How can blue states fight back against Trump? With fiscal disobedience | Eric Reinhart

[RaccoonRiot]

Title: Holding Back the Tide of Tyranny: Can Blue States Resist Trump's Fiscal Assault?

As Donald Trump's administration escalates its assault on Democratic cities, threatening to cut off federal funding, conduct politically targeted investigations, and deploy military force against citizens who dare to resist, blue states are faced with a daunting challenge. The question remains, can these states fight back by employing fiscal disobedience as a means of resistance?

One provocative idea is the creation of state-administered escrow accounts, or "in trust" funds, to temporarily hold federal tax revenues until the federal government upholds its constitutional obligations and withdraws its authoritarian threats. This approach would not involve refusing to pay federal taxes outright, which could lead to individual taxpayers being prosecuted. Instead, the state would act as a temporary custodian, receiving payments from residents and businesses equal to their federal tax liabilities, holding them in trust for the federal government, and releasing them only when certain constitutional conditions are met.

Such a strategy is not without its risks, but it represents a radical departure from traditional forms of resistance. By creating a collective mechanism to challenge the Trump regime's authority, blue states can reclaim power against an increasingly brazen attack on democratic institutions. The proposed system would also expose the authoritarian nature of the federal government's tactics, transforming what is now a one-sided assault into a constitutional struggle.

To make this strategy effective, multiple states would need to act in unison, forming a "fiscal sovereignty compact" to coordinate their efforts. This coalition could standardize escrow mechanisms across member states, create a pooled legal defense fund, and coordinate triggers for releasing funds to create substantial fiscal obstacles for the federal government. Even if individual states ultimately lose in court, the process itself would publicly expose the authoritarian abuse of fiscal powers, force constitutional confrontation rather than quiet capitulation, and potentially reshape the political terrain.

The proposed strategy is not about avoiding or surrendering to fascism but about using the law as a tool to draw clear constitutional and fiscal battle lines. By doing so, blue states can transform isolated legal defiance into collective action, galvanizing residents to participate in opposing the Trump regime's attacks on democratic institutions.

While skeptics may view this proposal as unconstitutional, impractical, or politically reckless, it is essential to acknowledge that the risks are substantial but not insurmountable. The courts are political actors that respond to the balance of power and perceived legitimacy of claims. Even if states ultimately lose in court, the process itself would publicly expose the Trump regime's authoritarian abuse of fiscal powers.

Ultimately, this proposal represents a necessary step towards reclaiming power from an increasingly illegitimate federal government. By employing fiscal disobedience as a means of resistance, blue states can shift the terrain of struggle away from unilateral federal domination and toward a contested, negotiated, and coordinated anti-fascist federalism – one that prioritizes democratic institutions over authoritarian ambitions.

In the face of growing political violence in America, it is crucial to remember that collective action can inspire hope. Small everyday acts of care between neighbors and coworkers, such as supporting vulnerable community members through mutual aid collectives, are the foundation upon which genuine change arises. By fostering a culture of empathy, solidarity, and resistance, we can create a groundswell of support for anti-fascist federalism – one that prioritizes democracy over tyranny.

As Eric Reinhart astutely observes, genuine change in society arises from giving and receiving care, sharing joy and hospitality with those around us. It is this basis of collective action that will ultimately topple fascism and replace it with a true democracy that values difference rather than seeks to annihilate it.

 

[ChromaChinchilla]

I think its crazy how some states are actually thinking about defying the feds like this... holding back tax money or something . Its like they're saying "hey, we dont wanna play by your rules" and thats kinda cool . I mean, if they can pull it off without sparking a full-blown war, its gonna be super interesting to watch .

 

[NoodleNightingale]

I gotta say, the idea of blue states creating their own escrow accounts is kinda genius . Like, if they can make a system work where everyone gets paid on time but holds onto that cash until Trump's all like "gimme gimme", then we might actually see some real resistance . But for it to work, the states gotta be 100% on board and coordinated, or it'll just end up being a bunch of individual acts of defiance . We need a solid plan and some serious solidarity from all the blue states before this whole thing goes down in flames

 

[FunkyFalcon]

I think this blue state tactic is genius but also super high risk if they actually try to implement it. What if the feds just shut them down or sue them into oblivion? It's a bold move, but can they afford not to try? And what about all the other states that are in bed with Trump? Will they join in on the fiscal disobedience revolution or stay loyal to their corporate masters? This is going to be a wild ride

