Newsweek is reporting that Texas Republicans have included a referendum on Texas seceding from the United States in their party platform. In the mad rush to conquer the farthest reaches of the hard right, this is what now qualifies as patriotism.
I don’t know how successful this referendum would be. But if I assume they pulled it off what would happen? We fought a bitter Civil War to put that idea to rest. States cannot unilaterally leave the union. But given the behavior of the Governor and the Secretary of State, would you be tempted to let them go? If they did, what would follow?
First, facilities owned by the federal government would have to be repatriated . The Dallas FederaL Reserve bank would have to go, along with access to the central banking system. Corporate banks would have to repatriate as well or they would have to rely entirely on local deposits. Texas would have to create their own currency.
Dozens of military facilities would have to be shuttered and vital equipment like aircraft would have to be moved to other bases. Texas veterans would lose access to the VA. Plus all the contractors who service these facilities would have to choose sides as well.
The Johnson Space Center would have to relocate. All those scientists and engineers would have to follow their jobs.
Finally all Tax transfers from the federal government to the State would cease. Would Texas retirees continue to get Social Security checks?
In short, leaving the Union would be a monumentally stupid thing to do. Texas Republicans are just the folks to do it.