# Why the hostility towards states that want to secede? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 16, 2012, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174 "2012-11-16T10:33:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/121 "2012-11-16T16:29:27Z")
Maybe the audience would be more receptive to the idea of “secession = more freedom” if the history of secession and, later, “states rights” here in the US wasn’t all about preserving slavery or preserving Jim Crow or fringe groups of tax protesting cranks declaring themselves “sovereign citizens” and such. Secession here has, basically, always been about evil or stupid or crazy or all three. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/122 "2012-11-16T16:33:04Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > That’s absurd. Mexico has a shitload of oil, why doesn’t the US just invade them and take it? > > And people are getting away from the reason that I would POTENTIALLY embrace a state that chooses to secede: I want economic and social freedom. Your definition of freedom is weird- especially considering that the vast majority of people in all of these states don’t appear to have any interest in secession. > [@](#): > > You all can convince yourselves otherwise, but this country is moving away from each of those things. Nope. No “freedoms” lost in the last several decades. Several “freedoms” granted or expanded. > [@](#): > > You all have also proven what I suspected, but was afraid of recognizing: most Americans don’t actually support freedom, at least in its true form. No True Scotsman fallacy. Your brand of freedom is pretty different then mine, apparently. > [@](#): > > They are happy to waive around tiny American flags and yell the word “freedom” aloud, but they’re terrified of the real thing. No, you are. > [@](#): > > People that likely consider themselves to be liberal continue to use this “LOLREPUBLICAN” label for me instead of actually addressing the things that I’m claiming is worth seceding over: true freedom, and not the buzzword. LOL guy with a distorted understanding of “true freedom”. Just kidding. Your ideal society sounds like an unpleasant, uncharitable place full of misery. That’s why I don’t support it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/123 "2012-11-16T16:33:23Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > That’s absurd. Mexico has a shitload of oil, why doesn’t the US just invade them and take it? > > And people are getting away from the reason that I would POTENTIALLY embrace a state that chooses to secede: I want economic and social freedom. You all can convince yourselves otherwise, but this country is moving away from each of those things. You all have also proven what I suspected, but was afraid of recognizing: most Americans don’t actually support freedom, at least in its true form. They are happy to waive around tiny American flags and yell the word “freedom” aloud, but they’re terrified of the real thing. One person on this forum said that they would suit up and fight against my state if it PEACEFULLY sought such things. A state that would try to separate from a country that has wasted thousands of soldiers lives fighting bullshit wars that are nothing more than unnecessary nation building operations. The people on this site act as if simply questioning the infallible Uncle Sam is no better than spitting in his face. The thread has gotten a bit off of the path I intended it to take, but I’ve learned everything I intended to, and it scares the shit out of me. People that likely consider themselves to be liberal continue to use this “LOLREPUBLICAN” label for me instead of actually addressing the things that I’m claiming is worth seceding over: true freedom, and not the buzzword. my rebuttal would be the very fact you are free to rant on as you have about such treasonous actions without fear of reprisal is a fairly solid indication we live in a pretty free country. you seem to be mixing the concepts of freedom and absolute unreliance on anyone-or-thing else in any capacity. we have a goddamn heap of freedom in this nation, but we have a huge overlapping set of awesome that requires cooperation. you want absolute freedom, go dig water wells in the dessert and live like The Hills Have Eyes. go off the grid. remove yourself from the equation. the problem isn’t a lack of freedom, it’s a sense of entitlement to American comforts but a cry baby attitude about cooperation to have those things. what you’re talking about has nothing to do with _freedom_. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/124 "2012-11-16T16:36:44Z")
I’m curious to know why you seem to think Oil will be the foundation of Gumbostan’s economy. The only reason that Saudi Arabia and Russia and other nations have managed to garner a great deal of wealth from the oil they own is by having it drilled and processed by a state owned business. This means that profit from selling that oil on the open market goes right into the state coffers. I don’t think you can call yourself a Libertarian if you think that the government should own the means of production… I also don’t think you have thought this through very much. Every federal dollar spent in LA (or your SEC) would suddenly disappear. Plus, you would have to be paying, probably substantially, for things like military bases that happen to be there. The US government is not going to just hand over the land and infrastructure for nothing. In addition to this, they would have to suddenly create their own governmental infrastructure to administer things. This costs money. And as many have pointed out here, LA at least (and probably your original SEC) they receive more in FedGov funding than they pay in taxes. How will they be a viable state with the framework of a 3rd world country in place, economy wise? In addition, you seem to think that these nations, were they to secede, would become some sort of Libertopia. Given how the GOP have run things the last 12 years, I am pretty sure what we would rapidly see would be a Fundamentalist Christian version of Egypt, with the rich being VERY rich and holding all the cards, and the hoi poloi being screwed. