Introduction
The Democratic Party faces a critical juncture. The elected representatives are failing to uphold their oaths to "protect and defend the Constitution from enemies, foreign and domestic." Their response to the current threats to democracy and the dismantling of government institutions has been underwhelming. If this situation is not addressed soon, America risks suffering the same fate as the Weimar Republic in Germany under Adolf Hitler.
Current Situation
Although Democrats do not currently control the White House, Supreme Court, House, or Senate, this does not mean we are powerless. Recent events provide clues to effective action.
Governors' Actions:
- Janet Mills, Governor of Maine: She publicly refused to comply with Trump's new discriminatory transgender athlete rules, leading Trump to declare that Maine would receive no federal funding.
- Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania: He successfully sued the administration over $2 billion in funding for his state, making it clear that he would withhold all payments to the IRS from Pennsylvania if the money were not provided.
Effective action
A governor has the power to redirect federal taxes collected in his/her state. Unless or until collective demands by the governors of the following states are met, all federal taxes collected by businesses and organizations will be redirected to each state treasury. These states collectively hold the power of the purse: Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Why this will work: This tactic worked in Pennsylvania because, for Trump, everything is transactional. The above-named states each pay out more in federal taxes than they get back, meaning, this will sharpen the pain felt by Republican states, all of which receive more from federal taxes than they pay in. This will erode their support for Trump. He will not let that happen.
Additional states: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kentucky, and North Carolina may wish to join this effort because they each have Democrats in their State Houses. The more extensive the protest, the better chance it will succeed.
Details: Participating governors must be fully committed. They must have a spokes-governor, so they speak with one voice. Simultaneously, each participating state must call out the national guard for a State of Emergency just prior to contacting President Trump. This will ensure that the military in each state is under the control of the governor and cannot be called out against them.
No money withheld from the federal government will be replaced but, instead, it will be used by each state for its needs. All the states will then be able to fund programs typically covered by federal government commitments. Hawaii and California can start recovering from their devastating fires. When demands are met, federal tax money will again flow to the IRS. If demands are not met, federal tax money from these states will end entirely. The longer it takes, the more money will be withheld.
Your part
The only way we keep our democracy and institutions is through unity. This boycott by our governors must be supported. Call your governor today, tomorrow and every day, urging them to take action in defense of our democracy.
10 things that need to be done (my list of demands)
In actual dollars the U.S. government spends more than any other country in the world. On a per capita basis, we are 5th and yet our citizens receive far fewer benefits of that spending than our neighbor Canada (17th in per capita spending). Even I believe we spend too much money and, politically, I am somewhere to the left of Bernie Sanders. If you want a more responsible, efficient government, let me help.
- Stop withholding federal spending that has been approved and budgeted for.
- Stop Musk from cutting federal jobs indiscriminately.
- Enlist the help of Democrat and Republican lawmakers to reorganize departments to find actual savings.
- No tax cuts for the wealthy and no tax increases for the bottom 20%.
- Eliminate all subsidies for wealthy individuals and corporations. These corporate subsides alone account for more than $80 Billion in savings. There are plenty more.
- Ensure the Defense Department accounts for its spending (It has failed the last 7 audits). Any unaccounted spending from its 2025 audit, will be cut from their budget, a potential savings of $200 Billion annually.
- Break up the monopoly of Defense Contractors to prevent price gouging, which adds more than 25% to every contract.
- Rehire all IRS staff tasked with tracking down rich tax cheats and making them pay, which could account for more than $150 Billion annually.
- No cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits. Remove the salary cap on SSI and Medicare deductions to make them solvent for the next 75 years.
- Trump and Vance must sign letters of resignation that will take effect if, for any reason, free and fair elections do not take place in 2026 and 2028.
Conclusion
The Democratic Party stands at a pivotal moment in history. Our elected representatives must rise to the occasion and fulfill their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution. The actions of governors like Janet Mills and Josh Shapiro demonstrate that we are not powerless. By redirecting federal taxes and taking a unified stand, we can exert significant pressure and bring about meaningful change.
Unity is our strength. By supporting our governors and demanding action, we can preserve our democracy and ensure that our institutions remain intact. The proposed measures, from stopping indiscriminate federal job cuts to ensuring accountability in defense spending, are essential steps towards a more responsible and efficient government.
Together, we can make a difference. Call your governor today and every day, urging them to act in defense of our democracy. Our collective efforts will pave the way for a brighter future for all Americans.
