I’ve heard rich people ruin everything, now you can add the United States to the list.
Rich people and their minions, known as voters, have made it impossible to live in the United States. Everybodyís complaining, regardless of party affiliation, it’s the only thing everyone agrees upon: the country is headed in the wrong direction. Now Christians have stopped welcoming strangers because they’re different and stopped loving their neighbor based on the color of their yard sign.
Half the people in the United States live in five percent of its counties. In these heavily populated locations, the best of America is readily on display, massive publicly funded educational, developmental and self-help programs, public transportation infrastructure, innovations in medicine, protections for workers and citizens crafted by top lawyers, diversity on every corner, job creation, charitable institutions, museums, libraries, skyscrapers. The Big City is the America the rest of the world dreams about.
The other 95% of counties are not populace but populist: they donít like the Big City, without realizing we pay their bills. They couldnít survive without us, and yet they wish they could; so I say, why not let them?
Most prognosticators believe Americaís problems are too sticky to resolve, but as you will see below, getting rid of the United States solves everything.
The term ‘United States’ goes back to when each Governor called their own shots, before the Constitution created DC.
Many of these states were companies before colonies, and became revolutionary to protect their independence. Years after the King recognized the states as sovereign, they united under the Constitution in a tight vote. The States would sometimes regret their decision and try to break free, most famously with the Civil War.
It’s worth asking, is Civil War always preferable to breaking up the Union?
Compare the Civil War with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
What’s so hard about letting States free from the Union? If you have to kill everybody to keep them in the Union, how could that make it more perfect? Coming up on two hundred years and in the Deep Old South it’s like the Civil War happened yesterday. Theyíre never going to get over it. They can’t get over it. They want another bite at the Big Apple.
With a million people dead, and counting, trying to reunite the Soviet Union years after allowing separation is even worse than fighting to hold it together. A taste of freedom is worse than none at all.
If we are going to successfully pull apart the United States, it must be first with the agreement that no Prince is going to come along and put Humpty Dumpty back together again.
History is a lot like life, unintended consequences rule the day; really, the only difference between life and history is one can be sensed and the other is fabricated by someone with an agenda.
I assure you, there was a truth, at one time; something happened.
The motive for why States wants to break free from the Union must be pure.
The Southern Confederacy, on the other hand, planned to establish their capital in Havana and pursue Manifest Destiny throughout the New World and beyond. In their fantasy, the Confederacy would repeat the success achieved in Texas, where a legal border is crossed, the indigenous people driven from their land, slavery instituted, and a ruling class anointed. California was perfect for slavery. That’s what the Civil War was about, donít let anyone tell you otherwise. Lincoln fought the Civil War not because the South wanted to get out of the Union, but because these people were a stain on the human race, genociders, slavers, traitors, who got down on their knees every Sunday and thanked God for His many blessings.
Compare that to the breakaway former Soviet republics, whose primary motivation was to escape Moscowís latest whimsy, be it purge or pogrom, famine or conscription. They thought they could find peace in the bear’s shadow. We see how that went.
What I propose is a division of the Union undertaken by all parties willing and simultaneously, where lasting and binding agreements are made and honored. In that case, what could go wrong?
Let’s face it, ending the United States might be the only way to stop the complaining.
We’ll still be Americans, after all, even if we’re no longer citizens of the United States.
Sure beats fighting another Civil War. We know how much destruction the last war caused. Imagine what we could do to each other today. If youíre not sure what it looks like, search ‘Gaza Strip.’
Below I propose how to divide the formerly united states in a way that ensures lasting peace here in America and throughout the world.
Step 1: Carve out California.
The rest of us can live without California, and Californians can live without us.
In many ways, California is already its own country.
The complaints coming from various quarters of the Republic are often because they donít feel the laws and ideals espoused in California represent their view; nothing worse than some Hollywood type tweeting about the dangers humanity poses to the environment when they use a helicopter to beat traffic while promoting wear once plastic fashion.
