I had a similar idea to be implemented in my present country of residence - Australia. The state borders all seem stupid since there designed for an agrarain age. Plus the amount of power rural voters have over federal politics is insane. 40% of Australians live in 2 cities and 80% live in a coastal city. As the mining wealth from coal dies out in the next ten years there will be a massive shift in political economy in Australia.
Yes, I think the general idea of entire metro areas becoming states/provinces/regions with a significant amount of autonomy over domestic policy works in many different types of nations.
I am skeptical but willing to try to learn more. I believe some level of partisan tension and competition is needed and valuable to bring the better ideas and policies to the fore. Hopefully this and related Substack efforts will bear fruit in that direction.
But until you can explain how this enhanced federalism can be brought to bear (or brought into existence) against the overweening federal state we have now -- and the (now rather) extraordinary Left - Right division we have right now (and from my view mostly Left, but not totally so) -- I have a sense of hope over experience.
I can think of a few problem areas in trying to reconcile the existing social and governmental obligations and practices between rural Redish and urban Blueish domains. With more time I might find a rather larger number. Maybe whatever ideas you have now or discover later about upward mobility will prove to be helpful in Promoting Progress, with or without this metro based federalism.
You may recall that was the impetus for me reading your Substack. I am still willing to learn.
I think that we are already seeing movement from the local level at shift state boundaries. Most counties in Oregon have voted in county referenda to join Idaho. The Idaho state legislature has already agreed, and it is pending a decision by the Oregon state legislature. They have an incentive to agree as it will make the state more Democratic. I am not predicting success, but it is a real possibility.
If this partisan divide keeps accelerating, I believe that there will be more and more grass-roots movements to split off Blue metros from the rest of the state. I believe all it will take is for one state to successfully do so, and then it will happen all across America. It will probably work out very different from my proposal, but I think something like might well happen.
And I plan to start posting on Upward Mobility within a few weeks.
That's a well thought out concept Michael. The idea of federalisation is really good,except for the people in smoke filled homes, whom would somewhat be more important. Improtant people become megalomaniacs and tend to start wars.
Billy Hicks ( aka Alex Jones)has been talking against Maga Cities and federalism as far as 15 years ago (That's when I stopped listening to fear porn)
But if trade was not affected, Maga Cities would be a good idea .
I believe that we'll see a nationwide skisim no matter what ,so how to avoid it and encourage progress? Certainly better minds would have to be in charge than now.
I had a similar idea to be implemented in my present country of residence - Australia. The state borders all seem stupid since there designed for an agrarain age. Plus the amount of power rural voters have over federal politics is insane. 40% of Australians live in 2 cities and 80% live in a coastal city. As the mining wealth from coal dies out in the next ten years there will be a massive shift in political economy in Australia.
Yes, I think the general idea of entire metro areas becoming states/provinces/regions with a significant amount of autonomy over domestic policy works in many different types of nations.
I am skeptical but willing to try to learn more. I believe some level of partisan tension and competition is needed and valuable to bring the better ideas and policies to the fore. Hopefully this and related Substack efforts will bear fruit in that direction.
But until you can explain how this enhanced federalism can be brought to bear (or brought into existence) against the overweening federal state we have now -- and the (now rather) extraordinary Left - Right division we have right now (and from my view mostly Left, but not totally so) -- I have a sense of hope over experience.
I can think of a few problem areas in trying to reconcile the existing social and governmental obligations and practices between rural Redish and urban Blueish domains. With more time I might find a rather larger number. Maybe whatever ideas you have now or discover later about upward mobility will prove to be helpful in Promoting Progress, with or without this metro based federalism.
You may recall that was the impetus for me reading your Substack. I am still willing to learn.
I think that we are already seeing movement from the local level at shift state boundaries. Most counties in Oregon have voted in county referenda to join Idaho. The Idaho state legislature has already agreed, and it is pending a decision by the Oregon state legislature. They have an incentive to agree as it will make the state more Democratic. I am not predicting success, but it is a real possibility.
If this partisan divide keeps accelerating, I believe that there will be more and more grass-roots movements to split off Blue metros from the rest of the state. I believe all it will take is for one state to successfully do so, and then it will happen all across America. It will probably work out very different from my proposal, but I think something like might well happen.
And I plan to start posting on Upward Mobility within a few weeks.
That's a well thought out concept Michael. The idea of federalisation is really good,except for the people in smoke filled homes, whom would somewhat be more important. Improtant people become megalomaniacs and tend to start wars.
Billy Hicks ( aka Alex Jones)has been talking against Maga Cities and federalism as far as 15 years ago (That's when I stopped listening to fear porn)
But if trade was not affected, Maga Cities would be a good idea .
I believe that we'll see a nationwide skisim no matter what ,so how to avoid it and encourage progress? Certainly better minds would have to be in charge than now.