When liberals announce their radical intentions, conservatives should listen. Democratic Party Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear that he wants to repeal the filibuster in the U.S. Senate. His end goal: invoke majority rule so that when Democrats take power, they can make D.C. a state and stack the Supreme Court, thereby paving a path to advance the left's agenda.

During his 14 years of service in Congress, Sen. Joe Manchin courageously stood up to the left's partisan power grabs, even when putting country first meant defying his own party. As Manchin details in his new book, "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense," Schumer isn't (nor was he ever) pursuing some noble cause: "He wanted a spectacle. He wanted a vote he could weaponize, a moment he could broadcast to the radical left to prove his loyalty."

The filibuster was designed to ensure minority participation in the Senate, so that a simple majority — 51 votes — could not pass legislation. Minority power prevents radical swings in political results on Capitol Hill and reflects a broader cross section of American views.

In his book, Manchin pulls back the curtain on Schumer's most flagrant attempts to circumvent constitutional intent and consolidate power — an end-run mission that has not abated. Conservatives and moderates would be wise to preempt such tactics before the next Democratic administration — which may not be checked by patriots like Manchin.

For years Schumer has proclaimed D.C. statehood is "an idea whose time has come." But his lofty rhetoric masks his true goal: add seats to the Senate that would give Democrats a better shot at holding a simple majority. Schumer conveniently ignores that the Founders intended the district as a haven to protect the federal government from more parochial state interests.

Likewise, Schumer has promised to "reform" the nation's highest court, which, in common speak, means adding seats to tip the balance in favor of progressive, leftist judges. It has become a threat Democrats sling almost every time the judicial branch rules against them in an apparent attempt to bully and intimidate the third branch. Conservatives shouldn't take it lightly.

Schumer's and the left's vision to nix the filibuster and pass their radical ideas with a simple majority isn't just a threat to our system of government; it threatens to produce a whipsaw effect. What's to stop Republicans from then subdividing a red state to gain more Senate seats the next time they take office? Or matching liberal seats on the bench with more conservative justices?

The left quickly forgets that America survived a one-party majority (Democrats) in the U.S. House of Representatives for 40 years and a liberal Supreme Court majority for even longer. Democrats will have their moment in the sun again, inevitably, and our country will be stronger as the wheels of government grind back and forth, as the Founders envisioned.

But Schumer's stated goals are not about achieving justice for Americans; they are about destroying the foundations of U.S. government so the left can impose its socialist aims on a reluctant public. Conservatives and moderates should pay attention to these threats and work to avert them while they have the votes.

To start, Congress should consider retrocession — a measure once used to give back part of D.C. to Virginia — to "right size" the district's borders. Keep D.C. areas that house the government's work in federal control and return the residential areas of D.C. to Maryland — which would achieve Schumer's fictional ideals without altering the makeup of the Senate.

Congress should also consider a constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to its current configuration — one chief justice and eight associate justices. An amendment would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers, which could be filibustered, but there's no reason Democrats should oppose it if they are honest about upholding the integrity of the court — which is a big "if."

Sadly, progressive leaders like Schumer aren't being honest when they throw around terms like voting rights and representation, or judicial reform. They realize they can only achieve their radical agenda by tearing down the pillars of government. Republicans and moderate Democrats can dismantle this ticking bomb by passing practical legislation to enshrine our system of governance. But the window to act is closing. Unless they act soon, Schumer's end-run on the Constitution could become reality. And the next time Democrats are in power, we may not have a regular Joe.

Ken Buck served in the United States House of Representatives from 2015 to 2024 representing Colorado's 4th congressional district. To find out more about Ken Buck and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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