40 votes

How California has been ‘Donald Trump-proofing’ itself against federal reprisal

35 comments

  1. [8]
    skybrian
    Link
    Republicans in Congress stopped trying to overturn Obamacare as soon as they had the power to actually do it. Many of its provisions are too popular. Looks like they may try to change some things,...

    Republicans in Congress stopped trying to overturn Obamacare as soon as they had the power to actually do it. Many of its provisions are too popular. Looks like they may try to change some things, though:

    How health care could change under the new Trump administration (NPR)

    While Trump has said he will not try again to repeal the Affordable Care Act, his administration will face an immediate decision next year on whether to back an extension of enhanced premium subsidies for Obamacare insurance plans. Without the enhanced subsidies, steep premium increases causing lower enrollment are projected. The current uninsured rate, about 8%, could rise.

    Policy specifics have not moved far beyond the “concepts of a plan” Trump said he had during his debate with Harris, though Vice President-elect JD Vance later said the administration would seek to inject more competition into ACA marketplaces.

    12 votes
    1. [7]
      stu2b50
      Link Parent
      It’ll definitely be interesting to see how Trump’s policy resolve. They once again have a super slim trifecta - projected to be just 3 seats in the house. We can see on a lot of issue Trump is...

      It’ll definitely be interesting to see how Trump’s policy resolve. They once again have a super slim trifecta - projected to be just 3 seats in the house.

      We can see on a lot of issue Trump is torn between two sides of the base. Abortion is a good one - he knew that it’s broadly unpopular to ban abortion, but it’s also unpopular among evangelists in his base not to. The ACA is another one.

      I can see nothing much at all being done in the first 2 years tbh.

      11 votes
      1. [6]
        Jordan117
        Link Parent
        One possible silver lining is that he isn't beholden to the base for votes any more.

        One possible silver lining is that he isn't beholden to the base for votes any more.

        7 votes
        1. [5]
          Promonk
          Link Parent
          Yup. One way or another, he'll never run for president again.

          Yup. One way or another, he'll never run for president again.

          3 votes
          1. [4]
            heraplem
            Link Parent
            Unless we're in the darkest timeline, of course.

            Unless we're in the darkest timeline, of course.

            8 votes
            1. [3]
              Promonk
              Link Parent
              Even on the darkest timeline, he won't be campaigning for 2028. Our boy's campaign days are over. That leaves a world of possibilities, mind. He just won't be running as a candidate for president...

              Even on the darkest timeline, he won't be campaigning for 2028. Our boy's campaign days are over.

              That leaves a world of possibilities, mind. He just won't be running as a candidate for president anymore.

              1. [2]
                heraplem
                Link Parent
                It's not likely (especially considering how old he'll be by then), but it's not in principle impossible. Backsliding democracies don't usually completely get rid of elections.

                It's not likely (especially considering how old he'll be by then), but it's not in principle impossible. Backsliding democracies don't usually completely get rid of elections.

                1. Promonk
                  Link Parent
                  It would be exactly as difficult for the GOP to make it so Trump can run for president again as it would for them to amend Article II to make the office an appointed one, which would obviate the...

                  It would be exactly as difficult for the GOP to make it so Trump can run for president again as it would for them to amend Article II to make the office an appointed one, which would obviate the strictures of the 22nd Amendment and eliminate elections for President altogether. Two guesses which one they'd prefer.

                  Edit: incidentally, that threshold currently stands at the control of 38 state legislatures. They'll be short by about ten come next session.

  2. [7]
    Gaywallet
    Link
    Tax us and take more of our money to replace the lack of federal funding? Wow I'm so happy with you Gavin, you'll really be improving things here. Surely by repeatedly annoying the federal...

    Tax us and take more of our money to replace the lack of federal funding? Wow I'm so happy with you Gavin, you'll really be improving things here. Surely by repeatedly annoying the federal government with court cases which will be appealed to the supreme court which is run by Republicans will make things better.

    How about you start taxing the rich in this state, start taxing all companies that do business in California, or otherwise apply the huge economic pressures we have in ways which the federal government can have no say? The whole reason why California consumer protection laws end up affecting the entire US and sometimes the world is that we have such a huge economy. Use that to our advantage.