Separating California from the rest will be the first step towards lasting peace. Historians will look back and proclaim the separation of California from the United States as the end of the Culture War; no treaty will be necessary, as the disputes were meaningless.
Once California is no longer part of the United States most people in and out of California will stop complaining about America. The old saying will ring true for the Union: we won’t know what we had until it’s gone.
They taught us in kindergarten that Revolutions start when people donít have proper representation. LA County has the same population as 18 states combined. In the Senate, this misrepresentation is perverse, especially when these empty states uniformly vote against Californiaís interests.
Time to let California go. They’ll be fine.
California is Americaís #1 state in so many metrics, from beauty to GDP, and if we let them keep the military bases and planes, ships, biowar shops, etc., they would have one of the worldís most feared militaries. No one would mess with California. The rest of America will look to California in the same way the world looked at the United States, all the good and bad. The job of world policeman, the immigration crisis, we’ll just give it all to California, let them worry about it.
Given these superfluence of positive attributes, California will gladly accept their fair share of the $35 trillion the former United States owes its creditors. Our loan sharks pile on $3 billion of vig every day. Eventually we’re going to get our economy kneecapped. Best to set up a payment plan before we lose our good credit. Sitting around while DC blows more money will continue until the day we go under forever. California could pay it off. I say we let them. Take $10 trillion.
It’s the same argument as student loans, if you start deep enough in debt, you’ll put your head down and work hard your whole life, you’ll have no choice.
Californians, think of it as the price of freedom: never again will you have to hear your fellow citizens criticize the United States, when they’re really talking about you.
Next stop: Texas.
Texas always was and wanted to be something different.
Texas is all about freedom.
Logically, the new leaders of the nation of Texas will be those who most embrace freedom. As freedom lovers, they will allow Houston, El Paso and Austin to hold a referendum: let the people decide whether they want to be a free city state within Texas, or simply part of Texas.
It will be important for the new leaders of Texas to embrace freedom, rather than just talk about it. Donít be passionate about your own freedom while remaining steadfast ignorant of everyone else’s.
For the rest of America the separation of Texas is more great news from the Southern Border. Everyoneís #1 issue, not our problem anymore, unless Texas follows Mexicoís example and allows immigrants to walk from one border to the other. I think it’s safe to say we’re not going to see that. What kind of Governor would ship illegal migrants around like that?
The more likely outcome is the Texas border goes quiet.
After all, the never-ending flow of illegal immigrants are trying to get into the United States, not Texas. Who would risk it all to get into Texas? That kind of love was reserved for the United States, which no longer exists. Once thereís nothing on the other side of the Rio Grande but Texas, people will look for other places to go. Border Portal will boreder, playing cards, telling stories about how it used to be. The Wall will rust into oblivion, never finished, forgotten.
Letís assume Austin votes to retain its independence, it must have free access to the outside world. Texas could never make law to pressure its city states, like the Russians did to Berlin in the 40s.
Note that these agreements would be made before new elections take place. If the corrupt Texans get control, well, weíve seen what happens then. All of these assumptions are based on honorable men leading honorable nations.
To Texans, if you really want to be free from the United States, prove it.
Besides, the crumbling Interstate Highway system is one of the few things we have to show for our $35 trillion. Whatever the new borders of the former United States become, the highways must remain open to all Americans. Maintenance will be a bitch as no one wants to pay. Moving around was easy, ‘state to state with no papers,’ one of the old slogans border crossing guards will hear daily from travelers with the wrong ID.
The new arrangement becomes more complicated as each nation will writes their own Constitution. Constituencies will demand to be heard. No one wants to pay taxes. Tolls might go up, there might be checkpoints, random searches, fees, pay-offs. Once the United States starts coming apart, it’s hard to sit here with complete accuracy and predict what comes next.
If it were up to me, I would saddle Texas with $7.5 trillion as they ride off into the sunset. Texas will be in a great position to make money. Oil will continue to be critical to the economy for the foreseeable future, especially in the former United States, where love of car is hypnotic. Texas can set the price.
