created by Runescora on 31/01/2025 at 03:34 UTC
137 upvotes, 5 top-level comments (showing 5)
Brief introduction to coalitions. A coalition is a loose alliance of parties with a charged interest or goal. They tend to be of short duration (disbanding when the goal is reached) but can evolve to pursue new goals. They have existed, and been effective, throughout history. Today they are most commonly associated with parliamentary type governments, but they have been seen in the US between parties and intra-party. Of particular note are the New Deal Coalition ( which helped get the legislation for the new deal passed) and the Conservative coalition that formed to push back against President Kennedy’s legislative agenda. During the pandemic the western states (including Nevada and Colorado) formed a coalition to advocate for their specific needs.
I don’t care if you’re conservative or liberal, red or blue, many of the executive orders being issued pose a direct threat to the well-being of Washington state residents. It’s difficult to keep up with it all, but the executive orders I have seen impose on water rights (a complex issue absolutely *vital* to eastern Washington), the ability of our residents to access healthcare, childcare for working families, and grants that support our emergency infrastructure and first responders. It doesn’t matter who you voted for when everyone is going to be effected. And I’ll be honest I am terrified of what might happen during a bad fire season.
We share these, and many more, issues with our fellow western states. It makes sense to form a coalition to advocate for the unique needs of the western states. With California being the fifth largest economy *in the world* combining with them and others gives our state a greater chance of leveraging its political and economic influence to make sure the needs of our residents are met.
So, take a look at this petition, give some thought to signing it. Understand that petitions are only *the first step* in getting our political representatives to take note of anything before taking action. They are a way to gather support, get a message raised up above all the noise, gain media attention, and are the politest form of soft pressure to apply to those in power. It’s a first step in what is going to have to be a long game.
It’s a start. It’s a way to get people paying attention to possible actions that can be taken. If nothing else, it’s a way for people to connect over shared concerns.
Thank you for your time.
(And please forgive the autocorrect word issues. I’m on my phone and it’s not letting me fix them.)
Comment by Runescora at 31/01/2025 at 03:46 UTC
21 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Just wanted to add, this isn’t about succession, which the constitution provides no Avenue for and which is difficult to imagine which the resources available to the federal government. And this isn’t an interstate compact, which *must* be approved by the federal congress after being approved by the state legislature.
This is a voluntary association that can be initiated or entered into by the Governor alone. It is not legally binding, but has the draw of shared interest and mutual benefit. It does not directly effect the internal governing of any of its members, which remain wholly independent parties.
It is the wielding of the political and economic influence, not to mention*cultural* influence (at home and abroad) the western states already have. And it is wholly supported by extant laws, precedent, and the current SCOTUS (for whatever that’s worth).
Comment by tmdblya at 31/01/2025 at 03:49 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Doesn’t this already exist?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_States_Pact?wprov=sfti1#
Comment by GodofPizza at 31/01/2025 at 05:56 UTC
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Uh...you completely left out Oregon?
Comment by lombwolf at 31/01/2025 at 07:58 UTC
16 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Ai image… really? Did you really need to contribute to climate change for that… /s
Comment by kayaktheclackamas at 31/01/2025 at 11:55 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Wee, let me publicly put my name on a list....
/s