 45 invade?
YES, thank you for your article, Chris. This is the most hope I’ve had in months. I truly see this as a way forward. How can we all help move this along?
It's impossible to run a functional nation with fascists holding any elected office, since collaboration or acting for the public good is antithetical to their mission.
Exactly. And there should be no free speech provisions for those who would deny free speech to every citizen, equally. Best to get fascist out of the country, deport them and take away their citizenship. Anounce it to the world as well. Maybe no civilized nation will take them in.
Didn't loose free speech under Biden. Trump is telling the media if they criticize him they're subject to loosing their broadcast license. And newspapers and magazines are self-censoring to avoid retribution from trump. ABC and CBS were threatened with law suits. Didn't see that when Biden was criticized. Let's face trump is a thin skinned twit that uses his position and money to intimidate people and threaten the 4th branch of government.
You quote me government and republican sources and expect to believe their assertions as fact. Your at it again, Cal? Do you have a job? Or are you institutionalized? I told you to tighten your screws. By the way if you stop using the word libtard people will think you're 10% smarter that you really are.
Great idea, BathtubMarmot! I call it the Alternative States of America Protectorate (ASAP). Deport MAGA troublemakers to the Former United States (FUS). Enjoy Arkansas!
This is GREAT. But how fo we mobilize it? So far only 26 likes; we need thousands upon thousands of likes and comments to impress and spur decision makers. 👍 🤞
I'm doing my best to get people talking about our options. The legislators I've spoken to are interested but apprehensive to be the ones actually making the moves.
We need leaders in office, not followers, but that's another story entirely haha
I like how you think and have often felt the blue states subsidizing red states under this regime is ridiculous. I hope they hear you and are on board with withholding their taxes. Can we get Newsom on board?
There's so much value in battling bad ideas with good ideas. A few good ideas could change the world.
Thanks for the kind words Nancy, appreciate it 🤠
Flood the zone makes sense, but several of these would send the US economy into a tailspin no?
The US economy is already about to nosedive from MAGA actions. This just changes the way it fragments.
Battening down the hatches and hoping it will all blow over isn't going to work, this is a storm that picks up houses and deposits them in the next state
And while we are at it, the Blue states should create coalitions with Canada, Mexico, and the EU.. they would much prefer to work with us. Squeeze the red states into submission.
Yes, do a lot more transactions with other countries individually or in blocs of states, or in coalitions with other nations or with states or provinces of other countries (such as coalitions based on environmental or energy issues among the US Pacific states & British Columbia, for example), which could blossom into more extensive & intensive transnational cooperation. This kind of bonding with democratic nations should be something blue states should be doing, anyway, as a matter of self-preservation & reducing reliance on the US federal government.
We’re already doing that in California and have been for quite a while. Feds can’t do jack shit about it. 😁😁
Yes! CA already has an agreement with Denmark - leading the way for other states to restore wrecked global alliances, state by state!
Better yet, Blue state alliances form mutually beneficial agreements with our former (traditional) allies
An enlightened secession, minus the cruelty mentality this time around & with all the leverage that Dems in DC have sorely failed to wield but red states have displayed for us repeatedly as a template anyone can apply
Yes bypass Mr tariff
WOW!
I am stuck in a red state, unfortunately, but I do like your idea! Happy to infiltrate and influence here in NE Indiana as best I can. I’m serious because I do see it coming to a major territorial divide in this country. I don’t want to say civil war because that has a visual that includes old photos of men with cannons. But obviously, the US president wants a battle of sorts and is pouring gasoline where he wants it to burn and daring the communities he wants to destroy to light a match!
There are more blue citizens in Indiana than the state government and red politicians want us to know. Find your grassroots democrat groups and help the resistance. We need you. It is being said that IN is actually a purple state but Dems don’t vote because they think it’s a lost cause.
