I wasn't planning to write another diary anytime soon, but I keep thinking about the polls that suggest the South is out of touch from the rest of the USA. Really not on the same wavelength these days. And it makes me curious.
So I need you all to educate me as to why it would be so horrible if the South (and/or Texas) voted to secede from the union. If they want to get away from us, why not just let them?
I think it might be a good thing. They could give their citizens six months' warning or something, so the progressives would have a chance to move to other states if they wanted (or Republicans from other states could move in). They'd end up with an even higher concentration of conservatives. And then, after a year or two, wouldn't they realize how much they miss us? And need us?
Then, if we felt like it, we could accept them back. Maybe they would learn a thing or two in the meantime.
I expect a few of you will say that this negates half the purpose of the Civil War. That we're a cohesive union and should stay that way. But we didn't always have 50 states. We gained a few since the Civil War, we can afford to lose a few. Would that be so terrible?
Heck, when GWB was amazingly re-elected, I was living in the East Bay and I thought California should secede. The rest of the country was obviously so nutty, I figured we'd be better off on our own. We'd have all the money from Hollywood, Silicon Valley, the wine industry, the marijuana industry (even if it's not taxed), agriculture, etc. We'd be totally set.
Yeah, I know, California's budget deficit is really scary right now, and it's probably a good thing it's not a sovereign nation. A lot can change in four years. But can you really imagine the South improving its attitude about gay marriage, racial equality, religious freedom, abortion rights, etc. anytime soon?
Okay, let's hear it. I'm sure there are some good arguments for wanting to keep the South around. No doubt the liberals who currently live there wouldn't want to give up their jobs & homes and move away, just so they could stay in the United States. Especially if it meant leaving behind other family members. But please don't accuse me of hating Texas and the South-- I don't. In fact, half my relatives live in Texas. I just think it might be nicer if they could govern themselves, and the rest of the country wouldn't have to deal with so much conservative obstructionism.