Note how quickly I cut the debt of the former United States in half. If you’ve got any better ideas Iíd love to hear them, and donít tell me how if we only cut taxes we could grow our way out.
Next, naturally, is Florida;
I say naturally because the state is sinking, becoming blue whether Republicans like it or not. West Palm Beach money will be needed to keep the nation afloat.
On their way down, why not saddle Florida with as much debt as possible? We’ll never be able to pay back $17.5 trillion, especially without California and Texas. A massive write-off is coming, one way or the other. What better excuse than ìclimate changeî? I’m sure Florida won’t be the only sinking nation with their hand out.
By now, the other states in the Union are clamoring: when can we be free from Washington DCeet? These states will also be wondering whether they can do it alone and of course the answer is no.
California, Texas and Florida were part of the Spanish Empire, they’ve been through different incarnations over the centuries, they can handle it. The rest of us, we’ve had the good life.
Fact is, many states are on the dole while their people and DC representatives speak lovingly of capitalism. They call it Red State Welfare. Blue States pay the bills. Funny ainít it, how even the smartest people are always projecting.
People in the United States will never stop voting against their own interests, complaining about socialism, while surviving on the charity of the hated DC elite. All this ends with the Union.
What about my Social Security check?
Well, you knew it was a Ponzi scheme. Thereís no money, there never was, it’s all made up money. What little they saved prominent politicians pissed away on pet projects and pork barrels, trusting in their heart America would never fail those less fortunate. The evil DC puppetmasters, remember them, Pelosi and the gang, the ones running the Matrix? Yeah, they were the ones who kept you fat and happy.
How do you tell a state they can’t make it on their own, that they simply donít have what it takes, without fomenting Revolt?
I say, let Democracy lead the way, it’s gotten us this far.
For example, many communities in border states outside California, Texas and Florida share a kinship with their larger neighbors, or rely on them economically. Those people should have an opportunity to join one of these newly formed nations.
Each new country will offer a special amnesty where citizens of the former United States can move around, buy themselves a plot of land in a country that’s more to their liking.
The British tried this when they left India in 1947. They carved out Pakistan and Bangladesh so Muslims would have a home. It wasnít easy, fifty million dead, bodies piled up on the side of the road. Pakistan and India are still skirmishing and have a bunch of nuclear weapons pointed at each other, but they found their way.
I expect us to do better here in America. As the states become un-united, people should be free to seek out the home that fits them best, a place where thereís nothing left to complain about. We’re not going to start killing each other on the road. We’re breaking up the Union for the exact opposite reason.
Yet, readers are starting to appreciate the risks of dissolution.
What if Texas enacts a tariff on oil? You think inflation is bad now, wait to you see how it works in little shithole countries. Prices skyrocket overnight, you wake up and can’t fill the tank because thereís a line around the block. Like living in a disaster zone all the time.
This is what happens when the lights go out in DC, because that’s where they print the money.
The end of the United States was necessitated both by the fact that we recognized too many unpopulated regions as states, but also the idiocy of voters, who let themselves be tricked of wealth and health.
We The People of the former United States, alone, carry the blame and shame of allowing a DC-based oligarchy to seize power and take control of every aspect of our daily lives, enriching themselves while impoverishing everyone else.
Still, there is no alternative to Democracy.
We literally need to vote county by county, in geographic order.
For example, if Yuma County in Arizona votes yes, they would become part of California and the voting would extend to Maricopa County. Phoenix might think California is the place to be, or they might prefer Texas, but how long will it take for Texas to grow from one end of New Mexico to the other? It could happen, maybe New Mexico says they want to become part of Texas in a statewide vote. People love choice. What if a county has regrets about their vote? They should be able to change their minds. The borders might not ever get settled. These sort of expansions and dissolutions happened all the time back in the day, just with armies and Kings drawing the lines with bloody swords.
