The answer is obvious, soft secession. The blue states should escrow federal taxes equal to the amount Trump is withholding from Congressionally approved funding until he releases it.
Is that even possible? CA, where I live, is donor state by a long shot. It would certainly hurt the Feds to lose the CA taxes. I'm all for it if it's possible, but only because of the vicious behavior from the moron and his R vassals. Otherwise, I think most residents of CA are in favor of helping the less fortunates. I carried a sign at the No Kings Rally Saturday: "Hate won't make us great".
Agree John. I'm in California as well. It seems location wise we could easily break off from the rest of the country. Only kidding. I carried a flag on Saturday. I thought it important to let him see that we do love our country. That's why we took the time to let him know.
But Trump doesn’t see or care that we love our country! He ignores it, lies about it, and continues to divide divide divide. I know that as sane and moral people, we feel that the Republicans just have to see the light, but unfortunately, I think they are proving that their hearts and eyes are closed tightly.
They do need to take a stand. Honestly, if we are not receiving federal services or they are severely reduced, especially if the burden falls to the states, then we should pay reduced taxes. Period. If someone doesn't fill my orders, I don't pay them. I take my money and go home. I agree, WITHHOLD!
No taxation without representation. The Blue states need to band together and hold federal taxes in receivership or some other instrument to deny funding to a government that shits on us. We need to define ourselves and show who they are by their own words and deeds. We need intel on the movements of the administration and its supporters and writers that can craft factual, hard-hitting truthful statements about who and what they are that can be repeated across all types of media. 7 million people showed up for the rally they and many more that could not attend but honked in support posting and writing letters to editors can "flood the zone". They must be put in a defensive posture and knocked out.
I'm not clear on the legality of states holding federal taxes...but I have heard of workers delaying withholding tax at their jobs by claiming the minimum number of exemptions. True, you then have to pay taxes at the end of the year, but meanwhile that money is not available for the fed gov to abuse the population with.
Rural red areas are starting to see the hypocrisy…I have a cabin in a small Colorado town represented by Jeff Hurd. I read the weekly paper , and find the letters to the editor very enlightening. They’re not happy that ol’ Jeff said that he supports rural healthcare, in an area where individuals and the med center rely heavily on Medicaid..then voted with fellow Republicans for the “clean CR” that savages these programs. The people noticed. They’re not happy.
Hey Adam! The MAGA folks are entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts. Don't confuse them and make their heads explode with the actual facts! There won't he a hospital to save them because Donffrey Trumpstein gave the money to his billionaire buddies, and lest we forget...Argentina! Then there is those new private jets for Cosplay Barbie Noem.
While I kind of agree with Gary, I'll add another prescription: When Dems retake control of the house next year, they can resume the congressional oversight of this sort of thing, since the GOP-dominated house refuses to exercise it and has freely forfeited their "power of the purse" to the executive branch.
Agree and that not the only thing they should do. Among other things: break up the monopoly the oligarchs have on the levers of mass communication, nationalize Musk’s satellite network to insure its availability in times of crisis, prosecute the entire Trump team for their corruption, crimes against humanity and treason.
Gary, we could go on and on. Enlarge the court. Overturn Citizen's United. Strengthen the emoluments clause to truly forbid all profiteering in office. Dems will have their work cut out for them...first we gotta wrest control of the house.
This is spot on! Citizens United may seemed well-intentioned but has missed the mark terribly.
Those with all the dough pour millions, if not billions into campaigns and get all the perks big money has gotten over the years. Namely, legislation that give them tax breaks and access to government money. Take a look at Elon without the tax benefits offered for solar.
Also, remember John McCain’s efforts for true campaign reform. We all found out that was to
fail miserably out of the gate since congressmen and senators were going to have to play on a level playing field.
How about tripling or quadrupling everyone’s salary and subjecting them to regular oversight. Maybe their thoughts might turn more toward their constituents vs retaining the power they accumulate with time in office.
The irony is that in a modern constitutional monarchy there IS a failsafe against a gov't that can't pass a budget. It's called a vote of no confidence. If the gov't can't get enough votes to approve its budget, it's called no confidence and the gov't is required to call an election even if it's only one year into its term. Sometimes that's unpopular with the citizenry and the party that forced the election is punished at the voting booths so politicians don't do it lightly. But if they feel that the gov't is unpopular enough, the significant minority who hold the necessary votes will vote no confidence and an election will ensue. (Just a bit of international political science.)
