Politics

Creating 50 new city-states offers significant benefits for conservatives, particularly in reinforcing states' rights and promoting local control. By carving out major metropolitan areas into separate states, the remaining rural regions gain greater autonomy, free from the influence of large urban centers that often dominate state politics. This shift allows for policies that are more closely aligned with the values and needs of rural communities.

States' Rights and Local Control: The creation of city-states strengthens the principle of states' rights by decentralizing power and enabling more localized governance. Smaller, more focused states can implement policies that reflect the unique characteristics of their populations without the interference of large, urbanized areas. This approach is deeply rooted in the vision of the Framers, who emphasized the importance of federalism and the distribution of power among states to prevent overreach by the federal government. By allowing states to exercise greater control over local issues—such as education, law enforcement, and infrastructure—this plan aligns with the original intent of a system where states serve as laboratories of democracy, crafting policies that best suit their unique communities. Creating city-states further ensures that decisions affecting local schools, businesses, and public services are made closer to the people they impact, fostering a government that is more responsive and accountable to its citizens.

Independence for Rural Areas: By removing major cities from existing states, rural areas gain political independence, allowing them to pursue economic and social policies tailored to their specific needs. When you carve out an urban city-state, it leaves behind what can be thought of as a "rural land-state," where the priorities of rural communities take center stage. Rural regions often feel overlooked by state governments that prioritize urban issues. With the creation of city-states, the remaining rural land-states can focus more on policies that benefit agriculture, resource management, and local industries, such as farm subsidies, land conservation, and rural infrastructure projects. This reallocation of resources and attention can lead to increased state funding and a stronger focus on the economic development of rural areas.

Preserving Traditional Values: One of the key benefits of creating city-states for conservatives is the opportunity to preserve and promote traditional values without the influence of large, progressive urban centers. In many states, the values of rural and suburban communities are overshadowed by the more liberal policies of major cities. By carving out city-states, these areas can maintain policies that reflect their conservative values on issues like education, family, and community standards. This would allow for a stronger focus on upholding traditions, protecting religious freedoms, and promoting conservative social policies without interference from urban populations with different priorities.

Lower Taxes: The creation of city-states could lead to lower taxes, both in the new city-states and the remaining rural land-states. City-states could potentially become tax havens, attracting businesses and investment through lower tax rates and reduced regulations. For the remaining rural land-states, no longer having to support urban infrastructure and social programs could result in leaner budgets and lower taxes for residents. Similarly, city-states would no longer be burdened by the costs of subsidizing rural areas, allowing for more targeted and efficient use of tax revenues. This separation could foster a more competitive environment where states tailor their tax policies to the specific needs and priorities of their populations, creating a landscape that encourages economic growth and prosperity.

Political Benefits for the Republican Party: The creation of city-states offers a significant strategic advantage for the Republican Party by transforming traditionally blue states into red ones. For example, removing Chicagoland from Illinois could turn Illinois into a red state, and the same could happen with Portland and Oregon or others. By separating these liberal strongholds, Republicans could gain more influence in states that would otherwise be controlled by urban, progressive voters. This reconfiguration could fundamentally shift the balance of power toward conservative policies at both the state and federal levels. Moreover, the creation of city-states could pave the way for a political realignment where Republican values are better represented in the Senate and across the country. As more city-states are created, the political landscape could become more favorable for Republican governance, reducing the influence of large urban centers and strengthening the position of conservative principles within the American political system.

The creation of 50 new city-states offers a transformative opportunity for progressives to advance a more democratic and representative society. By establishing city-states that better reflect the diversity and population of urban areas, the political landscape can be reshaped to more accurately represent the will of the majority. This shift can lead to greater representation in the Senate and a more responsive government that aligns with progressive values.

Enhancing Democracy and Representation: The creation of city-states offers a powerful opportunity to enhance democracy and improve representation in the U.S. government. The current structure of the Senate disproportionately favors less populous, rural states, giving them greater influence than their population warrants. By adding city-states, this imbalance can be corrected, providing urban areas with the representation they deserve. Each new city-state would gain two senators, significantly increasing the influence of progressive, urban populations in Congress and ensuring the Senate better reflects the nation's demographic realities. Additionally, city-states could fundamentally change the dynamics of the Electoral College, making it more aligned with the popular vote. The flaws of the Electoral College, highlighted in elections like 2000 and 2016, where the candidate who won the popular vote lost the presidency, would be corrected, ensuring that future elections reflect the will of the majority. This would strengthen the core principles of democracy and create a more just and representative political system.

Economic Growth and Innovation: City-states, often economic powerhouses, would have the freedom to implement progressive economic policies that could spur innovation and growth. These new states could lead the way in adopting policies that address climate change, promote renewable energy, and foster sustainable development. City-states could invest in public transportation, green infrastructure, and high-tech industries, driving economic growth while addressing environmental concerns. Additionally, city-states could collaborate through state compacts, with congressional approval, to coordinate economic initiatives, share resources, and develop regional infrastructure projects. These compacts could also extend to efforts like establishing a national popular vote or coordinating responses to economic challenges, creating a more unified and effective approach to governance.

Advancing Social Justice: City-states would be positioned to enact policies that promote fairness and equality, addressing issues like economic disparity and access to healthcare. These states could focus on creating affordable housing, reforming the criminal justice system, and expanding access to education and healthcare services. Freed from the political constraints of more conservative rural areas, city-states could implement policies that reflect the progressive values of their urban populations. This could include initiatives to ensure fair wages, protect civil liberties, and support community-based policing efforts, setting a standard for other states to follow.

Empowering Urban Populations: Urban areas often face unique challenges that are not adequately addressed by state governments that prioritize rural interests. By creating city-states, urban populations would gain more control over their governance, allowing them to implement policies that directly address their specific circumstances. For instance, many cities have sought to become sanctuary cities or provide municipal internet services to their residents, only to be overridden by state legislatures. With city-states, these urban areas could fully realize their policy goals without interference, leading to more effective and responsive governance that truly reflects the needs and desires of their residents.

Political Benefits for the Democratic Party: The creation of city-states offers significant political advantages for the Democratic Party by amplifying the power of urban areas in both the Senate and the Electoral College. Historically, the Senate has been a barrier to progressive change, with rural states often blocking legislation favored by the majority of Americans. By adding new city-states, Democrats could gain more Senate seats, shifting the balance of power and making it easier to pass progressive policies. Additionally, a more representative Electoral College would ensure that the popular vote determines the presidency, avoiding scenarios like the 2000 and 2016 elections. Without the distortions caused by the current system, the political landscape would likely be more favorable to Democratic candidates, enabling the advancement of a progressive agenda at the national level.