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Darwin Reed's avatar

Great article. I loved the writing approach from the future to our current self. Oh how I hope our actions today can change this future outcome.

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Lukium's avatar

Thank you so much for the feedback. This was definitely a different approach from anything I’ve done in the past.

I really hope that our side can take some time for introspection to reconsider our strategies/tactics. What we’ve been doing isn’t working, and whether or not America as we know it continues to exist hangs on whether we realize it before it’s too late.

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Darwin Reed's avatar

Here are some websites you may find helpful -

Problem Solver Caucus -

Study this bipartisan fiscal stability framework.

https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/media/press-releases/problem-solvers-caucus-endorses-bipartisan-fiscal-stability-framework

No Labels -

https://portal.nolabels.org/new_signup?recruiter_id=3545.

Independent Vo!ce -

https://www.independent-voice.com/

My Own Journey to Become Involved -

https://darwinreed.com

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Lukium's avatar

Thanks for sharing these, Darwin. I went through the commission bills and the PSC “fiscal stability framework.” What I see is a mechanism (commission → legislative text → fast-track, no amendments) plus fiscal endpoints (debt ratios / solvency), but not the part that matters most: the values that constrain the solution space.

“Fiscal sustainability” can mean very different things depending on what tradeoffs you accept and who bears the costs. So I’m trying to understand the underlying philosophy:

Are there guardrails like “don’t increase poverty/mortality,” “don’t gut basic healthcare,” “don’t starve kids,” etc.?

Is distributional fairness part of the framework (shared burden / progressive revenue), or is everything “on the table,” including cuts that hit the vulnerable while protecting wealth?

My own view is we need a human flourishing framework first (a floor of dignity and capability), then derive fiscal policy from that—rather than treating debt reduction as the primary moral objective. Happy to engage if you’re willing to name the principles you think should guide a commission like this.

If helpful (no pressure to read), here’s a fuller articulation of what I mean by “framework”:

https://americanmanifesto.news/p/the-freedom-illusion-part-5

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Jason Normann's avatar

Great article Lukium ❤️ thank you for writing and pls keep on keeping on 🙏🏼!

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