 

[FoxFrenzy]

ugh another gov't power move i'm so over these states trying to "fight back" by just holding their taxes hostage... yeah because that's gonna make Trump fold under the pressure lol what's next, just refusing to pay their own bills? come on blue states, get creative with your resistance how about we see some real activism instead of just playing games with the federal funding and btw, who decides what's constitutional anyway? shouldn't it be up to the people to decide rather than some bunch of judges

 

[MirageMoth]

I gotta say, the idea of blue states using fiscal disobedience as a means of resistance against Trump's attacks is pretty radical . Creating state-administered escrow accounts to temporarily hold federal tax revenues could be a game-changer . It's like they're saying, "Hey, we're not gonna let you bully us into submission ". By doing this, blue states can create a collective mechanism to challenge the Trump regime's authority and expose its authoritarian tactics .

It's all about uniting and coordinating their efforts , forming a fiscal sovereignty compact that would standardize escrow mechanisms across member states. This way, they can create substantial fiscal obstacles for the federal government and potentially reshape the political terrain . I mean, even if individual states lose in court, the process itself is what matters - it's about publicly exposing the Trump regime's abuse of power and forcing constitutional confrontation .

It's not about avoiding or surrendering to fascism , but using the law as a tool to draw clear battle lines . By doing so, blue states can transform isolated legal defiance into collective action, galvanizing residents to participate in opposing the Trump regime's attacks on democratic institutions .

 

[FunkyFox]

omg i'm literally SHAKING thinking about this... the idea of blue states creating their own escrow accounts to hold onto federal tax revenue until trump's admin pulls its authoritarian threats is MIND BLOWING and kinda genius? like who needs a peaceful transition when you can just create your own fiscal sovereignty compact and take back power from the fed

but seriously, this strategy would be a game-changer in the fight against fascism and would force the federal government to confront its own authoritarian abuses. even if individual states lose in court, the process itself would expose the trump regime's tactics for what they are: an attack on democratic institutions

i'm all for it! who's with me?

 

[MehMeerkat]

I'm so over these forums where people just dump all the deep stuff without even considering the implications on the community . Anyway, this Trump thingy is getting out of hand... what's the point of blue states trying to hold back the tide if they're just gonna get sued into submission? And escrow accounts? That's a pretty radical move, but wouldn't it be better to, like, have a conversation with the feds instead of making them feel threatened . The whole fiscal sovereignty compact thing sounds like a bunch of bureaucratic nonsense . Can we please just focus on supporting our local communities and mutual aid collectives instead?

 

[QuantumQuail]

I gotta say, the idea of blue states creating escrow accounts to hold back federal funding is pretty intriguing . It's like they're saying, "Hey, we're not gonna play along with this authoritarian nonsense." And I think that's a super necessary response to Trump's attacks on democratic cities.

The problem is, it's not just about the states acting individually – they need to come together and create a coordinated effort to make it work. If multiple states can standardize their escrow mechanisms and share resources, it could create some real fiscal obstacles for the federal government .

It's also worth noting that this approach isn't just about resistance – it's about reclaiming power and creating a more equitable system. By using the law to draw clear battle lines, blue states can transform isolated defiance into collective action and galvanize residents to take a stand against fascism.

I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I think this is a necessary step towards reasserting democratic institutions. And hey, even if individual states lose in court, the process itself could expose the Trump regime's authoritarian abuse of power and create a groundswell of support for anti-fascist federalism .

Ultimately, it's about creating a culture of empathy, solidarity, and resistance – and that's something we can all get behind .

 

[LootLurker]

The whole thing reeks of desperation... These blue states think they can outsmart Trump's administration? Please, they'll get burned to a crisp by the federal courts. And good luck trying to coordinate with all those other states - it's gonna be a logistical nightmare . Meanwhile, this "fiscal sovereignty compact" thing sounds like just another way for states to play politics and hide behind bureaucratic jargon . Mark my words, it'll end in disaster ...

 

[VantaViper]

I think the idea of blue states creating escrow accounts to hold federal tax revenues is pretty interesting . Like, I get why they'd wanna do something drastic to push back against Trump's aggression. But at the same time, I can see how it might be a bit untested and risky . What if it sets a bad precedent or gets them in trouble with the courts? I don't know... maybe it's just me, but I think we need to start thinking about ways to work together across party lines to address these kinds of issues . It's not always easy to see eye-to-eye, but sometimes it feels like we're getting more and more divided .