Southwest communities should think long and hard about their vote.
The issue of water will be complicated by the number of nations now sharing the same supply. Fairness and cooperation were difficult while we were united states, now the stakes are higher. The Southwest would appreciate the destructive force California could bring to bear if anyone threatened their water supplies, and that might make these communities realize, if only over time, they are safer inside the bearís cave than out.
People are people, so eventually there will be a line of counties that donít want to be part of California, Texas or Florida.
Like all elections, the vote will depend upon the rhetoric, the candidates, the sort of activities these new nations undertake in their nascent period.
For example, Texas might take an extreme position, and this discourages a neighboring community from voting Yes. Then a new government comes to power in Texas and their policies are more amenable, and the neighboring county demands another vote.
If it’s really about freedom, why not let Americans decide where we want to live? Are we free or not? Does our freedom end when it’s time to be free from the Union itself?
By now I expect Utah has acted unilaterally to become its own country. This was the original prophecy, so donít act surprised when Theocracy returns to the New World. Utah will also reach out to neighboring counties in an attempt to grow its traditional border. Some neighbors may see Utah as preferable to California or Texas, especially when it becomes clear how unself-sufficient these rural areas really are, how living off grid was homesteader cosplay utterly dependent on some spigot in DC that was supposed to never run dry, more Westworld than Wild West.
it’s worth noting that while these unpopulated states had an unfair representation in the Senate, the only ones to profit were the representatives themselves. The States were left as undeveloped backwaters. These places will both have the loudest shouts for independence, and the least chance of survival.
Oregonians have petitioned to become part of Idaho.
From this, I conclude these people would not want to be part of California or Utah.
Since Idaho has thrust itself at the center of the secession debate, we can use ‘Idaho’ to describe the new semi-autonomous regions out West.
New Idaho would stretch south and east to include the counties that voted against joining California, Utah or Texas.
We need to carve out the civilized areas from New Idaho. The eastern border would not include Omaha, Denver, Vegas, metropolitan Arizona, but will likely extend around and past these population centers, leaving them surrounded by anarchy.
it’s easy to imagine some rural counties becoming completely isolated, unwilling to join anyone. The final map might look like Germany in the 1600s, right before the 30 Years War resulted in the loss of half their population. That level of destruction would never happen here though, because we wouldnít start killing each other to prove who was the better Christian.
Regarding ìthe Pacific Northwest, the coastal regions of Oregon and Washington, given the evidence, protests, appeals to anarchy, past elections, etc.,I’m convinced this area will emerge as independent, unwilling to join California, Utah, Idaho, Canada, or even with each other. The Pacific Northwest will convince themselves they can survive on their own.
The area becomes a ‘wild card’ in the careful effort to peaceably separate the United States.
What happens when the lights go out? Whoís responsible? Whoís supposed to come in and save the day when these people start starving? The possible outcomes are extreme. Canada might fear the anarchy on their border, try to adopt the Pacific Northwest as a new Province or set of Provinces. The people who live in the Pacific Northwest might revert, become the next utopian society to die off, or worse, absorbed by an aggressive neighbor. If the Pacific Northwest becomes linked with forces in northern California, and a transborder black market emerges, it would recall the Barbary Coast glory days, create a new pirate haven.
Like the other revolutionary ideas originating from America, the rest of the world will follow our example. Going small ensures accountability. Most of the issues we face came from scaling up irrationally, especially in the realm of technology. There was no plan. The more power oligarchs enjoy, the easier it is for them to shape their peopleís belief, the greater they become a threat to all life on earth.
I’m tired of hearing about the Southern Border of my own country, the last thing I need to be worried about is some two-bit Hitler wannabe with his finger on the button. No man should be able to kill us all.I’m amazed we’re still here.
Youíd expect Canadians to be curious about the long term impact of not having the United States as a neighbor. Quebec is likely the first Province to go it alone, but keep an eye on the Northwest Territories. A new seaway is opening in the Arctic, ships are crisscrossing the top of the world.