    10 votes
    1. [6]
      skybrian
      Link Parent
      How much do you know about where California government revenue comes from? California is already taxing businesses and rich people. Sales and corporation taxes are 20% of state revenue, and...

      How much do you know about where California government revenue comes from? California is already taxing businesses and rich people. Sales and corporation taxes are 20% of state revenue, and California’s income tax is pretty progressive. California state revenue varies a lot depending on the stock market - that is, how well rich people are doing.

      20 votes
      1. [5]
        Gaywallet
        Link Parent
        I'm aware that we do and that we are, but I'd rather the plan look a lot more like utilizing our economic pressure than what I read in this article. Not that prepping briefs and other stuff...

        I'm aware that we do and that we are, but I'd rather the plan look a lot more like utilizing our economic pressure than what I read in this article. Not that prepping briefs and other stuff shouldn't happen- it absolutely should. Just that I'd like to hear how we're going to be on the offensive in ways which won't just end up costing the average person in California more money. I'm tired of giving so much to the federal government and having to deal with assholes like this.

        5 votes
        1. [3]
          snake_case
          Link Parent
          Consider that protecting your rights is expensive, and is money well spent.

          Consider that protecting your rights is expensive, and is money well spent.

          6 votes
          1. [2]
            Gaywallet
            Link Parent
            Oh absolutely. To be clear, I'm privileged enough and more than happy to pay to do it. But also, we have a duty to fight back and the means to do so. We should not be afraid to wield the power...

            Oh absolutely. To be clear, I'm privileged enough and more than happy to pay to do it. But also, we have a duty to fight back and the means to do so. We should not be afraid to wield the power that we have.

            4 votes
            1. snake_case
              Link Parent
              I wish my state even wanted to fight back.

              I wish my state even wanted to fight back.

              2 votes
        2. skybrian
          Link Parent
          It sort of sounds like you're complaining about Newsom wanting to raise your taxes, but the article doesn't mention taxes, and even if they did raise taxes, they could do it in a progressive way....

          Tax us and take more of our money to replace the lack of federal funding?

          It sort of sounds like you're complaining about Newsom wanting to raise your taxes, but the article doesn't mention taxes, and even if they did raise taxes, they could do it in a progressive way.

          And it's unclear to me who you want to attack, the Federal government or California businesses. Or maybe just some of them? It doesn't sound all that promising to me.

          4 votes
  3. [20]
    drannex
    Link
    I'll be honest there, I am a major proponent of America breaking up into three or four separate countries, we're just too big - so I am looking at this election and these changes they are pushing...

    I'll be honest there, I am a major proponent of America breaking up into three or four separate countries, we're just too big - so I am looking at this election and these changes they are pushing for as perhaps the beginning of the mythical Republic of Cascadia. One can dream, I suppose.

    19 votes
    1. [15]
      Foreigner
      Link Parent
      Unfortunately I doubt this will ever happen without monumental amounts of bloodshed.

      Unfortunately I doubt this will ever happen without monumental amounts of bloodshed.

      23 votes
      1. [2]
        Lapbunny
        Link Parent
        Not to mention there'd have to be some ridiculous shared military budget or plan, or the US loses its dominance. It's never gonna happen unless both China and Russia dissolve or something stupid.

        Not to mention there'd have to be some ridiculous shared military budget or plan, or the US loses its dominance. It's never gonna happen unless both China and Russia dissolve or something stupid.

        12 votes
        1. snake_case
          Link Parent
          Yeah we cant. We have to think about global politics. A divided united states is an easy target, thats why they’re trying so hard to divide us.

          Yeah we cant. We have to think about global politics. A divided united states is an easy target, thats why they’re trying so hard to divide us.

          9 votes
      2. [11]
        Eji1700
        Link Parent
        Also mass famine and death from exposure. That's before you get to the fact that basically all the lines are city vs rural, not state vs state. If california jumps ship they're going to have a...

        Also mass famine and death from exposure. That's before you get to the fact that basically all the lines are city vs rural, not state vs state. If california jumps ship they're going to have a very rough time with the millions of people who probably don't want to.

        11 votes
        1. [10]
          NoblePath
          Link Parent
          We’re just playing pretend, right? The entire west coast half of the ca, or, amd wa could secede into one country, let the inland half of the states do their thing. The NE plus chicagoland and...