This makes more sense. It’s one the problems too. The western coast is already in on democracy (generally speaking). It could potentially align with Mexico and Canada. Potentially. But the eastern states, it’s scattered. From the Deep South to the north, there is division. The NE states could Align with Canada. But what about the rest of the country?. Much of the middle is red, except Illinois. And one or two others. Where would they be in this consolidation of territory?. A solution is not so readily apparent.
MN is pretty reliably blue. The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and suburbs are the largest metro, and other larger cities also vote Democratic. It is hard to know what direction the agriculturals areas will go soybean farmers are being hurt by the tariffs, loss of market. That population is much smaller. So is the population of the northern-most areas.
At some point, and, not far in the future, everyone-including red states should begin to feel the squeeze from his economic policies. The treasury secretary, Howard Lutnick, is a pos.
Please name one head of a Federal agency that isn’t a POS! None of these people are competent or qualified, which is why they were chosen.
No argument here
I’m not sure the territory would need to be consolidated.
But if you’re assuming that this comes to blows and weaponry comes out then your question takes on a new urgency.
I only know any alliances, any alliances that are solid and win-win, is a step in the right direction.
It’s a step away from resisting against, and toward creating what’s in our power to create.
International alliances are really exciting, because there are many countries in the world that are not as disturbed deprived and struggling as we are.
Also alliances within this country – as we can see the governors beginning to lead as individuals and also start to form coalitions
I feel the heroic outspoken-ness of the governors who are actually representing us is putting pressures on governors like the one in my state who tries to alternate pleasing Trump with pleasing constituents here
It’s been a long time coming, but the protectiveness of certain governors for their residents seems like one of the best things we have going on right now.
That, and the heroic protectiveness and solidarity of Angelenos & residents of DC resonating across the rest of the country, setting the bar high for the rest of us
And people in other states “standing with DC,“ holding signs that say DC: our 51st state” - that’s an alliance, also
Forming alliances. Perhaps every bit as effective as trying to undermine a bad thing
Yes. I absolutely agree.
Maybe it would separate other blue states from the west coast - Midwest and eastern states forming our own block- we can ally with like minded states regardless of physical borders…?
Completely agree. I think Illinois has some agreements already. Blue states need to create coalitions with other countries independently. Fvck the red states.
Yes!! Am in the UK and we are partnered with Illinois on several policies! xx
And Canada is the most likely country.
Trump will seemly invoke the Constitution, for which he has 0 respect or knowledge of. The part that says states cannot secede.
That’s why it’s “soft succession.“ Blue states are still part of the country, they just lean hard into the “states rights” the Republicans have been touting and reinforcing for decades, and stop cooperating with the federal government when it counter to that’s state’s policies. The use of malicious incompetence and noncompliance is quite effective and Red states have demonstrated for years. Now it’ll be the Blue states adopting that playbook, and, financially, they’re in a far better position to do so, as they’ve been supporting Red states for years through federal programs.
So, no one’s going to declare, “Our state is leaving the US.” They’re just not going to participate in the parts they don’t agree with anymore, nor finance them. As many states are as large as many countries in the world , with populations and economies to match, they are quite capable of entering agreements and compacts independent of the federal government, and, in fact, already do so.
Squeeze the red state out.
9 ZZ so we 9898,I>9
I’ve been thinking the same thing for years. What would work really well is for the Democrats to push for cutting the federal tax rate in half up to $100,000. The states could raise their own taxes a little bit in order to siphon some of that money into their own programs. It would be really hard for the Republicans to vote against a tax cut. And they would be fucking themselves in their own ass when they did it.
I couldn't agree more. There's ZERO reason the Democratic party can't advocate for lower taxes on the working class and do so LOUDLY.
For so many reasons this is genius, not the least of which is that it is empowering blue states, democrats and others to fight. Half of what Newsom’s office is doing with his trump-like tweets is making people feel they are heard and making them happy. Rallying around taking power back and working towards a substantive goal is unifying. Protests and boycotts are not enough. This is actionable in a way that has negative impact on red states and positive impact on blue states. Minority rule has got to stop.
