Kyle HughesWe are presently living through the worst-case scenario of the administrative state given to a bad actor. It gives me great pause. Is there any way forward without dismantling it?
If hardening our democratic institutions meant becoming a Pocket Constitution person and advocating for the rights of gun ownership, could you do it?
Matt Massicotte@kyle I see no point
@mattiem which part, for what reason?
@kyle I see no point in making concessions with a group that will not cooperate, to defend a document that has proven to be insufficient
@mattiem Hmm. I am looking at it from the perspective of needing to find the strongest lowest-common-denominator origin story to unite people through that doesn't need new buy-in. The American Revolution × Constitution × Amendments are the best ones we have. If we decide we need to align around a new concept of freedom in this moment, and concede that the Constitution should not be honored, we are cooked. It is a classic progressive stumble to only accept perfection, which is why I asked yes/no.
@mattiem The question wasn’t—do you think this is possible, which we likely disagree on—but would you do it if this is what it would take? Which is purposefully challenging for my audience, I know.
@kyle If I had some kind of assurance that it would make meaningful progress: definitely.
@mattiem Thank you for participating in the thought experiment 🫡
I grew up exclusively in conservative environments and this has always been the hole I have had my eye on that we can thread the needle through. I really believe it, and unfortunately may live to see it tested.