Canada only ever had one neighbor, a border they barely cared to defend. Canada will regret its criticism of the United States once it gets to know the gang on the other side of the Arctic. Like most of the worldís nations, Canada will wish the United States was still around to fight their battles, and will hate having to ask California for protection.
Maybe we could sell Alaska to Canada, it has to be worth a couple trill. Alaska makes more sense as part of Canada, donít you think? But what if Russia comes in with a higher bid? Man we need the money, cash is king when you’re broke.
If New Idaho is a place where people are truly free from all government, expect this anarchy to spread into Canada, where the lifestyle and demographics are similar. Everyone will call this territory, free from any form of wokism, Greater America.
To the people of Wyoming, we can no longer afford your coal subsidies. If you love coal power, build the belching plants in your own beautiful land, but without access to capital markets in New York, Chicago, Boston, how do these expensive projects get off the ground? All the costs are on the front end. You need patient investors who can hand you fat stacks without expecting to see anything come back for years. You have to sell your soul to the Devil either way. The distant places who pine for Greater America will have to accept reality: without DC hand-outs and Wall Street financing thereís nothing romantic about your lifestyle. Freedom from billionaires makes you a caveman.
People who argue their fellow Americans should be in prison, who know when the key should be thrown away, go ahead, build and staff the expensive facility in your own backyard. I get the feeling once DC is no longer around to foot the bill, each new nation will lean into their libertarianism when it comes to criminal justice. Vast surveillance campaigns, who needs them?
Either that or it’s back to the old days, where our Founding Fathers erected the courthouse in front of the best hanging tree. Innocent, what? Too late now.
Obviously we can’t give any debt to New Idaho as they would refuse to accept it and have no money and no way to make money. Itíd be no different than writing it off. Best to have a clean break with Greater America. The less attachment, the better.
East of Idaho, from Omaha to Pittsburgh and encompassing the Great Lakes, north of Texas and Florida, any of the large population centers not part of an existing nation would remain United under the Constitution, and become known as the Midwestern United States.
These people will be proud to retain the old name and centuries of carefully crafted law, and they will continue the pursuit of a more perfect Union. The Midwestern US should also be exempt from the debt, as they did nothing but work hard. They should get a chance at a fair start. That’s all anyone ever asks for. I think they’ll do fine. If they do, look for parts of Canada to once again join, sensing kinship. Maybe some counties in Greater America will want back in, ready to surrender some freedoms in the name of the greater good.
More complicated is the Mississippi River and Delta Region (MRDR). When the Mississippi River was part of the United States, this vast waterway could be managed based on the power of local interests and their ability to have their wishes granted in DC. Now there are different countries involved. It gets tricky.
While everyone trusts Midwesterners, it’s likely there will be too much concern about ìwho controls the Mississippiî for a successful dissolution of the United States. Creating MRDR might have to be the first step.
Also worth noting is that while Florida is sinking, the Mississippi will become wider, more like a small sea. The United States are being separated whether we like it or not. Best to find a reliable climate change model and estimate how wide the Mississippi will be in say, 2100. Anything that will eventually be under water will be cordoned off with a wire fence. Might as well start trying to get the people out of there safely now.
Once we have MRDR fenced off and cleared of people, we can sell it, just like the original Louisiana Purchase. it’s going to be a nice flip, I think, for just a couple hundred years investment. We can’t use this money to pay down the debt as all of it will be allocated to finding the people who currently live here a new home.
Once sold, MRDR will operate like the Panama Canal Region. New Orleans can play the insidious role of Panama City. Financing the endeavor would be complicated, especially since once private money is involved they are going to want to extend the MRDR up the Missouri and Ohio, gobbling up parts of the Midwestern US. The lawyers should have a field day.
Like everything else that happens here, the dissolution of the United States will be managed from the eastern seaboard. We were here first. This is where the Ivy League schools are. We’re the decision makers. The rest of the country must accept our decisions.
