How about the South and Mountain West each become an independent nation “in free association” with the US?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Islands

The deal is: you get to control immigration, taxes, trade (excepting ITAR – arms trade), but can have no military.  Citizens of the two territories can elect to voluntarily submit income taxes to the IRS, and in return can become eligible for a US passport.

I think the Empire will always be a stumbling block on the road to political diversity in American domestic politics.  However, as the Empire – and the left – centralizes, why not give everyone else a break?

Free association would keep the Empire together, so the deep state would probably be more willing to allow it.  If you will.

Anything to stop talking about Judge Freakin’ Kavanaugh.