Good idea — and after a long chilly winter of being hit with negative realities of Trump policies perhaps more republicans will become (if only temporarily) *Independents!
How long / much will they be willing to blindly suffer for what dubious causes?
I’m really worried about the integrity of the 26 election. I’m 80 and never thought I would feel this way. My concern is the significant gerrymandering and the SC over turning the Voting Rights Act or what’s left of it. I’m afraid even if we win they will pull some crap, and it will turn into another 1/6. I’m sorry,I don’t want to be a downer, but I live in a very red state and district. Nothing he does, or those pulling his strings, seems to matter. What is it going to take.
Today they tore into the East Wing of the White House to build his ballroom. If it looks anything like the Oval Office, and I’m sure it will, it will be hideous.
No Kings Day was the right moment. But now I think Democrats need to get out in red states and rural areas and let them know by hurting blue states and urban areas they are hurting themselves. Blue states pay more taxes. Without them, Red States can't survive.
This is a thoughtful analysis and perhaps answers the puzzling question as to why rural America votes to defeat itself. Maybe they do not believe their lives can be better so resentment is all that is left.
Most educated people I know look down on MAGA voters but not working people without college degrees. There is a lot we admire about them. I wish I could take a car apart and put it back together. They work hard and know things we never will. We listen to Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Billie Joe Shaver. We go to bbq joints and watch SEC football.
There is more we have in common than they know.
The right wing grifters make a lot of money stirring the hate.
Randolph I believe most people care about other people regardless of their education, abilities, clothes they wear, etc. I have to hold on to the belief that most people are good and have good motives. Here I am generalizing and my point is that both sides, at least the politicians and media, tend to generalize and lump each side into characterizations that don't really fit most people. I'm going to stick with my generalization.
Most 'blue collar' rural non-college-educated people can not take a car apart. If they could, they could make a lot of money. Not all of them work hard either. The reddest areas tend to be those that have more on SSDI and more 'prime age' men who are just not in the work force for one reason or another. Part of the reason for the resentment is the lack of opportunity they face. They *could* go get a free certificate or AS degree at the nearest community college (free in many states) or move to the nearest city but they do not for some reason. At the same time, they scapegoat immigrants, some of whom have travelled thousands of miles and risked everything including rape and death, to get here for a better life.
Sad but oh so true. I’ve told my red state friend about the federal dollars allocation. How living in CA, I should be the one who feels cheated of my benefits. They don’t seem to believe me.
Thanks Adam! Appreciate the context but truly disconcerting! What I fear the most is the hate this regime is building between the States. But as the No Kings attendance showed, there are more people becoming aware of what trump's true goals are and not wanting it! If only we had brave republican representatives that would start fighting back!
Thank you Adam and God bless you and your family! 🙏🏻
Raised in a small Western agricultural community, I can attest that rural folks also look down their noses at citified liberals who don’t know what’s what like they do in the “good, sensible American heartland.”
Rural anger and resentment stems from the tacit recognition that small town America faces exactly the same range of economic and social problems as urban centers, just at a different scale. Pride prevents them from acknowledging this fact and the vast social safety net that enables small communities to survive, if not thrive, partly gratis of blue states. These are hard pills to swallow.
I always think the republicans would be better off gaining their policies without the lying and the taking in of money from weird countries. But this makes me think that they can’t do that because they don’t have the means without using the criminals and hiding their faces and deeds. But did they really need the pedophiles and creepy haters like Miller?
The answer is obvious, soft secession. The blue states should escrow federal taxes equal to the amount Trump is withholding from Congressionally approved funding until he releases it.
Is that even possible? CA, where I live, is donor state by a long shot. It would certainly hurt the Feds to lose the CA taxes. I'm all for it if it's possible, but only because of the vicious behavior from the moron and his R vassals. Otherwise, I think most residents of CA are in favor of helping the less fortunates. I carried a sign at the No Kings Rally Saturday: "Hate won't make us great".