Certainly, West Virginia needs to become a new nation. I cannot imagine West Virginia being part of any nation, other than the United States. North and south, West Virginia’s borders will be extended by fiat. Many Appalachian communities share the same challenges. The goal is to force them inside the same border.
Each new nation created from the former United States will be asked to contribute to a fund to help sustain Appalachia (except Greater America because they’re broke and donít think it’s their job to help those less fortunate). It would be unfair to ask Appalachia to carry the same burdens as the rest of us, given what they’ve been through. What they need is affirmative action. A strong Appalachia is good for everyone.
Now, the hard part, how to divide the old Civil War rivals without setting the stage for a rematch?
If we create a new nation in the Old South, could it resist flying the Confederate flag? Will they call it a win, a testament to never giving up?
Indeed, the only way to avoid another Civil War is to deny the Old South its own country.
Certainly, the mismanagement in Confederate states since the end of the Civil War is reason enough. The Old South states ranks last in every metric, from GDP to education and healthcare, opportunities and obviously, leadership.
Furthermore, the great bastions of the south do not want to be part of some backward society. Charlotte, Atlanta and Nashville will be critical hubs in the region. Does anyone who lives in these cities want to be governed by some hick who never got over the past? The best of the Old South moved on.
So what can be done with the Deep Old South? Here were the Tories who fought for the King during the Revolution, traitors who revolted in defense of Slavery, who demanded nothing less than total defeat and then used that as an excuse to cling more tightly to their prejudices, people who despite the disgrace of being a slaver and a traitor never stopped brandishing the Confederate flag. Where the National Guard had to escort black kids to school? The people whose votes still go to any politician who incites and invites Civil War? What should be their reward?
The dissolution of the United States gives us an opportunity to pay reparations. The only fair thing to do is set aside the Deep Old South for Native Americans. Really, all we need to do is honor the Native Americansí existing legal claims, they’re already holding Title on this land.
Imagine how the world would change if every nation asked themselves who the land really belongs to.
The Deep Old South is also a great place to pay reparations, finally, to African Americans, those who were brought here against their will and forced to work as slaves.
A new nation will be created, a place for African Americans to call home. The idea of Liberia, but right here in America. The new African-American nation can be centered around Mississippi. Mississippi has a large African-American population and is the worst managed state in the Old South.
Some African-Americans might ask, Mississippi, isnít that like when we got February?
I urge detractors to imagine how vibrant the state of Mississippi will become once it is an African American nation. As has been often noted, what is American history without African Americans? Thereís a lot less heroes.
Mississippi will not be burdened with debt but also won’t need assistance. Mississippi will be a success.
Misinformation will spread among the white population of the Old South about what it’s going to be like living under Native or African-American rule. Those who use their power for ill always assume everyone else would do the same, if only they had the chance.
Some of these white refugees will try to get across an unprotected border, maybe find their way into Appalachia, get back on the dole. With fencing and walls guarding the MRDR zone to the West, a New Trail of Tears will form, a Caravan of poor white people with nowhere to call home.
The natural home for old Confederates is Greater America, but New Idaho doesnít like immigrants. New Idaho has no formal immigration policy. Based on the number of people who voted for Trump, millions of people are trying to get into Greater America, a line that goes out the door and never moves. New Idaho residents have no idea where to put these immigrants, and no social services to support them. Desperate, some MAGA risk everything trying to sneak their families across the Mississippi. They walk up and down the fence, looking for any way to get in.
Yet, why assume the worst?
A sinking Florida might be more welcoming.
As Ground Zero for climate change, the nation of Florida will evolve into a much different place. The concerns about rising sea levels will be shared with their Caribbean neighbors. Florida might expand, uniting Cubans, Haitians, Dominicans, all the disappearing island nations under one banner.
Maybe the people of Florida start building floating cities and it’s futuristic. Maybe Florida will be so successful they need more service economy workers, and the homeless immigrants from the Old South can be granted temporary visas, as long as they commit to working long hours with low pay, and can endure the constant taunt of second-class citizenship.
