Let Them Burn

How Democrats Can End MAGA’s Stupidity, Once and for All

Watching the fires rage in Los Angeles, as Republicans threatened to withhold aid while spreading their usual cocktail of misinformation and lies, I couldn’t stop thinking about where we’ve been—and where we’re headed.

California, a state that fuels America’s economy, is burning. And yet, Republicans—whose states rely disproportionately on federal funds provided by blue-state taxpayers—continue to mock science, deny reality, and sabotage the very systems that keep their own constituents alive.

That’s when it hit me: maybe it’s time to stop saving them.

Republicans Want to Burn It All Down

For decades, Republicans have made it their mission to dismantle the very systems that keep this country running. From Social Security to Medicare, from FEMA to public education, they’ve labeled everything Americans rely on as “big government” waste. Their solution? Defund, deregulate, and destroy.

And yet, the states that vote for these Republicans—the ones screaming loudest about “freedom” and “small government”—are the ones most dependent on federal aid. Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama: red states consistently take more from the federal government than they contribute. Meanwhile, blue states like California, New York, and Massachusetts are the ones keeping the whole system afloat.

Blue-state taxpayers are footing the bill for red-state irresponsibility. We’re paying for their schools, their hospitals, their disaster relief—and what do we get in return? Leaders who block progress at every turn, spread lies about the programs they depend on, and then demand more money while claiming to be “self-reliant.”

The hypocrisy is staggering. And it’s time we stopped playing along.

Blue States Are Carrying Red States—And We’re Done

Let’s get one thing straight: blue states are the backbone of America. California alone has the fourth-largest economy in the world, outpacing entire countries. New York and Illinois contribute billions more to federal coffers than they take out. Together, blue states fund the programs that red states rely on to survive.

But while we’re propping them up, they’re dragging us down. They mock the very safety nets that keep their economies afloat. They pass laws to block disaster relief and then come begging for FEMA funds when a hurricane hits. They scream about “freedom” while voting to control women’s bodies and strip away LGBTQ+ rights.

It’s not just unfair—it’s unsustainable.

They Despise the System They Depend On

Let’s take a look at some of the programs Republicans hate the most:

• Social Security and Medicare: For years, Republicans have pushed to privatize or slash these programs, even though their own voters—the seniors in red states—rely on them to survive.

• Public Education: Republican-led states underfund their schools, demonize teachers, and ban books while happily taking federal education dollars from blue-state taxpayers.

• FEMA: Republicans have floated the idea of defunding disaster relief entirely, arguing that states should handle emergencies on their own. This, of course, comes from the same states that are first in line for federal disaster aid every time a tornado or hurricane strikes.

But what if we stopped fighting to protect these programs? What if we stepped aside and let Republicans follow through on their threats to dismantle them?

Let Them Destroy It, and Let Us Build Our Own

The next time Republicans vote to defund FEMA, let’s call their bluff. The next time they want to kill Social Security, let’s step aside and see what happens.

Here’s the bottom line: blue states are subsidizing the GOP’s failure to govern. Every year, tens—if not hundreds—of billions of dollars flow from economically thriving blue states into red states that contribute far less to the federal system than they take out. This isn’t charity; it’s a scam.

Imagine what happens when we stop.

That money, instead of funding red-state boondoggles and propping up economies that mock the very science and safety nets they rely on, can be reinvested where it matters most: in the blue states that drive innovation, progress, and prosperity.

• Building Our Own Systems: The billions of dollars blue states save by cutting off the red-state freeloading machine could be used to build transformative systems—state compacts designed to replace the vital programs Republicans are hellbent on destroying. These compacts wouldn’t just replace existing systems; they would be stronger, more efficient, and focused on the needs of states that value science, humanity, and safety nets.

  Here’s what that could look like:

  • A Social Security Compact: A regional retirement safety net designed to guarantee lifelong security for residents of blue states. Unlike the federal Social Security system, which Republicans threaten to privatize, this compact would ensure a robust and reliable income for retirees, funded by the thriving economies of member states. No games, no privatization schemes—just dignity for those who’ve worked their whole lives.

  • A Public Health Compact: A universal healthcare system that ensures access to affordable, high-quality care for everyone in participating states. By pooling resources and leveraging the buying power of a multi-state coalition, blue states could negotiate lower drug prices, expand mental health services, and eliminate the profit-driven inefficiencies that plague the current system.

  • Disaster Resilience and Climate Compact: Instead of waiting for a broken FEMA to respond, blue states could develop their own climate-resilient disaster relief infrastructure. This compact would fund wildfire prevention, hurricane preparedness, flood defenses, and rapid disaster recovery efforts, ensuring that resources are deployed efficiently and without partisan delays.

  • An Education Excellence Compact: A coalition dedicated to fully funding public education, improving teacher pay, and ensuring equitable access to high-quality schools. Member states could share resources for curriculum innovation, teacher training, and STEM programs, creating a generation of students ready to lead in science, technology, and the arts.

  • A Housing Affordability Compact: Blue states could pool funds to build affordable housing in high-demand areas, address homelessness with evidence-based solutions, and ensure that housing is treated as a right, not a speculative asset.

    An Economic Justice Compact: A blueprint for supporting workers, raising wages, and reducing inequality. This compact could include portable benefits for gig workers, state-level child tax credits, and paid family leave programs, ensuring economic security for every worker and family.

  These compacts would be open only to states committed to the principles of progress: those that believe in human rights, science, equality, and a strong social safety net. They would operate collaboratively, prioritizing shared prosperity over partisanship.

• Providing Refuge: As red states descend into chaos and inevitably crumble under the weight of their theocratic dystopia, we’ll also have the resources to welcome those who choose science, progress, and human rights over the backward ideologies they’ve been forced to endure. With billions saved, we can offer housing, education, and jobs to those seeking a better future—on our terms.

• Investing in Growth: Instead of subsidizing red states’ bad decisions, that money can go toward making blue states stronger—better schools, affordable housing, cutting-edge technology, and the kinds of public goods that attract businesses and families alike.

This isn’t just about improving life in blue states; it’s about showing what’s possible when resources are invested in progress instead of ignorance. While red states descend into chaos, blue states will thrive, creating a clear and undeniable contrast between two very different visions of America’s future.

And when people in red states see the difference? When they realize their leaders sold them lies and fear instead of solutions? That’s when the real change begins.

This Isn’t a National Divorce—It’s a Speedrun of Stupidity

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about breaking the country apart. It’s about forcing accountability.

Think of this not as a national divorce, but as hitting fast-forward on the Republican experiment. Let them privatize Social Security, defund FEMA, and deregulate their way into oblivion. Let them experience their dystopian fantasies in real-time—and when they’re ready to admit defeat, we’ll be here with better solutions and a roadmap to sanity.

Let Them Burn

Red states have spent decades leeching off blue-state taxpayers while voting for policies that hurt everyone, including themselves. It’s time to stop saving them from their own stupidity.

Let’s invest in progress where it matters—in blue states, where science, innovation, and humanity still thrive. Let’s force Republicans to confront the failures of their dystopian fantasies. And let’s build a future that works for the people who actually want one.

Here’s the truth: you’re already part of this change just by being here, reading these words. You’re part of a movement that’s tired of the lies, the hypocrisy, and the sabotage. And together, we can do even more.

Share this article with someone who needs to hear it. Spread the ideas of The American Manifesto far and wide. And if you believe in this mission, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support ensures this message stays free, accessible, and independent—untainted by corporate influence or paywalls.

Sometimes, the only way to fix a broken system is to let it burn. But the only way to build something better is to do it together. Let’s get to work.