Not Keeping Calm, But Carrying On
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soverynotcalm.bsky.social
Not Keeping Calm, But Carrying On
@soverynotcalm.bsky.social
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Unapologetically left, looking for sanity
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Reposted by Not Keeping Calm, But Carrying On
donmoyn.bsky.social
I'm sympathetic to the idea that progressives need to rethink procedural barriers to getting things done, and that this a crucial moment for American government. But we are witnessing a shift to authoritarianism right now. American needs not just a theory of power but also theory of accountability.
The Trump moment should prompt progressives, for the first time since the 1970s, to develop a new holistic theory of how power should be exercised in America. How can progressives develop deliberative systems that envision a middle ground where everyone gets a voice but no one wields a veto? The basic ingredients are plain. Before government makes any major decision, those affected should have an opportunity to weigh in. Those proposing a change should have to do a reasonable if not exhaustive study of the environmental and other effects. Those who object should have a means to appeal. But in the end, someone should be empowered to articulate the public interest. Some single entity — some elected official, some appointed bureaucrat, some answerable commission — needs to have the discretion to point the way forward without endless recourse. Someone needs to say when a transmission line can be built despite the fact that it will spoil a scenic view or that a housing project can go up despite its being a drain on the sewer system.
December 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM