State or Country?
 

If your home State wanted to become its own country would you support your state or the United States?

I'd support the United States. I admit that I don't know much about civics, but wouldn't it be treasonous (sp?) to do otherwise?

I would support my nation. Do expect any rational member of our society to side with a state, say iowa, that would want to leave? I fail to see the point in this question. But, I have a feeling I am about to hear a response having to do with the Civil War and/ or southern pride.

That's what started the Civil War.

Edited to add, looks like we posted at the same time.

Oh Lordy. That's the last question anyone should ask me. Am I more loyal to my ancestors and the country they used to call their own? Or to the country that has been the only government I've ever known?

If anyone is curious, try and read about the Akaka Bill...the 1893 overthrow of the monarchy..etc.

Many Native Hawaiian groups like Ka Lahui Hawai`i and Iliula'okalani have been trying to establish sovereignty for years now. Group leaders have even testified before the United Nations and the World Court.

Seriously though...who do you side with knowing that the United States stole the land you live on from your own ancestors? :confused:

Well, actually, they did. And, they made them walk from the East Coast to Oklahoma.

Still gotta go with the country, though.

Well, for some of us, that decision's not that easy to make. :(

Not questioning your decision. From a reality standpoint, though, it would be difficult for any of the states to survive without the others and offer the same level of opportunities and services.

Granted, there are a few very small countries that are not bigger than some states -- but your way of life would be a whole lot different.

That might be good or bad.

hey!! leave iowa out of this! they don't want to be their own nation!

southerners - texans to be precise - are better for this question

I'd side with the country staying together. I think 50 states is a nice number and going to 49 would be odd. So would 51.

Well I guess I’ll be the first Texan to answer. To be honest it all depends on the reason for secession. I doubt I would advocate separatism but if an armed contingency force entered Texas I think I would join any rebellion to protect my life, liberty and livelihood.

i htink i woud side with the US, especially since i live on a state border. imagine showing paperwork/going through sutoms to go visit my gandmother who only lives 7 minutes away!

there are some texans who would argue that they already are

I would go with the country, as I can't imagine a sovereign government of Floridians actually being a viable government.

As someone with a HIGH amount of Native American blood, I can't compare the Trail of Tears to the American imperialism in Hawaii. So, it's probably best not to even compare them...

This question is obviously very hard for Hawai'ians and Alaskans. They are the only states with indigenous populations that have remained on their homeland. Also, this generation is really the first one that doesn't know their home as a sovereign nation. Hawaii and Alaska, in my mind, are the only states that have a distinctive native culture--not the whitewashed "American" culture the other 48 have. So, in the case of those two, if I lived there, I would support the state and my people.

Well since you're asking about our home states, I'd have to say no, New York should not be it's own country, we don't have enough money. But if Long Island wanted to be it's own state, I might give that some consideration.

I can't really speak for any other state.

It would be stupid on many levels for Texas to try to become its own state. Financially, militarily, we dotn have the infrastructure, natural resources, etc.m Last time we tried to be our own nation, we got into hella debt, in 1836-1846. So I dont see it working out.

THAT HAVING BEEN SAID...

I am Texan first and an American second and if for some reason I was ever forced to choose, I'd choose Texan without even a moment of hesitation.

I dont know that I could fight and die for my country. I would fight and die for Texas.

Amen, lifesaver.

I think that New York, Texas, and California (and maybe a few more states) could succeed as countries, but I don't want to have another Civil War in order to find out.

Hmmmm....

That made me think a little. Actually, I suspect that some of the so called "rust belt" states might be better equipped -- at least the way things stand now.

The reason is a combination of natural resources, heavy manufacturing and farming -- and the tax base that all of those bring.

Also, many of those states are smaller in size, but big in population density. That makes it easier to support infrastructure. For example, you need fewer number of highway miles, but have more people to pay taxes for them.

That might not be true, but seems logical to me. Especially after living in a big state with low population density where it is difficult to fund big capital projects.

I think that those states (NY, TX, and CA) could be countries because their economies are as big as or bigger than the economies of many industrialized nations. Also, they have large populations for a work force and a lot of land that can be used for farming and raising livestock.

You have raised an interesting point about infrastructure and tax base. :)

California I believe COULD technically become its own country... we have ... everything we need.. great farmland for food... water and other natural resources... several military bases. HOWEVER I would NOT support a decision to leave the United States unless I really believed in the reasons behind the decision to leave.
I really don't think it could ever happen unless it was several states... because no matter HOW much millitary your state has.. the combined military force of the other 49 states would quash any uprising... They have also tried splitting Cali into two different states ...(northern and Southern) but that didn't get very far either because each part of Cali has things the other needs... just like each state brings something to the U.S.

definitely country.....i mean, i love the states i've lived in and visited and all....but what makes them cool is that despite all the differences in culture and weather and landscape, they are all American. this country has its flaws, has its issues...both foreign and domestic....but there's no other place i would rather be than in America......united we stand, divided we fall......

I don't think I'd want NY State as it's own country. NYC is like a different world from upstate NY and I could see NYC seceeding from the new country of NY. Good question though. I'm not a very patriotic person but I rep NYC hard everywhere I go.

I don't believe that NYC could be its own country without upstate... I spent the summer in upstate NY last year.. and spent around 2 weeks in the city... there's no way one could get along with out the other... isn't there only 1 gas station on the whole island of Manhattan ?? there would be no food either if the other states didn't help.. and upstate wouldn't have the population or money to do much of anything...

I'm surprised that many assume the deviant state would need to protect itself vs military punishment. Obviously this is hypothetical, but i really doubt there would be tactical nuclear strikes on Dallas, if for whatever reason Texas wanted sovereignty. And what level of sovereignty are you proposing? This coming from a Canadian, where several regions have openly debated the affects and costs of breaking away from the rest of the country.

I'd support the U.S. Virginia is nothing but morons and hypocrites. And racists.

i love ny and all, but i support my country 100%

i can only think of superficial reasons of why a state would seceed

It would be almost impossible for a state to leave the Union at this point in time. Travel, commerce, government, budgets, infrastructure, education -- really almost everything necessary for government to exist -- are just too intertwined.

And, I agree, military matters really aren't relavent. There is no state in a position to win a war. It costs too much.

Hi everyone,


If ever there was a candidate for a state being it's own country, I'd bet on the Republic of California.


California now has the 5th largest economy in the world. Yes, 5th...see for yourself: http://commerce.ca.gov/state/ttca/ttca_homepage.jsp


On top of that, California produces more than half of the nation's fruits, vegtables and nuts using only 3% of the nation's farmland. http://www.cfbf.com/info/agfacts.aspx


Of course we also have massive tourism, computer and entertainment industries.

We also have possession of most of the western shore.


However, would it ever happen? Probably not. California is happy to be a part of the US family. If for some reason, California and the US had a falling out, it wouldn't be pretty. There is NO WAY the US would stand by and let California be it's own country. The federal government would not want to lose all that produce, income and coastline. No way. There *would* be military action by the federal government.


Sigh....but who would *I* side with? Ack. I don't even want to think about it. :( California is what I know and love. Yet I am very proud to be a US citizen. I suppose that I would want to stay a part of the USA unless there was some completely heinous thing the federal government was trying to pull.


.....Kelly :)

They don’t call it unconventional warfare for nothing.

AMEN NAVANE WELL SAID !! CALIFORNIA LOVE !!!!
:D

what about the shortage of electricity?

There is no more Electricity problem in California. I personally never even had my power turned off or anything during that time... I know people who did but it was only for 5-10 minutes. In my opinion a small price to pay for living in the BEST STATE EVER :D