Amen to THAT! Minority Rule HAS TO STOP!
I love this comment. “Minority…” perfect.
Brilliant. I love it. That's thinking outside the box.
There’s probably a lot of thinking outside the box that’s been going on but not getting taken seriously or even shared aloud. I discover a hummer in myself for more ways that kindness, decency & fairness can win - simply by shutting off some taps & allowing a flow out of different spigots
You don’t want to play fair?
Then ok, we’ll play fair WITHOUT YOU
I've long advocated for a very progressive tax system exempting the first $50K in income from taxation, moving up in steps of 20% per tax category up to $1 million in annual income, above which 90% is taxed, which would end up bringing the federal government more overall revenue while lowering taxes for the majority of (lower income) taxpayers. However, in our current situation under this oppressive regime your idea, if accompanied by increased state taxes (hopefully in a progressive manner), makes a lot of sense. Would any Democratic legislators be savvy enough to propose it?
The problem is, as Eli seems to be aware, you really need to figure out how to tax WEALTH rather than INCOME. Because pretty much anyone earning more than $500k, certainly anyone ove $1 million, is going to be getting most of their compensation in stocks or some other "non-income" fashion.
Unless you're able to assess the value of their stocks, etc. Accurately evaluating someone's total wealth isn't necessarily easy, either. I'm for either or both.
How about a wealth tax instead of an income tax?
I'm for either or both, but it must be progressive.
You are both dense & gullible. Typical MAGA, everything you believe is the opposite of what is true.
You maggots should stop with the incest and beastiality.
“I honestly do not mean to be rude.”
I’ve read several of your posts. Your, in fact, are INTENTIONALLY rude, pretty much EVERY time.
You know that that dichotomy of statement to action makes you…? A liar. What ever else you may say, all evidence shows that you sir, are a liar. So it’s probably not actually worth listening to anything else you have to say, as it’s veracity will also be suspect.
Good day.
Such excellent ideas being proposed here.
Are our Democratic representatives in Congress doing ANYTHING? Writing “strongly worded letters “
ain’t cutting it! I’m VERY disappointed in them!!
coalitions with canada + eu? lol sounds good on paper, but who do you think buys the littelist farm goods, fuels, and raw materials that keep those deals possible? it’s the “red” states feeding and powering half the world. cut them off and blue states would be the first ones scrambling at the grocery store and gas pump.
and the whole “just lower fed taxes + raise state taxes” idea? that’s how you get more bureaucracy, not less. the irs already runs lean. pile on a patchwork of state systems and you spend more collecting than you save. feels empowering maybe… but it’s fiscal quicksand.
if the real goal is making life better for regular ppl? streamline federal budgets, push energy independence, and keep inflation down. boring stuff, but it works. otherwise all this “squeeze red states” talk is just playing with the oxygen line we all breathe from. really though.
Brain dead take. Top ag states are split pretty much 50/50, until you look into the actual products. Red states produce beef and corn, blue states produce much more actual produce.
Guess why the red states grow corn and beef? Government subsidies. Its subsidy leeching all the way down for red states. Burn it down, it’s garbage anyways. Force farmers to grow food for actual people instead of corn for ethanol when it’s 1/30th as efficient as solar panels (and solar panels don’t need any arable land).
End all commodity supports. End biodiesel and ethanol subsidies. Double federal royalties of gas production on federal lands.
Thanks for the distinction - red states growing subsidized corn & beef. This is problematic!
The beauty is in plausible deniability! Big Balls and Elon broke our interface. We are experiencing technical difficulties, it will take two months to fix under our mandated review and testing protocols. You will just have to print more money which you want to do anyway. We will try to catch-up when we can. The self-imposed virus that routed your money to the Cayman Islands.
Thanks so much for writing this! As a previous financial controller, I had the responsibility to make sure systems worked and were as efficient as possible. Now to go slow to go fast is very amusing because there are a hundred ways that the systems fail.
