freelansing in Seattle

I’ve been writing over the past year about the prospects for greater independence of Pacific states—Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. Let’s call it Pacifica, for the moment. See previous pieces here, here, and here.

I believe such discussions need to take place as the so-called United States has become irreparably divided between red and blue, with polarization growing every year. It’s not realistic to expect these states to ever be united again. As with any relationship with irreconcilable differences, the healthiest option may simply be to separate.

There are various ways to gain greater independence. One is simply become more independent within the current system, such as some of the existing interstate compacts of cooperation around certain areas like health and climate. More of this sort of independence is possible, but still leaves states vulnerable to abuses from a hostile federal government, such as sending in militarized forces into our communities. Another option could be if the United States changed its system to be more like the original Federalist vision of the founders, with more independent states and regions and a weaker central government.

But for a moment, let’s imagine Pacifica as a fully independent, sovereign nation. What would such a nation look like? What could it look like?

First of all, this nation would have a GDP of almost about $5.4 trillion, making it the third largest economy in the world, a population of 53 million, and a per capita income of over $100,000/year, one of the highest in the world. What could be done with all that wealth if directed wisely?

Imagine a nation whose policies were no longer at the mercy of right-wing voters in places like Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Where its tax money was no longer subsidizing red states and wasteful military spending, but supporting the social welfare of its own population.

Imagine a nation that acknowledged its diversity as its strength, where policies of diversity, equity, and inclusion were again valued instead of feared. Imagine a nation that valued its immigrants as valuable contributors to society, and that offered safe haven to refugees fleeing dangerous circumstances from abroad. Imagine a nation that supported trans people and people of any gender identity, instead of punishing them for simply being who they are. Imagine a nation that valued and celebrated its many subcultures of all kinds.

Imagine a nation that unequivocally supported women’s rights to bodily autonomy. Imagine a nation that supported families with better policies around maternal leave, childcare, universal pre-K, and other family-friendly approaches. Imagine a nation truly committed to the education of children and youth.

Imagine a nation that acknowledged the climate crisis as the real existential emergency it is. Imagine a nation committed to phasing out all fossil fuels as soon as possible, and committing resources to communities adapting to and recovering from severe weather events. Imagine a nation that recognized the rights of nature and acknowledged that a sustainable habitat is essential to human and non-human survival and flourishing.

Imagine a nation that considers food, health care, and housing basic human human rights, and commits to eradicating hunger, homelessness, and poverty among its citizens.

Imagine a nation that does all these things and more. Imagine a nation that could become a model of progress for the world.

Do we know that Pacifica would do all these things? Not for certain, but all these values and many of these policies already exist here. If freed from the constraints of existing retrograde national politics, we certainly could do all these things and more.

Just imagine.