Agree John. I'm in California as well. It seems location wise we could easily break off from the rest of the country. Only kidding. I carried a flag on Saturday. I thought it important to let him see that we do love our country. That's why we took the time to let him know.
But Trump doesn’t see or care that we love our country! He ignores it, lies about it, and continues to divide divide divide. I know that as sane and moral people, we feel that the Republicans just have to see the light, but unfortunately, I think they are proving that their hearts and eyes are closed tightly.
Yes! Taxation without representation. The escrow idea is brilliant.
I think Maine just did something along those lines.
Some states have grouped resources to provide healthcare coverage to their people.
Great idea
They do need to take a stand. Honestly, if we are not receiving federal services or they are severely reduced, especially if the burden falls to the states, then we should pay reduced taxes. Period. If someone doesn't fill my orders, I don't pay them. I take my money and go home. I agree, WITHHOLD!
Sorry - I meant to send a message to adam but I don’t know what I’m doing!
I was thinking the same thing Gary but couldn't put my thoughts into words. Thank you
No taxation without representation. The Blue states need to band together and hold federal taxes in receivership or some other instrument to deny funding to a government that shits on us. We need to define ourselves and show who they are by their own words and deeds. We need intel on the movements of the administration and its supporters and writers that can craft factual, hard-hitting truthful statements about who and what they are that can be repeated across all types of media. 7 million people showed up for the rally they and many more that could not attend but honked in support posting and writing letters to editors can "flood the zone". They must be put in a defensive posture and knocked out.
The New Tea Party. You have nailed it.
I'm not clear on the legality of states holding federal taxes...but I have heard of workers delaying withholding tax at their jobs by claiming the minimum number of exemptions. True, you then have to pay taxes at the end of the year, but meanwhile that money is not available for the fed gov to abuse the population with.
Rural red areas are starting to see the hypocrisy…I have a cabin in a small Colorado town represented by Jeff Hurd. I read the weekly paper , and find the letters to the editor very enlightening. They’re not happy that ol’ Jeff said that he supports rural healthcare, in an area where individuals and the med center rely heavily on Medicaid..then voted with fellow Republicans for the “clean CR” that savages these programs. The people noticed. They’re not happy.
Hey Adam! The MAGA folks are entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts. Don't confuse them and make their heads explode with the actual facts! There won't he a hospital to save them because Donffrey Trumpstein gave the money to his billionaire buddies, and lest we forget...Argentina! Then there is those new private jets for Cosplay Barbie Noem.
Yeah 72 million for Puppy Killer Noem's new jets while TSA employees are working without pay.
Time for blue states to turn off the spigot. It will fail eventually but will bring to the front how much red states rely on blue funding.
While I kind of agree with Gary, I'll add another prescription: When Dems retake control of the house next year, they can resume the congressional oversight of this sort of thing, since the GOP-dominated house refuses to exercise it and has freely forfeited their "power of the purse" to the executive branch.
Agree and that not the only thing they should do. Among other things: break up the monopoly the oligarchs have on the levers of mass communication, nationalize Musk’s satellite network to insure its availability in times of crisis, prosecute the entire Trump team for their corruption, crimes against humanity and treason.
Gary, we could go on and on. Enlarge the court. Overturn Citizen's United. Strengthen the emoluments clause to truly forbid all profiteering in office. Dems will have their work cut out for them...first we gotta wrest control of the house.
This is spot on! Citizens United may seemed well-intentioned but has missed the mark terribly.
Those with all the dough pour millions, if not billions into campaigns and get all the perks big money has gotten over the years. Namely, legislation that give them tax breaks and access to government money. Take a look at Elon without the tax benefits offered for solar.
Also, remember John McCain’s efforts for true campaign reform. We all found out that was to
fail miserably out of the gate since congressmen and senators were going to have to play on a level playing field.
How about tripling or quadrupling everyone’s salary and subjecting them to regular oversight. Maybe their thoughts might turn more toward their constituents vs retaining the power they accumulate with time in office.
