I agree. I think the metro area is the best level of government that balances just the right amount of centralization with decentralization. While national, state, county, and local borders are artificial lines on a map, metro areas have grown organically.
In my recently published book "Promoting Progress," I argue that we should promote all metro areas with a population of over 2 million to be their own states and transfer domestic federal powers to the states. This reform will reinvigorate American federalism and get us through these Culture Wars between Democrats and Republicans.
I think that it's a good thing most metro areas don't have as much power as Portland's. I live in the Eugene, OR metro area, yet because of blanket laws passed at the State level, a disproportionate amount of my taxes go to Portland, even though I live halfway across the State. Plus, there's laws in place that help grow Portland, but hinder growth in other parts of the state (like housing and business subsidies). If Portland's metro wasn't so overwhelming, there wouldn't be as strong of a succession movement in 3/4 of the state.
I agree. I think the metro area is the best level of government that balances just the right amount of centralization with decentralization. While national, state, county, and local borders are artificial lines on a map, metro areas have grown organically.
In my recently published book "Promoting Progress," I argue that we should promote all metro areas with a population of over 2 million to be their own states and transfer domestic federal powers to the states. This reform will reinvigorate American federalism and get us through these Culture Wars between Democrats and Republicans.
https://www.amazon.com/Promoting-Progress-Radical-Abundance-Poverty-ebook/dp/B0BXQ51CY4/
I agree that anchor metros should be separated and turned into their own states.
I think that it's a good thing most metro areas don't have as much power as Portland's. I live in the Eugene, OR metro area, yet because of blanket laws passed at the State level, a disproportionate amount of my taxes go to Portland, even though I live halfway across the State. Plus, there's laws in place that help grow Portland, but hinder growth in other parts of the state (like housing and business subsidies). If Portland's metro wasn't so overwhelming, there wouldn't be as strong of a succession movement in 3/4 of the state.