In 2004, it set my teeth on edge whenever I heard something along the lines of, "If Bush gets re-elected, I'm moving to Canada!" Because you knew that person was not going anywhere*. It was an empty threat made (mostly) by people who weren't interested enough to get active in politics, but were angry dammit.
That was nothing compared to the non-stop cowardly threats we're getting from Republicans and Libertarian/Republicans.
First (actually, there were probably others before, but who cares?) there were all the Going Galt threats. People so full of their own sense of self-worth, they were actually claiming that if they withdrew from society, it would hurt the rest of us more than it would hurt them.
Then calls for a glorious, but peaceful, revolution. Whatever the hell that was supposed to mean. I guess that a minority, through sheer force of passionate will and no coherent agenda, could turn the tides of history. Because they are so strong and important and stuff.
Then calls for secession. Nothing against the Great State of Texas -- it would be equally stupid if the Governor of New York or California barfed that up -- but this isn't the 19th century. I'd think a secession would hurt the people of Texas more than it would the rest of the U.S. Not that we'll ever find out, because it's just an incredibly stupid threat by an incredibly stupid person.
And now we get to watch another self-important Libertarian/Republican all but thoughtfully stroking his chin while discussing how secession is a totally reasonable option to be discussed, and how we don't talk about secession enough these days, making comparisons to the American Revolution, etc.
The American Revolution was over serious grievances, injustices real and perceived. So was the Civil War. Nothing that is happening today justifies secession in any way, shape or form. Nothing today justifies even the remotest possibility of considering the subject of secession. This is just taking Going Galt to a whole new level of stupid.
Hey, Republicans? Your leaders failed you, and us. Deal with it. Deal with them, why don't you? While you've been running around holding razor blades over your wrists telling us how sorry we'll all be and how we don't appreciate you, you may not have noticed that beloved GOP figures such as Newt Gingrich and Tom Delay are beginning to stage comebacks. You guys really want that? I know I do! Just think, a whole new generation of voters have yet to be introduced to, and repulsed by, Newt Gingrich.
Stop whining and acting insulted and threatening to take the ball and go home because the rest of the country doesn't want to play by your rules anymore. It's embarrassing. And everyone knows you're not going to go through with it, anyway.
Ah, that felt good.
* If you're reading this, and are currently residing in Canada because of the 2004 election, I apologize. And you can come back now.