How would the US flag change if more states were added?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I was going to pose this question after reading this recent GQ thread regarding some people’s misconception that there are 52 states in the U.S. Since it would have been a hijack, and that it doesn’t seek out a factual answer, I decided to start a new thread and post it here.

Right now we have a nice, even 50 states (I know some “states” are actually commonwealths, see thread linked above for details). For the sake of this thread, we’ll leave it at 50.

What I am wondering is what do you think the U.S. flag would look like in terms of the arrangement of its stars to represent any new states that are added? Right now, we have a nice, even symmetrical layout that looks like this:



* * * * * *
 * * * * *
* * * * * *
 * * * * *
* * * * * *
 * * * * *
* * * * * *
 * * * * *
* * * * * *

How would a 51st star be placed so that the continuity isn’t wildly disrupted? We could have seven stars in the center row instead of the six that are there now, or we could have a row of 9 stars, followed by 8 stars, and then repeat this pattern two more times. What about 52 stars? Maybe a 7 stars/6 stars x 4 configuration would work.

2

According to Unca Cecil 6 rows alternating 8 and 9 and for 52 8 rows alternating 7 and 6. For 53, eight and 7. Of course, 54 is 9 x 6, 55 could be 10 alternating columns of 5 and 6. 56 is 7 x 8. 57 could be 6 alternating 9 and 10. That’s got us covered for a while.

[fixed coding]

3

So are you considering making Britain a state then?
:mad:

egg

4

EggNogg: No, just Canada.

:smiley:

5

It would look something like this.

6

Are we planning on adding a state soon? The only possibity that I see is Puerto Rico, and I don’t think that is going to happen. Unless Quebec decides to seced and the US snaps up BC :smiley:

7

If we did get Canada, each of its provinces would become a state, no? How cool would that be!

8

You seem to be assuming Canadians would have no choice inthe matter! With or without Quebec they might still prefer independence.

9

Because life in the US is nothing but oppression and hardship…
:slight_smile:

10

Munch: And buffets. Don’t forget the buffets.

:smiley:

(Shrubs in office and buffets that stretch as far as the eye can see!)

11

If Quebec secedes, I’d expect we’d get the maritime provinces (PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and possibly Newfoundland) because geographically they’d be separated from the rest of Canada. I wouldn’t mind if we took Alberta too. I’m all for more places with oil in the US.

12

I say again, don’t the Canadians get any choice in the matter? Why do you think they WANT to be part of the USA?

13

If there was an attempt by the U.S. to forcibly annex Canada, I would do my damndest to turn Montreal into the 21st-century equivalent of Ho Chi Min City.

I love the American cousins, I really do, but paws off.

Aside for Puerto Rico, there is a potential 51st in the District of Columbia.

14

As per the maritime provinces I was presuming they’d WANT to join considering the economic benefits of being adjacent to the majority of the population of the country you’re in. As for Alberta, I was being facetious. Sorry if you didn’t realize I was joking.

15

I don’t think you can assume any such thing. Why do you think they would want to give up their own national identity and be absorbed into another country? Would YOU be willing to do that? Some things are more important than marginal financial gain.

16

Isn’t the whole point of the US’s capital being a district rather than a state so no state could claim to house the capital? I don’t ever see DC becoming a state. France would sooner become a US state :smiley:

17

I assumed you’d meant to annex Afghanistan.

18

Little did I know I was going up against Canada’s greatest defender from England. Say the Maritime provinces remained part of Canada. From what I know, their economies are very weak and are dependant on outside markets. Would they rather be attached to markets that are hundreds of miles away, separated by another country, or a contiguous, closer one with money that has greater value? Of course they could decided it’s best for their culture if they stay with Canada, but they’d risk financial ruin. There are also adminitrative and defense issues with having around 2 million of your people separated from you by another country. Sure, they could remain Canadian, but is that really worth all the risks?

19

A casual google for “district columbia statehood” finds lots of people who have serious and legally valid arguments for statehood. One of their major concerns is that DC has a larger population (not counting the 1.2 million who commute in every day) than three states (AK, VT and WY) but only one nonvoting delegate to the House and no rep in the Senate. Even the locally-elected officials rule at the sufferance of Congress. There is a fairly basic “taxation without representation” issue at stake. Having visited DC and seen how run-down and decrepit it is, the citizens really need an effective local government. Then again, these are the same people who re-elected Marion Barry.

If anyone gets statehood, I’d bet on DC before Puerto Rico, but people like round numbers and there is a psychological barrier to breaking an even 50.

20

One possible solution to the DC mess would be to make it a part of Maryland. It would vote for Senators in Maryland, and would have a Congressional District that would remain untouched in redistricting. For state legislative races no districts would be allowed to include part of DC or any outlying areas of Maryland. I forget exactly when and where I saw this proposal, but I think it’s a better alternative than granting it statehood.