          We’re just playing pretend, right?

          The entire west coast half of the ca, or, amd wa could secede into one country, let the inland half of the states do their thing. The NE plus chicagoland and milwaukee and mn could also secede. That’s lots of smarts and money. Food might be a problem tho, although they could cut a deal with ukraine.

          2 votes
          1. [2]
            DefinitelyNotAFae
            Link Parent
            Stop trying to take Chicago away from me, thank you. They want our corn. I want their tax base. (And politics)

            Stop trying to take Chicago away from me, thank you. They want our corn. I want their tax base. (And politics)

            5 votes
            1. NoblePath
              Link Parent
              I figure chicogaland includes north and central ill plus carbondale and maybe the nat forest down there. Indiana can keep gary, but maybe we take the mi west coast?

              I figure chicogaland includes north and central ill plus carbondale and maybe the nat forest down there. Indiana can keep gary, but maybe we take the mi west coast?

          2. [5]
            Eji1700
            Link Parent
            Soooo you ceding your rights to all the CO river water?

            Soooo you ceding your rights to all the CO river water?

            4 votes
            1. [4]
              NoblePath
              Link Parent
              Fair point. Will lrobably need to i clude cascades, tahoe, basicallly all the mtns, and a corridor to keep the river and colorado state can join the coalition too.

              Fair point. Will lrobably need to i clude cascades, tahoe, basicallly all the mtns, and a corridor to keep the river and colorado state can join the coalition too.

              1 vote
              1. [3]
                Eji1700
                Link Parent
                What about the cities/states/towns that rely on the CO water and are now not in the coalition?

                What about the cities/states/towns that rely on the CO water and are now not in the coalition?

                2 votes
                1. [2]
                  NoblePath
                  Link Parent
                  Immigration!

                  Immigration!

                  1 vote
                  1. Eji1700
                    Link Parent
                    ...but then aren't you just forceably relocating the people you wanted to break away from?

                    ...but then aren't you just forceably relocating the people you wanted to break away from?

                    2 votes
      3. Akir
        Link Parent
        To be honest, I think the US is going to see more bloodshed soon no matter what. People seem to be getting more and more bloodthirsty. School shootings are commonplace. We just elected a president...

        To be honest, I think the US is going to see more bloodshed soon no matter what. People seem to be getting more and more bloodthirsty. School shootings are commonplace. We just elected a president who had two assassination attempts and who generally doesn't have a problem with using military force. When he lost the last election, his supporters decided on insurrection.

        I just hope that it won't be on the scale you're thinking of. As much as I dislike the boogaloos, I'm starting to wonder if civil war really is inevitable in our lifetime.

        3 votes
    2. [4]
      iBleeedorange
      Link Parent
      How can you imagine that happening and it going smoothly without crippling the world economy and causing millions of deaths in the USA? This is like people saying Texas should secede, it's...

      How can you imagine that happening and it going smoothly without crippling the world economy and causing millions of deaths in the USA?

      This is like people saying Texas should secede, it's literally not possible.

      11 votes
      1. [3]
        Eji1700
        Link Parent
        It's not just world economy issues. Water, Power, and Food are all a distributed system based on interstate deals. Assuming the BEST case breakup, you're going to see a ton of price hikes as...

        It's not just world economy issues.

        Water, Power, and Food are all a distributed system based on interstate deals. Assuming the BEST case breakup, you're going to see a ton of price hikes as "foreign countries" are now required for you to import your food/water/power.

        In the much more likely, massively bloody, result, you're sitting in the dark hoping you can find clean water by the end of the year. It would be horrific.

        8 votes
        1. [2]
          Adys
          Link Parent
          The EU presents a completely realistic model where it’s possible to have plenty of continent wide grids, projects, customs and trade deals without starving people.

          The EU presents a completely realistic model where it’s possible to have plenty of continent wide grids, projects, customs and trade deals without starving people.

          6 votes
          1. Eji1700
            Link Parent
            The EU started as completely separate nations that built themselves up with that in mind. Brexit already kicked the UK in the teeth and was a much much much smaller level of integration and...

            The EU started as completely separate nations that built themselves up with that in mind. Brexit already kicked the UK in the teeth and was a much much much smaller level of integration and disintegration.

            5 votes