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Trump's political spectacle often appears to transform even opposition as part of the circus. We become like supporting actors responding as he energizes his followers through breaking established norms. However why not we produced a separate public demonstration omitting Trump out – or alternatively having a different priority?

Past Precedents of Political Resistance

Revolutionaries during the pre-Revolution era created innovative types of resistance in response to British policies. Rather than using conventional governmental bodies, they selected non-importation committees including a pioneering delegates' meeting with no apparent legitimacy or historical model.

These measures of symbolic defiance, despite limitations, ultimately led to formal independence. Following the revolution, framers held a convention – officially to modify the Articles of Confederation with consensus by every state. Instead, delegates deliberated behind closed doors, overhauled the system entirely, and modified the method for amending the replacement framework to a supermajority requirement.

A Current Chance for Reform

The Trump presidency marks a significant setback to democratic norms, however it offers an opportunity to improve those norms positively. Following the example of the framers, we should create a restricted, invitation-only body – an initial constitutional convention – which opposing Democratic states specifically set up independently, limit to themselves, and manage.

The national framework includes relevant clauses for such action.

Creating an Interstate Compact

These participating governments could convene to develop an interstate compact among participating members, embracing the idea if not the precise language of similar arrangements which the constitution’s article I, section 10, clause 3 describes. These states could propose to the federal legislature for ratification as national legislation. Naturally ratification appears improbable under present circumstances, since the legislature as currently dysfunctional is incapable regarding significant systemic change, embryonic or not.

However the goal would be to put forward a model for a new type of political organization, for a post-Trump country, that maintains part of the current institutional framework that is worth preserving, together with radical change countering recent political developments.

A Specific Scenario

As an illustration: New York, California, Massachusetts and Illinois would proclaim a constitutional crisis. Regional leaders would invite a limited group aligned anti-Trump regions to select representatives selected through popular vote or the legislature. Their responsibility would include to create an inter-state compact, a declaration of entitlements of citizens and obligations of the participating governments.

The compact would divide resources for these responsibilities among participating regions and national authorities, in the event of somehow adopted at the federal level. It would establish requirements that Washington would fund – exclusively for those states and any other that thereafter choose to participate the compact.

An Inspirational Opening

That compact would open with a preamble where We the People of member governments recognize not only our rights and our duties to treat each other fairly. The introduction would recognize our obligations to guarantee all have sufficient nutrition, social protection, health services, productive jobs as safeguards during an era of AI advancement. It should be explicit about the dangers of AI and climate change. It should insist on Washington's duty in medical research and scientifically based healthcare policy to ensure our quality improves and longer lives.

Responding to Past Violations

Furthermore the agreement must contain a detailed enumeration of wrongs by the Trump administration, harmful policies, which must be addressed and remedied, and abuses from the judicial branch, for example the political spending ruling, which must be voided by states implementing the compact.

Initially, member regions should also include DC and the territory to join as states on the same footing and participate to the compact.

The Hardest Component – Funding

Then comes the hardest part – finances. This agreement would specify particular initiatives that the state should fund and initiatives that the federal government must finance – at least for participating regions that enter the partnership. The compact would not only be a governing framework long-term, but a budget document for short-term action. It needs to incorporate a restoration of funding for medical assistance, and decreasing of costs for alternative models health services.

An Inclusive Offer

Finally, the partnership should include a call to conservative states, and every other non-participating region to enter also, even if they hadn't been originally invited.

Symbolic Significance

Regardless of what may be said against such a compact, it might shift Trump off stage and display a certain norm-breaking nerve from progressive forces. It would give Democratic governments recognition for autonomous symbolic breaking of traditions. More effective if conservative governments choose not to join. {In