The Time is Now

The United States appears to be irrevocably divided. On the one side is the progressive left who are in the process of transforming the nation into an autocratic democracy. A nation not unlike most of Europe where the citizenry is ruled more by an administrative state than as free citizens. On the other side are those who wish to remain and maintain the traditional constitutional republic as founded. 

As it stands now the two opposing ideologies exist with seemingly little chance of reconciliation. For the past half century or more the two opposing forces have attempted to gain their way through imposition of their political will upon the other side. Neither side will likely cede their ideological views or be subjugated by the other. 

It is time for coordination among political leaders, primarily governors in the "red" states. The opportunity for bold action is ripe but may be limited. Due to confluence of several favorable circumstances there is a rare if limited opportunity to force the issue without it deteriorating to force. 

 Foremost among them is the current composition of the Supreme Court. Since SCOTUS is currently occupied by a majority of constitutional originalist, it is possible to institute programs and priorities which are within the Constitution without worrying that they will be shot down. This may not last long.

The second reason is that the current political make up of the states favor it. There are no longer red governors in blue states which means they can focus on implementing policies without concern for blue state sensibilities. The goal is to isolate blue states not placate them anyway. Let the blue state's fall from the unbearable weight of their failed ideals. The goal should be to protect ourselves from them and protect against them pulling us down with them. 

It is also the perfect time for red governors to coordinate their efforts because of the political dynamics now in play. Most of the current governors are not looking at reelection. Many are two term governors and most are precluded from running again. This fact also means that they have mandates from their constituents and can make bold moves. Most of these current and soon to be governors won their last election by hefty margins. Because of the divide in the nation, the red states have become redder just as the blue states have become bluer, people want boldness. With hardly an exception the current group of Republican governors, as a whole, are as conservative as we have had in generations.

The Republican Governors need to join together to create a constitutional division from the blue states using the tenth amendment as their shield.

• The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

•  The Supreme Court is already in the process of reigning in the Federal administrative state, the red states should push this effort along by enacting common sense laws regardless of any Federal restrictions as long as these new laws or policies are not in conflict with actual Federal laws. Much of what we consider to be laws are not. They are bureaucratic  enacted "policies," "guidelines," "recommendations," or other such "mandates" put in place by "departments" as the result of congress ceding their actual authority to executive branch agencies.  

• Pass laws that may be in conflict with Federal norms and if challenged collectively fight them in court. Unshackle local and state governments from burdensome "regulations"  imposed  by a bloated Federal administrative state whose primary purpose is empower themselves not to serve the people.

• The governors should coordinate their efforts to take  functions and power away from the Federal government.  Establish or strengthen their own state police forces and resist the inroads of Federal policing agencies. If blue states can refuse to work with ICE then red states can refuse to work with the FBI and ATF on issues that put unconstitutional restriction on the Second Amendment as an example. If they become overzealous take them to court or flat out kick them out if they overstep their constitutional authority. 

• Strengthen state health, education and other social services in order to replace Federal programs. Combine and coordinate to fight back against the Feds use of funding to blackmail states to accept policies which states may not want to enact. 

• States rights despite the negative vitriol of the progressive left is a foundational principle of our constitutional republic 

• Create regional alliances to deal with large issues where several states in concert can replace or reduce the need for Federal programs.

• Outlaw sanctuary cities within the states where they exist and any other harmful progressive policies that undermine their states and the nation. 

•  Corporations who have ceded their independence to woke cronyism will quickly learn that they will either move back to free market principles or be in competition with new industries which will flourish in the area of the nation that embraces it.

• The time is short, the window is open, Republican governors and legislatures need to proactively work together to reestablish Federalism in their combined states and let the blue states fail on their own, as they surely will. If they do not the window will close, it already is, and future generations of Americans will live in a much darker and less free America.