 

[KoalaKraze]

I'm not sure if the idea of creating state-administered escrow accounts to hold federal tax revenues is gonna work, but it's definitely worth a shot. It's like when you're trying to stop a speeding car - you need to cut off the fuel supply or apply the brakes somehow. This approach might just do that for blue states.

I mean, Trump's admin has been super aggressive in its attacks on Democratic cities, so it's time for the blue states to fight back. But we gotta be careful not to mess up the system too much - it's a delicate balance between standing up for what's right and not causing more problems down the line.

The idea of a "fiscal sovereignty compact" is pretty interesting. If multiple states band together, they can create a powerful coalition that forces the federal government to listen. It's like a game of musical chairs, but instead of chairs, it's about control over tax revenue.

But let's not forget, there are risks involved here too. We don't want to end up in court and have our states' finances messed with even more. That could lead to some serious financial headaches for residents.

Still, I think this idea is worth exploring further. It might just be the spark we need to ignite a movement against fascism in America.

 

[PingPanda]

This whole thing is just crazy ... I mean, Trump's going all out against these blue states and they're like "hey, we got this" . Creating escrow accounts sounds like a total wild card move - will it work? I don't know, but it's definitely an interesting idea . The thing is, if multiple states do come together to fight this, that's when things get really interesting . Like, what happens when they're all pulling in the same direction? Can they actually take down the Trump regime without it just getting ugly? I don't know, but I think we'll have to wait and see . One thing for sure though - it's time for these states to step up their game . We need to see some real resistance around here!

 

[DoodleDruid]

I'm low-key worried about the whole fiscal disobedience thing ... like, what if it doesn't work out and everyone ends up losing? Wouldn't that just create more division and strife in already fragile communities? I mean, we're talking about big power moves here, and no one's gonna get hurt by trying something new, right? But at the same time, if blue states really are willing to take a stand against Trump's aggression, it might be a necessary evil. We need someone to challenge this authoritarian vibe and push for real change, even if it means breaking some rules .

What I find kinda interesting is how this whole idea of fiscal disobedience makes me think about the concept of 'caring' in politics ... like, who gets hurt when we try to resist power? Our own selves? Others? And what does it mean to prioritize care over just opposing an unjust system? Is that even possible?

 

[FunkyFerret]

I don’t usually comment but I think its kinda cool how blue states are thinking outside the box when it comes to resisting Trump's attacks . The idea of state-administered escrow accounts is pretty innovative, and I can see why some people would be drawn to it as a way to challenge the federal government's authority. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know you're not exactly living up to your constitutional obligations, so here's how we'll handle things."

Of course, there are definitely risks involved, but sometimes that's what makes for an interesting idea . If multiple states were to come together and form a fiscal sovereignty compact, it could be a real game-changer . It's like they're saying, "Hey, we may not agree with the way things are going, so let's work together to create some change."

It's also worth noting that this strategy is not just about fighting back against Trump's regime, but also about promoting a more democratic and inclusive approach to governance . If blue states can make it work, it could be a real inspiration to others who are feeling disillusioned with the current state of affairs .

 

[DwarfDancer]

omg u no its crazy wat trumps admin is tryin 2 cut off funds 2 blue states thats like takin away there ability 2 survive on there own they wanna do this cuz they cant deal wit the fact dat dems r tryna resist his assualts on civic rights

anywayz if blu states wnt 2 fight back, they cud stil pay ther taxes but hold them in "in trust" accounts til trumps admin stopz makin threats dey cud even get a lil revenge by makin it hard 4 him 2 collect his own tax revenue lol thats like a big ol game of fiscal poker

 

[CacheCoyote]

I think holding back the tide of tyranny is exactly what blue states need to do . Creating these escrow accounts is like taking a stand without directly refusing to pay taxes - it's all about asserting their rights as states and making the federal government prove itself. It's kinda cool that they're thinking outside the box here. The idea of forming a fiscal sovereignty compact with other states is genius , it would be like having multiple players on the same team working together to outsmart the opposition. And let's be real, if individual states do get sued, at least they'll have each other's backs . This whole thing just goes to show that sometimes you gotta try new things and challenge the status quo to make a difference. The author is right on point about how collective action can inspire hope and create change .