Secessionists meeting in Tennessee

Originally posted by SpeakerofTruth
Well, in order for a mass secession from the union to happen, as far as the South is concerned, it would take a springboard. Something would have to happen to cause such an action. I can tell you that if there were ever an appeal of the second amendment, you can almost bet that states like Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama would draw up secession papers with the quickness.

You COULD argue that amnesty of illegal immigrants might be a "springboard". If the federal government does agree on a plan to introduce amnesty, I'd bet many States in the South will be spitting blood.

I think you will find that to be quite the opposite. You see we should add Mexico as another state you know? As well as PR, and maybe Cuba too after Fidel is out of the picture, that is if we do not have to go at it with Venezuela for it.

the key to a good community is a United Community. There is plenty of space on the flag for more stars.

Puerto Rico is already the most likely candidate for the 51st state. I would not be surprised if the next referendum is a majority vote for statehood vs territory/commonwealth. The last one in 1998 was like 48% for statehood, 49% for the status quo (remain a US territory with commonwealth status) and 3% for independence.

Originally posted by grover
In the long term view of things no nation, no civilization is a permanent construct west point.

Define "long term", if you mean forever then the answer is no of course not. However there are several nations which have existed in on form or another for centuries (much longer than our young nation). Many of those nations still remain relevant in today's modern world. Sure inevitability the entity known today as the United States of America will change and one day perhaps cease to exist as we know it, we simply don't know for sure how the future will play out. No one could have possibly known with any degree of certainty back in 1776 that in 200 years time we would be one of the most powerful countries to have ever existed. However, personally speaking of course, I do not think that our time is up, not even close…

Anyway this discussion is about the current situation as it pertains to secession in our country. As I pointed out the answer is no, both legally and practically. The federal government, and this nation as a whole would never allow it, even if it were legally possible, which it's not. I leave you with the words of one of my personal idols, Andrew Jackson (7th President of the United States of America).

"There is nothing that I shudder at more than the idea of a separation of the Union. Should such an event ever happen, which I fervently pray God to avert, from that date I view our liberty gone…"

"Without union our independence and liberty would never have been achieved; without union they never can be maintained."

"Our Federal Union: It must be preserved!"

In response to South Carolina's nullification threat, Congress passed a "Force Bill" in 1833, and Jackson vowed to send troops to South Carolina in order to enforce the laws. In December 1832, he issued a resounding proclamation against the "nullifiers," stating that he considered "the power to annul a law of the United States, assumed by one State, incompatible with the existence of the Union, contradicted expressly by the letter of the Constitution, unauthorized by its spirit, inconsistent with every principle on which it was founded, and destructive of the great object for which it was formed." South Carolina, the President declared, stood on "the brink of insurrection and treason," and he appealed to the people of the state to reassert their allegiance to that Union for which their ancestors had fought. Jackson also denied the right of secession: "The Constitution... forms a government not a league.... To say that any State may at pleasure secede from the Union is to say that the United States is not a nation."

The crisis was resolved when Jackson sent warships to Charleston, South Carolina, and enforced Congress acts through the Force Bill.

Source

Is this what we want? Another Nullification Crisis? The precedent was started by Jackson and finally established by Lincoln. It is a dead issue, it will never happen, or be allowed to happen, and that is the way it should always be...

reply to post by WestPoint23


Personally I can't think of many nations other than say China that has had the same borders more than a couple hundred years. Just look at the redrawing of the maps that took place in the 20th century. Nations are not static or monolithic structures. Our borders will change, it is just a question of when and where and who is doing the changing.

Originally posted by Knightshadowz
Not everyone wants the same things out of life, and not everyone wants to be a part of the (forced) Union. It wasnt JUST about slavery. It was about men 600+ miles away telling people how to live, and they didnt much appreciate outside influences sapping their money from the state treasuries to do what the states themselves could just have easily done themselves.

I never under stood that whole argument about it being about states rights and not about slavery. Once the south lost their slaves they had no reason to be a separate country. I personally don't think the union should have accepted us back. Still should have freed the slaves though. Another thing i don't understand is why they let us continue to fly confederate flags. If it stands for anything it stands for an evil slave owning nation. It is also the most unpatriotic thing to do in America.

Back to the topic at hand, I don't believe succession would solve that much. I'd rather succeed from Alabama before America. But i also don't think some one in washington should have much control at all over the people in other states. I think America should be more of an alliance, not a government.

But in the end no matter what happens thers still going to be people so its still gona suck.

A bigger America, is a better America. Let us all rejoice in our unity, and cast out these conflicting thoughts. We need to talk about how we will add new states so that even more citizens may be able to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities we have now. There are just too many ways to democratically get things changed in our current form.