As for a Native American homeland, historians might argue Oklahoma is a good place to start, but they should know Native Americans were only given autonomy in Oklahoma because it was the worst land in the country, and as soon as we found oil, we took it right back. More relevantly, many Oklahoma communities likely voted to become part of Texas when they had a chance, with Yes votes from Native Americans.
The Reservations are already semi-autonomous zones and should certainly be free to maintain whatever agreements are in place. Even Idahoans must acknowledge someone lived on the land before them.
Does America include stretches where Native Americans could recapture the lifestyle they enjoyed pre-Contact? Sure, but how many really want to live like that, turn back the clock? Worse, which tribes get the reward of their ancestral homeland, and who is asked to live on the land of an ancient rival?
The only fair conclusion is Native Americans should be given control of a variety of locations throughout the former United States. Why not give Native Americans a choice for once? Would it be the end of America if we put the interests of Native people first, or a new beginning?
Given the number of Native Americans who found the hospitality industry offered an opportunity to pull their communities out of poverty, Native Americans might want to control Las Vegas and the surrounding environment.
Vegas is an anomaly on the map. It doesnít fit neatly into Idaho, California or Texas. It could only survive if it continued to be a tourist destination. Citizens from California and Texas, even Florida, will still want to fly into Vegas for a good time. Vegas will need some support and some autonomy.
Another place Native Americans might want to reclaim is Washington, DC. For the Native American to return to power in DC after five-hundred years might not be as unbelievable as seeing Jerusalem in Jewish hands after a couple thousand, but for Native Americans who lost everything, control of DC will resonate. Across the world, native people will look to reclaim their home. It will be good for everyone.
There was a reason DC never made it to statehood. If you couldnít make it as a state, how can you expect to be a nation?
More importantly, once the states are no longer united, what do we need DC for? Each new country will have their own Capitol to storm when they get mad.
DC could become a museum, a tribute to lost glamour, home to universities, a place of study, like Pompeii. Beats having everything burnt down, to see it sacked over and over again, like Rome, but maybe that’s just how Empires end, with roving Vandals defacing the seat of power.
Does it make sense to anyone that the richest communities in America surround DC?
DC should be saddled with all $35 trillion, but how would they ever pay it off? All they make is money. Once appropriations are made elsewhere, DC will be a ghost town.
it’s really the best possible outcome, for those who love peace.
The transition will be difficult for the communities around DC; I wish them the best.
it’s easy to see these forgotten areas around DC uniting with Baltimore to the north and Richmond to the south, they could call themselves Delmarva, or maybe The Chesapeake.
Pennsylvania and New York must retain their independence, especially from each other.
If thereís any debt left, I say we give it to New York. They’ll figure out how to monetize it into an asset. Some New Yorker will profit. Last chance to own a piece of the debt! All that’s left of the once great United States. We had a hell of a run, though, right? From wilderness to world leader in a couple hundred years, it’s got to be a record, just like how short our time was on top.
Historians will agree, the United States had a short brutal life that ended in unsurmountable debt and hatred for oneís own brother.
As noted earlier, the western portions of both Pennsylvania and New York will be surrendered, first with the lakeside communities joining the Midwestern US, and then when the poorest regions become Appalachia.
Philadelphia, New York City and their respective suburbs share little with the states that house them. In Harrisburg and Albany they take great pride sticking it to the Big City. Pennsylvania and New York City are like microcosms of the country, where poor people in rural areas complain about how the rich people are paying their bills. Carving the cities out of the states is a logical move and calculated towards the long term survival of both new nations, a house divided and all that. In return, Pennsylvania and New York will each gain control over their portion of New Jersey. New Jersey will cease to exist and no one will miss it. In truth, we could have dispensed with New Jersey a long time ago. Thereís no statewide identity. The border between Pennsylvania and New York will be extended through New Jersey, drawn to ensure the shore towns frequented by both remain in friendly hands. Below the Mason-Dixon line, the southernmost portion of New Jersey will have a choice, join the rest of South Jersey as Pennsylvania, or stay with The Chesapeake.
