It may be time for Americans to consider splitting up the UNITED States of America

In My Humble Opinion
1

As a liberal progressive Canadian , the past year has been very worrisome for me as I have watched the political drama unfolding in America.

I no longer have any faith in America to lead the world into a better future.

The problem is what the Republican party has become and the strangle hold it has on federal power far beyond what it should be entitled to thanks to the popularity of the religious right in the numerous small red states and to the electoral college and the equal representation of states large or small in the senate.

Add to that the gerrymandering that has taken place in Republican controlled states which will entrench the Republicans and their policies forever.

The other problem is the unlimited power of the rich to influence elections to their own benefit since there are really no apparent restrictions on political financial contribution.

Add to that, is the alliance of racists, right wing Christians, and anyone who just doesn’t believe that disadvantaged citizens deserve any of their taxes to help .

It has been difficult to watch a lifetime of social accomplishments that generally have lagged behind the rest of the free world suddenly get yanked by a triple Republican government putting millions of Americans in jeopardy. I can’t see the Democrats ever recover all branches of government to reverse their gains.

And it is not over yet. Blue states that have adopted progressive policies will see an influx of disadvantaged citizens requiring support as the red states ignore them. These blue states may no longer be able to afford progressive policies.

The religious right is not going away. They are the social fabric of the red states. They do not feel comfortable with homosexuality as it is condemned by the bible which is used as the basis of their identity and moral superiority.

They are not going to stop opposing abortion. That will be a political football until Roe vs Wade is reversed.

Which brings me to my point.

I can’t help but notice that the more progressive states are all on the coasts. Wouldn’t it be favourable to break up the country keeping the coastal states except for south east ? Certainly would lower the temperature of politics in both regions,

2

Considered. Rejected.
In 4 months we get to vote in primaries. In 10 months, in midterm elections. In 34 months there’s another presidential election. After all that, no telling what this country looks like. Also, I believe that not breaking up in the past has stood this country well in the long run.

3

Maybe we could all just move to Canada. Isn’t that the other suggestion thrown out there when someone doesn’t like the election results?

4

Even better idea is to annex Canada. It would make one hell of a progressive blue state and it would be sure to tip the national elections to the progressive side for years to come.

5

I sincerely believe that Civil War II is coming. I’m putting the odds of bloodshed before January 20, 2020, at 90%. In some ways the first “shots,” so to speak, have already been fired, in Charlottesville in August.

It’s not going to be Coastal vs. Flyover States. It’s going to be urban vs. rural, which will make for a much more complicated and much messier kerfuffle. Also, there aren’t two opposing forces here, like in Civil War I - more like thousands. Every little Western militia, urban gang, hate group, what-have-you that is armed and pissed off is going to get it on it.

6

All Canada could give you in the senate is 2 senators.

7

Right now, two more senators would be great.

8

Why should that be our (The United States’) job?

I think you give the “religious right” far too much credit and power.

Both parties do that when they are in power.

The rich did their best to influence the last election on behalf of Hillary Clinton, whose donations far outstripped the campaign chest of Trump. Hillary had the benefit of the rich people in Hollywood, the music industry, the media, Big Pharma, the Trial Lawyers, and numerous other industries. She failed nonetheless.

Does that include the many voters who voted for Obama, but switched their vote to Trump in this election?

Is the problem that there are too few Democrats, or that many of them were naive and too easily tricked by Trump?

Let’s hope you’re right.

Many of those millions of America are benefitting from a now-skyrocketing economy, a tax plan that will let them keep more of what they worked for, and improved employment - including among black Americans, who have the best employment percentage in decades now.

And, likely, an influx of very wealthy, very advantaged Democrats who can no longer afford to subsidize the ridiculous policies of Blue cities and states through deducting their state taxes on their federal returns. Luckliy for them, the influx of illegal aliens will boost their economies enormously and help to take up the slack for the fleeing Democrat millionaires.

No. Why should they?

Have you actually lived in a Red state? You may be surprised to learn that they are not heterogenous.

Lots of religious people don’t feel comfortable with the idea of homosexual actions, but still see gay men and women as fellow children of God. Unless you want to begin restricting freedom of thoughts with which you don’t agree, it’s probably best to let people think as they choose.

Again, nor should they. America and Canada (along with such bastions of human freedom as China, North Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar) are among the very few members of the world community that allow elective abortions after 20 months, a practice that most European nations look upon as barbaric. Public opinion on the morality of abortion has been swinging gradually away from the unrestricted practice of abortion over the last few decades, especially among the young, and that is a good thing. Even atheists like George Orwell and Christopher Hitchens saw abortion as an assault on the dignity of humanity. You need not be religious to oppose it

I can’t help but notice that you have large areas of open spaces and would probably welcome the influx of right-minded Blue staters to improve your economy. Although many of our progressive celebrities frequently threaten to emigrate to Canada during our elections, almost none of them do for some reason. It would be far more efficient and productive for both of our economies if you create some sort of tax shelter to encourage them to migrate.

9

I think we’d be better off if we invaded Canada and sent all the loyalists back to England.

10

Not if you do it right. Admit Canada as 11 new states. That’s 22 new Senators and what, 11 new Representatives?

11

There’s been interest on the west coast for a Cascadia nation (CA, OR, WA), but it’s just noise.

12

it was one presidential election ferchrissakes. Every time the presidency or balance of Congress changes party, someone starts wailing how it’s the end of the world as we know it.

Oh, and it would be considered pretty crass for me to go to a Canadian message board (or one based in/geared around any other country) and post a bunch of screeds about how they should do things. So why does everyone else think they have free reign to talk down to us about how things are here?

13

It is about more than one election, it is about having two demographics that are unable to see eye to eye anymore, and so demonize their opponents in such a way to hurt themselves, as long as it hurts their enemies, rather than working together for common goals and compromising on divisive issues. This split has been in the making for much longer than since the last election. The last election was just a symptom of our country’s dysfunctionality.

Oh, and do you really think that the US doesn’t go around to other countries, telling them how to run their government? Not sure that we have any sort of moral high ground on that complaint.

14

So you’re cool with gerrymandering as long as it benefits your political views?

15

When you say “The US goes around…” You’re talking about the US government. Unless the OP is Canadian government official acting in that capacity your contention is meaningless and way off the mark.

16

I’ve paid attention to elections since Kennedy, but never have I ever felt hopelessness.

Because I do have free reign subject to board moderation . Furthermore, I regard this message board as an international forum, and like it or not the subject of how America governs itself for its people is as fair game as if we were discussing Russian politics.

17

But that’s not what you did was it? What you did was to suggest that we Americans should “split up the UNITED States of America”.

Did you honestly expect ‘agreement’ on that?

ETA: I’ll give you the last word on this bit of foolishness.

18

Nah, I’m talking about the citizens of the US, too.

Are you really making the claim that US citizens never criticize the way that other countries run their own affairs?

19

Are you suggesting that we don’t have the right to flip the finger at people from other countries that do criticize us like they do when we criticize them?

Are are an apologist?

20

Remind us again where you would draw the lines? :wink:

Link This is for the OP, too.