The irony is that in a modern constitutional monarchy there IS a failsafe against a gov't that can't pass a budget. It's called a vote of no confidence. If the gov't can't get enough votes to approve its budget, it's called no confidence and the gov't is required to call an election even if it's only one year into its term. Sometimes that's unpopular with the citizenry and the party that forced the election is punished at the voting booths so politicians don't do it lightly. But if they feel that the gov't is unpopular enough, the significant minority who hold the necessary votes will vote no confidence and an election will ensue. (Just a bit of international political science.)
Good idea — and after a long chilly winter of being hit with negative realities of Trump policies perhaps more republicans will become (if only temporarily) *Independents!
How long / much will they be willing to blindly suffer for what dubious causes?
Hi Jordan,
I’m really worried about the integrity of the 26 election. I’m 80 and never thought I would feel this way. My concern is the significant gerrymandering and the SC over turning the Voting Rights Act or what’s left of it. I’m afraid even if we win they will pull some crap, and it will turn into another 1/6. I’m sorry,I don’t want to be a downer, but I live in a very red state and district. Nothing he does, or those pulling his strings, seems to matter. What is it going to take.
Today they tore into the East Wing of the White House to build his ballroom. If it looks anything like the Oval Office, and I’m sure it will, it will be hideous.
So, how can this be turned around by the Democrats, or is it too late?
No Kings Day was the right moment. But now I think Democrats need to get out in red states and rural areas and let them know by hurting blue states and urban areas they are hurting themselves. Blue states pay more taxes. Without them, Red States can't survive.
need to stop this. house wake up and smell the fire burning. jump up and stop this crazy man who is president...
This is a thoughtful analysis and perhaps answers the puzzling question as to why rural America votes to defeat itself. Maybe they do not believe their lives can be better so resentment is all that is left.
Most educated people I know look down on MAGA voters but not working people without college degrees. There is a lot we admire about them. I wish I could take a car apart and put it back together. They work hard and know things we never will. We listen to Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Billie Joe Shaver. We go to bbq joints and watch SEC football.
There is more we have in common than they know.
The right wing grifters make a lot of money stirring the hate.
Randolph I believe most people care about other people regardless of their education, abilities, clothes they wear, etc. I have to hold on to the belief that most people are good and have good motives. Here I am generalizing and my point is that both sides, at least the politicians and media, tend to generalize and lump each side into characterizations that don't really fit most people. I'm going to stick with my generalization.
Most 'blue collar' rural non-college-educated people can not take a car apart. If they could, they could make a lot of money. Not all of them work hard either. The reddest areas tend to be those that have more on SSDI and more 'prime age' men who are just not in the work force for one reason or another. Part of the reason for the resentment is the lack of opportunity they face. They *could* go get a free certificate or AS degree at the nearest community college (free in many states) or move to the nearest city but they do not for some reason. At the same time, they scapegoat immigrants, some of whom have travelled thousands of miles and risked everything including rape and death, to get here for a better life.
Is a united country even possible anymore?
Oh, I think they are real, but magnified by Trump and the current Republicans.
Are the divisions real or made up by Republicans?
Sad but oh so true. I’ve told my red state friend about the federal dollars allocation. How living in CA, I should be the one who feels cheated of my benefits. They don’t seem to believe me.
I hope that you are sharing your thoughts with Indivisible and other leaders so we can all get on the same page.
Thanks Adam! Appreciate the context but truly disconcerting! What I fear the most is the hate this regime is building between the States. But as the No Kings attendance showed, there are more people becoming aware of what trump's true goals are and not wanting it! If only we had brave republican representatives that would start fighting back!
Thank you Adam and God bless you and your family! 🙏🏻
What did Paul Ryan say? The makers and the takers.
Raised in a small Western agricultural community, I can attest that rural folks also look down their noses at citified liberals who don’t know what’s what like they do in the “good, sensible American heartland.”
Rural anger and resentment stems from the tacit recognition that small town America faces exactly the same range of economic and social problems as urban centers, just at a different scale. Pride prevents them from acknowledging this fact and the vast social safety net that enables small communities to survive, if not thrive, partly gratis of blue states. These are hard pills to swallow.
I always think the republicans would be better off gaining their policies without the lying and the taking in of money from weird countries. But this makes me think that they can’t do that because they don’t have the means without using the criminals and hiding their faces and deeds. But did they really need the pedophiles and creepy haters like Miller?