Would you support your state seceding from the United States if...?

Question

You understood a few things would happen. For instance :

1. There would no longer be a need to spend 20% of the government budget on the military, or have to fight in wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, or base troops on foreign soil. There would be no need to finance a military with a massive offensive capability; only a force strong enough to defend the state.

2. You would pay a lot less in taxes. No more Federal income tax, no Social Security or Medicare tax, or FICA tax. You would still pay your state income tax (if you have one), but you still take home more money at the same rate of pay you make now. It would be just like you got a 20% pay raise.

3. You will pay less for certain goods. When the Federal tax is removed from an item, like cigarettes, they will be cheaper to purchase, even if the state raises the state tax on them. Don't smoke? What about gas? We pay 19 cents per gallon of gas in Federal tax. Your state can raise its gas tax by 10 cents, and you would still pay less for gas.

4. Your state can negate any Federal law that the citizens of the state disagree with, whether it is legalizing drugs and gay marriage, banning NAFTA and guns, instituting card check, or banning abortion, stronger immigration enforcement, and requiring balanced budgets.

5. Your state and its taxpayers would no longer be a party to the $12 trillion debt, or the  $100 trillion+ in unfunded mandates like Social Security and Medicare, so when the U.S  defaults on its debt obligations, and it will, since right now paying interest on the debt is third highest on the list of our government's annual expenditures, behind only Social Security and Medicare, your state's economy won't be destroyed like the rest of America's will be.

Think of the people on the Titanic. There has to come a time when you decide to abandon ship. The longer you wait, the less likely you will survive.

JeepDiva · Accepted Answer

Sounds like you're advocating a dictatorship. Let's keep things the way they are. People like you could be very dangerous.

Who did Jefferson Davis beat in the "Confederacy Election?" 
You're an idiot.

Anonymous · Answer

They do have the right to secede. The Constitution does not stop them. That said I am in CA. I am fairly sure they already have seceded. They legalized herb when the don't have the right to. They create sanctuary cities when both federal and state law compels them to obey US Immigration Law. Politicians here are up in arms over AZ adding US Code to AZ law when CA directs Police to turn over illegals and has for many many many years. The morons CANNOT F ing read their own damned laws. I know CHP that confiscate as many as 6 cars a day when they pull over an illegal for speeding of some other infraction. The law compels them to do so. Why support a bunch of morons that have bankrupted 1 of only 2 states that could stand a chance on their own...Texas being the other. Going your own means shutting down the borders, creating a military, loosing all the Fed acquired NG equipment, loosing any US military and loosing all the land owned by the US Government. They do own a LOT of each state.

Jynnipher · Answer

Hahaha @ the 2nd poster "EL": I'm in CA and we are broke. Be prepared to bail us out like GM. God, I hate saying that. And please fight it for all you are worth, we need to cut services and not figure out how others can pay for them. Off my high horse now :)

Could you seceded? Yes. If that's what you want to do; absolutely. The primary reason for a federal government system (per our founders and our Constitution) was for nationhood. You know, such as raise an army and navy, operate a court system, provide for standard weights and measures, coin money, and operate a post office. Those are aspects of nationhood with which the states would no longer be concerned. However, the states retained for themselves the power to legislate for the health, safety, welfare and morality of people in the states. (Hence why AZ's law against illegal immigration is perfectly fine)

You can argue the pros and cons, but I think it's best to remain part of the US for reasons of nationhood. That said, if things get so bad or wrong - then seceding from the nation is still your option. You will, however, have to start paying more for those services the feds once provided.

It's an option, but an option you should weigh heavily upon. Just vote the bums out in November and pray it doesn't come to your state seceding.

God bless.

Gregory · Answer

No never...its not fiscally sound and you would not save any money..indeed it would cost more.  The feds pay for our military, so 20% of the state budget would still be spent on the military...fica, medicare and social securitywouldnt be taken from you...but you also wouldnt get the services..if the state wanted to implement them, then taxes would be raised...you would be paying the same amount, just to a differant gov...Unless you have refineries in your state or grow tabacco, you would have to pay import and shipping fees...being a seperate country would mean no free trade or even favored nation status with the other 49...try buying gas or american cigs in europe, both cost way more than they do in the US...all 50 states contributed to the national debt.  Even if your state didnt contribute..you sent 2 senators and X reps to congress to represent you, and they were a party to the over spending and subsequent debt...the debt is all of ours, not the "federal governments".
In summation i dont think your contentions are compelling nor are they true(except #4).  Its all for not anyway, no state would be allowed to secede...and no state except CA would be able to sustain itself and maintain the standard of living of its citizens.  Everything from water rights to power supply would be cut off...all federal services and money would be cut off to the state and local goverments.  Many cities and most states are dependent on federal funding...without it they would crumble and collapse

Anonymous · Answer

No, The Civil war was bloody, but If certain states want to bow to corporatism then I do not wish to pay for their mistakes. It is clear that some do not accept the Democratic process and I am tired of fighting them. Let them live in the cesspool that they worship and maybe then they will understand what the founding fathers meant. Bethy, I am pleasantly surprised.

Anonymous · Answer

i live in CA so no. if CA succeeded it would turn complete communist, and would not receive the federal bailout money it is so desperately counting on. they would probably build a wall around it to keep workers in like the USSR did.


interestingly-  in 2009 Californians Finance Director Mike Genest looked into going back to "territory" status so it would no longer be responsible for some of its debts.


ALSO- in CA state taxes on things like gas, and cigs are higher then the feds taxes, our sales tax is also highest in the nation. so again that wouldn't help us.



guess progressive governments don't work huh?

Anonymous · Answer

hahaha.  you're funny.  you say cigarettes would be cheaper.  lol.  where you planning on getting these cheap ciggys?  going to import them from the usa?  (remember, you will no longer be a part of us).  think you can make it on your own?  not going to pay into social security?  what will you do with your parents when they get old?  don't want the military?  who will defend your state?  not us, remember, we are out of the picture.  oh, think some boys with deer rifles can hold off russian bombers?  tanks?

nothing you say here make any sense whatsoever.  it's like you've never read a book.  homeschooled?

but hey, if you don't like usa, maybe you would like Somalia better.

yellow.45 · Answer

there are few states that have the resources to stand as their own nation. the unexpected hassles and international trade laws not to mention those citizens not in favor of secession would be hard to deal with. now if several states were willing to form a coalition or federation...say something along the lines of Cascadia or Ecotopia I might back that.

Knowledge Is Power · Answer

1. as nice as that would be its not realistic
2. that would be a positive step
3. ending government intervention in prices would be great
4. as long as it followed the constitution, I still want to speak, practice religion etc.
5. if that would work than that would be great.

Id rather the US do these things but if they cant and the US is a sinking ship than I guess it would be better to get on another ship.

Bethy · Answer

However, you would also not get the benefits of

1. Millions in DOT funds for highways and roads

2. Millions in federal matching funds for schools and community

3. the US military to keep some rogue nation for attacking you

Also your forgetting the possibility of a lincoln like president who really really wants you to stay

Anonymous · Answer

No, as a liberal and a progressive, I actually love America and its democratic values. Those things you complained about are similar in ALL industrial nations.

It's part of being in the first world. Sorry to burst your bubble, that is just how rich societies are run, just look at any other rich country that has been wealthy for some time.

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Would you support your state seceding from the United States if...?

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