North of New York the smaller states will never stop arguing about how best to proceed. The people of New England cannot be governed, just ask the King.
Rhode Island probably likes the idea of independence, likewise Vermont; Bernie finally gets to be president. New Hampshire probably argued against the dissolution of the Union. They took great pride in their role as the nationís first Primary but then they ended up doing a terrible job sifting through the candidates, and none of their choices mattered in the end. Retail politics was just a waste of everyoneís time.
Canadians likely will be interested in forming a Federation with New England, uniting around common interests. Such a Federation might expand to include Greenland and points north, The Maritime Communities.
That about covers it.
Oh yeah, almost forgot about Hawaii. I mean, we took it in a shady fashion, can’t we dispense with it in the same way? There has to be some way to cash out.
Maybe Japan would pay, or we could lure the Asian nations in a bidding war. Maybe Dubai puts some money on the table. it’s a great American story, ainít it, buying an island for a song and selling it for all the money in the world?
We donít need to fight a Civil War. The states can be un-united. The key is trust. As long as each is able to pursue their own interests without threatening their neighbor, we should be fine.
And think of the benefits.
It gives us a chance to pay down the debt by dividing it up among more responsible administrators.
You’ll never again have to hear anybody complain about the United States.
No more bickering around the kitchen table.
Everyone has a homeland.
Most borders will remain open to migration, business, tourism. Even divided, we will remain connected.
Businesses will move their assets around accordingly, as they always do, wherever they can get the best labor for the cheapest dollar. Donít worry about business, business will be fine. The only risk to business is Civil War.
Reparations for Native and African Americans, paid.
Smaller democracies are more representative, this is how you save democracy.
Critics might ask, what about our military might, arenít you afraid to live without it?
Certainly, the dispensation of military assets has always been key to any successful separation (see: Minsk). As noted, to surrender oneís arms, as Empires often demand as the price for freedom, leaves any new nation in a position of fealty. We need to avoid that.
The first consideration is that all military assets would need to be withdrawn from New Idaho prior to its separation from the United States. The final border of Idaho will likely be shaped in many places by the existing fencing already erected by the military across vast stretches of this country.
If the people of New Idaho want to roam from place to place and provide their own security, well how is that any different from the Native people who lived there hundreds of years ago?
Still, these roving bands should never be able to get their hands on weapons of mass destruction. In terms of access to military grade hardware, Greater America will be treated like any rogue nation.
The military will be downsizing big time, as once DC no longer exists there goes the Fed and the idea we can just print as much money as we want as long as we spend it on tanks and such, only to find out by the time World War III starts everything we bought is obsolete. Corporate Socialism in service of the Military Industrial Complex will disappear alongside the IRS. No new nation is going to invest in this crap. The focus, naturally, will be elsewhere, increasing quality of life, etc.
It will be interesting to see how much states like Pennsylvania and New York choose to spend on war now that it’s coming out of their own pocket. Fiscal responsibility demands we stop fighting for peace. No endless cash, no endless war. Most of the new nations in the former United States will be eager to form a NATO-like mutual defense organization with California, where an attack against one is an attack against all.
Again, Greater America is likely to balk. These sort of international commitments were exactly what they were trying to get away from when they ruined the United States.
Surrounded on all sides by friendly neighbors, it’s an easy position for New Idaho to take.
Be wary of the Pentagon at this moment.
Once the Fat Brass realize the partyís over, they’ll start planning strategically. They might think they can preserve the United States by more insidious means, through control of media and politicians, with fake elections, using our government as an international arms dealer, spreading chaos and fear at home and abroad, arming despots so thereís always someone left to fight, even facilitating terrorist attacks on home soil; in other words, if you thought the last fifty years were bad, look out.