but it can be used against them if Democrats have any sense. Let me propose a long range plan.
A little background:
Some years ago republican deep thinkers stumbled across a powerful insight. After years of contesting for federal offices and neglecting most states, they shifted strategy. Realizing that state govermnents control districting and voting, they proceeded to build feudal fifes out of several southern and western states. From these bases, they charged back into Washington in strength, and we have the present situation.
With this authority in states such as Kansas, they predictably reduced taxes on the 1% and used the manufactured budged crises to reduce spending for health and education, etc -- the "Brownback experiment", as it is called. Some results have been immediate; the bond rating agencies have downgraded this state twice so far. It is entirely likely that this state and others will wind up circling the drain before too long, solely because of their laws and policies.
Other states operate (most of the time) on the premise that government should take action carefully and with restraint, but that it exists to serve 100% of the citizenry. I am fortunate enough to live in one. In many of these states we can see advances in marriage equality, increases in the minimum wage, a better attitude about women and minorities, and economies on the mend. The comparisons on this level between red and blue states could not be more obvious. We need to take advantage of this.
I have made the following suggestion before, but perhaps after the results of last tuesday, it needs to be reiterated:
What if Blue states got together and started running ads in red states, such as. . .
"Do you want to live in a state where the government serves you rather than seeks to own you?"
"Do you want to live in a state where the government believes that (blank) have the same rights as straight, white men?" (You may insert "Women," "Hispanics," "People of color," "Gays," etc., as appropriate. They hate 'em all.)
"Do you want to live in a state where you are encouraged to vote and where every vote counts?"
"Do you want to live in a state which believes that you have the right to earn a decent living from your labor?
"Do you want to live in a state where freedom means that YOU are free?"
"Then come to (name of suitable blue state). We want you."
The main payoff for this strategy would come after the 2020 census. However, the publicity for us and discomfort for them would be almost immediate. Consider something like this: "The republicans in (some red state) have so abusively mismanaged their state's affairs that good citizens are evacuating." Yummy.
I this all seems abusively improbable, think on the following. It is standard policy for corporations to relocate to states with lower taxes and a better business environment for them. Is there some reason why ordinary citizens couldn't make the same choice for more freedom and a better life? I think not. It has happened in the past.
My grandfather immigrated to this country in 1905 from Germany. In his perspective, his native land offered him less opportunities than this one, and U.S. policy was to welcome him and give him the chance to work his way up. It was to Germany's detriment and America's gain. He eventually became a V.P. of Sears and put together the financial package to create Allstate insurance, among other accomplishments.
At this time the differences in political governance between red and blue states offer the same contrast and the same choices that my Grandfather faced. Democrats should be working the advantage which they have to depopulate red states and augment blue ones. The result would be decreased representation in the House for them and increased for us.
This strategy would not apply to purple states such as Texas, Colorado, and others. They can still be fought over. The target populaton would be individuals in hopelessly red states who are in their twenties and thirties who don't own much yet. They can more easily uproot and relocate in search of a better life than their parents' generation could. We would be getting all the young, energetic, bright-eyed ones. Further, these people would also wind up being the bulk of the tax base in those states since the 1% have had their load lightened so dramatically. Loosing this population would cripple red states for a generation economically and politically.
My Grandfather was very appreciative of the chance which this country offered him to earn a worthy place for himself. It was no more than that, but he was appreciative. He bore a thick German accent and unquestioned loyalty to the U.S. through WW1 and WWII. If we offer the same chance to individuals laboring under a yoke in red states, they may well vote with their feet.
Once again, I want to thank republicans for reversing a long standing policy of concealing their agena until it was too late and now wearing it on their sleeves. They have manufactured the very contrast between two very different styles of governance which we can now use to unseat them.
I have included the same poll as before. Those repug sappers who masquerade as Kossacks will get another shot at stern denunciation. Perhaps, for the rest of you real folks, the idea presented looks a bit more attractive after last tuesday.