Thanks for writing!
That's some fascinating experience!
Thanks for reading!
Always living on the edge lol
Every way I game this out, it doesn't end with fifty united states - maybe at most something like the pre-Constitution US. But maybe that's ok. Maybe two distinct experiments in how to be America is the way to move forward.
I see 23 states or so banding together. But those states manage finance, media, fresh water, culture, etc. so it's more like 60-40 for us. What - would IQ 45 invade?
Yes, the Blue states have the water!
I hope North Carolina is one of them, but we are being invaded by the Trumpian political view.
You are truly a battleground state!
That was exactly my take away too.
I have been wondering the same thing! From your lips to God’s ears. Now, how can we make this happen? Thank you Chris, great article.
Thanks for reading Linda!
I am thinking a lot about how to make this all happen.
We know how to get it done, maybe other legislators just start organically following the lead of folks who are actually making the moves to WIN.
Love this - who are the folks ‘making the moves’ how can we support this?!
How can we push our governors to work together to get this done?
YES, thank you for your article, Chris. This is the most hope I’ve had in months. I truly see this as a way forward. How can we all help move this along?
This is fucking brilliant, Chris. Now we just need to get all blue states on board.
Absolutely. They are anti-democracy. The is no place in a democratic society for citizens undermining our government.
It's impossible to run a functional nation with fascists holding any elected office, since collaboration or acting for the public good is antithetical to their mission.
Exactly. And there should be no free speech provisions for those who would deny free speech to every citizen, equally. Best to get fascist out of the country, deport them and take away their citizenship. Anounce it to the world as well. Maybe no civilized nation will take them in.
Didn't loose free speech under Biden. Trump is telling the media if they criticize him they're subject to loosing their broadcast license. And newspapers and magazines are self-censoring to avoid retribution from trump. ABC and CBS were threatened with law suits. Didn't see that when Biden was criticized. Let's face trump is a thin skinned twit that uses his position and money to intimidate people and threaten the 4th branch of government.
You quote me government and republican sources and expect to believe their assertions as fact. Your at it again, Cal? Do you have a job? Or are you institutionalized? I told you to tighten your screws. By the way if you stop using the word libtard people will think you're 10% smarter that you really are.
Brilliant ideas!! Restack this, readers!
Great idea, BathtubMarmot! I call it the Alternative States of America Protectorate (ASAP). Deport MAGA troublemakers to the Former United States (FUS). Enjoy Arkansas!
This is GREAT. But how fo we mobilize it? So far only 26 likes; we need thousands upon thousands of likes and comments to impress and spur decision makers. 👍 🤞
I completely agree!
I'm doing my best to get people talking about our options. The legislators I've spoken to are interested but apprehensive to be the ones actually making the moves.
We need leaders in office, not followers, but that's another story entirely haha
Thanks for reading!
Well, Chris, what you’re doing is a START, arousing people like I.
If your readers haven’t read yesterday‘s posts by Timothy Snyder and Heather Cox Richardson, they are entirely in line with what you are advocating:
THE WARNING:
https://open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p/the-strongman-fantasy?r=asbf7&utm_medium=ios
THE EVIDENCE:
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/august-22-2025?r=asbf7&utm_medium=ios
Appreciate the info 🪨🪨🪨
Have you thought of living in Victor Orban’s Hungary? CPAC has celebated him 3 times. He has expressed a vision that aligns with what you wrote.
Yes - my purple state has a Governor to replace!!!! At the rate he’s going, Trifecta- envy among us constituents will motivate a big upset next year
YES! THIS!! Pound sand, leaching red states!
Love this post and agree with it totally!
The first time I read this I didn’t think it would work. Now I think it must be tried. The future of our democracy depends on it.
Oh holy cow, this gives me a great deal of hope. Thank you for articulating it so well.
I like how you think and have often felt the blue states subsidizing red states under this regime is ridiculous. I hope they hear you and are on board with withholding their taxes. Can we get Newsom on board?