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/125 "2012-11-16T16:41:21Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > And we’d find someone else to buy it. And what of it? This would not affect the non-seceding states in any meaningful way. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/126 "2012-11-16T16:41:50Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > In 2005, Louisiana citizens and corporations paid almost $21B in federal taxes and received more than $39B in federal spending. > And your share of the national debt (based on population) is $238B. Your $130M surplus exists solely because of federal subsidies. And what did we pay in federal taxes? How much did we contribute to this country considering that we get absolutely fucked in our oil production deal? Do you think that it’s reasonable to give us the $238B bill if we don’t actually owe that much? If you go out for dinner with a group of 5 and get a salad while everyone else gets filet mignon, are you cool with dividing the bill by 5 and paying it? > [@](#): > > The FedGov also employs about 50,000 people in Louisiana. Can’t have that, so you’ll have to find them other jobs or lose that tax base (and I’m betting that fed jobs pay much better than the median income in LA). OH NO, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITHOUT OVERPAID FEDERAL WORKERS!?!?! Are you completely oblivious to the fact that, if LA were to secede, that we wouldn’t be paying federal taxes anymore? > [@](#): > > The fed considers waters within 200 miles of the coast to be exclusive territory, but an independent LA is out of luck - your 200 mile territory is almost entirely within the 200 mile limits of MS and TX, and we’re not ceding that. Tough luck. Oh, and the oil industry provides about 17% of LA’s jobs, so your employment numbers are going to take a hit while you shift your economy into something feasible. Look at this thread again. I’ve never once implied that LA seceding alone would work. It would all have to start with TX, and if they did it, it would spread east to at least Alabama. Florida would be iffy, but I included them in all scenarios. So your 200 mile point would be moot. > [@](#): > > Tourism’s gonna take a hit, with customs and everything. Who said anything about customs? And it’s not like northerners never visit Canada, or south westerners never visit Mexico. > [@](#): > > You can forget New Orleans as a convention city - organizers aren’t going to want to add international stuff to the list of everything they already deal with. There may not be any “stuff” to deal with, at least nothing significant. > [@](#): > > And you can bluster all you want about shutting down the Mississippi I didn’t bluster about except when others were essentially threatening LA. I would not support shutting down the river to free trade, just as I don’t currently support embargoes on Cuba or Iran. What you’re overlooking in all of this is the entire point of the secession (in my hypothetical situation): economic/social freedom. Take all of the preconceptions that you have, and now add this hypothetical: the entire “United States of the South Eastern Conference” having NO corporate taxes (as opposed to the 15-35% federal corporate tax levels + whatever the state adds on to that), LA having no drug laws (a legit Hamsterdam), plus everything else New Orleans has to offer currently. Gay marriage is also allowed. I know the entire scenario is iffy, but NOLA is a very laissez-faire city (drugs/gay marriage) and the USotSEC would certainly be a fiscally conservative conglomerate. ---
**Author:** ![James52637](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/439d5e/32.png) [@James52637](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James52637)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/127 "2012-11-16T16:44:09Z")
> [@IClaudius](#): > > Because it’s a totally ridiculous tantrum brought on by a childish sense of pique from team Republican losing the election, and the general background nonsense emanating from the conservative entertainment complex which has convinced a lot of credulous people they are truly subject to tyranny. > > _ **It would be equally stupid for pure economic reasons** _, but the hysteria and disinformation driving it makes it ludicrous. WRONG! Absolutely incorrect! It would be incredibly intelligent! I live in Chicago, but I still feel as if it would be a fantastic idea for those states to secede (Given they take their share of national debt). ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/128 "2012-11-16T16:53:30Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > How do you figure we’re moving away from social freedom? Last week, there were four electoral victories for gay marriage and two states legalized recreational marijuana use. It might just be me, but that seems like increasing social freedom. That’s fantastic. Before I make my point on the issue, do you support those states’ decisions to legalize gay marriage and recreational marijuana? ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/129 "2012-11-16T16:57:35Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > And what did we pay in federal taxes? How much did we contribute to this country considering that we get absolutely fucked in our oil production deal? Do you think that it’s reasonable to give us the $238B bill if we don’t actually owe that much? If you go out for dinner with a group of 5 and get a salad while everyone else gets filet mignon, are you cool with dividing the bill by 5 and paying it? > > OH NO, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITHOUT OVERPAID FEDERAL WORKERS!?!?! Are you completely oblivious to the fact that, if LA were to secede, that we wouldn’t be paying federal taxes anymore? > > Look at this thread again. I’ve never once implied that LA seceding alone would work. It would all have to start with TX, and if they did it, it would spread east to at least Alabama. Florida would be iffy, but I included them in all scenarios. So your 200 mile point would be moot. > > Who said anything about customs? And it’s not like northerners never visit Canada, or south westerners never visit Mexico. > > There may not be any “stuff” to deal with, at least nothing significant. > > I didn’t bluster about except when others were essentially threatening LA. I would not support shutting down the river to free trade, just as I don’t currently support embargoes on Cuba or Iran. > What you’re overlooking in all of this is the entire point of the secession (in my hypothetical situation): economic/social freedom. Take all of the preconceptions that you have, and now add this hypothetical: the entire “United States of the South Eastern Conference” having NO corporate taxes (as opposed to the 15-35% federal corporate tax levels + whatever the state adds on to that), LA having no drug laws (a legit Hamsterdam), plus everything else New Orleans has to offer currently. Gay marriage is also allowed. I know the entire scenario is iffy, but NOLA is a very laissez-faire city (drugs/gay marriage) and the USotSEC would certainly be a fiscally conservative conglomerate. Those 50,000 federal "moochers: are your own citizens. They are now out of work. Not paying federal taxes isn’t going to take care of those lost jobs. Your corporations pay no taxes - so who’s going to pay for their “protection” from crime and enemies abroad? The workers? Your rants and other like yours boil down to “I want to be the boss - what’s mine is mine - screw everyone else if they don’t have it must be their own fault”. You guys sing this tune until something unexpected befalls you - then you’ll be looking for help, like normal human beings. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/130 "2012-11-16T16:58:55Z")
Here’s a revealing exchange: > [@BabaBooey](#): > > > [@Enginerd](#): > > > > In 2005, Louisiana citizens and corporations paid almost $21B in federal taxes > > And what did we pay in federal taxes? ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/131 "2012-11-16T17:02:32Z")
> [@Dr.Colossus](#): > > my rebuttal would be the very fact you are free to rant on as you have about such treasonous actions without fear of reprisal is a fairly solid indication we live in a pretty free country. What if my hypothetical new country not only allowed said free speech, but allowed even MORE personal freedom? > [@](#): > > you seem to be mixing the concepts of freedom and absolute unreliance on anyone-or-thing else in any capacity. Huh? How does ending the war on drugs, ending the war in the ME, drastically lowering taxes, drastically cutting entitlements (say, raising the SS 3 or 4 years, delivering basic food needs to the under privileged as opposed food stamps, having those collecting unemployment work clean-up type jobs), and allowing true social freedom (no blue laws, gay marriage/adoption allowed, pro-choice, etc…) = “unreliance”? > [@](#): > > the problem isn’t a lack of freedom, it’s a sense of entitlement to American comforts but a cry baby attitude about cooperation to have those things. Huh? Are you saying that my desire to be left alone = entitlement? > [@](#): > > what you’re talking about has nothing to do with _freedom_. Everything I’ve mentioned is exactly what freedom is about. Too many politicians and Americans use it as a fucking buzzword without considering the benefits/downsides of true freedom. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/132 "2012-11-16T17:09:13Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Those 50,000 federal "moochers: are your own citizens. They are now out of work. Not paying federal taxes isn’t going to take care of those lost jobs. I didn’t realize that government jobs were the only kind of jobs out there. I suspect that you believe politicians when they say that they “created” jobs, amiright? > [@](#): > > Your corporations pay no taxes - so who’s going to pay for their “protection” from crime and enemies abroad? The workers? And the employers, yes. I support the fair tax. > [@](#): > > Your rants and other like yours boil down to "I want to be the boss Wanting to be left alone != wanting to be “the boss”. > [@](#): > > - what’s mine is mine - screw everyone else if they don’t have it must be their own fault". Not really. I have no problem with tax dollars going towards helping those in tough situations, so long as those people receiving said benefits dedicate themselves towards getting out of the tough situation. Do you disagree that there is quite a bit of entitlement abuse? > [@](#): > > You guys sing this tune until something unexpected befalls you - then you’ll be looking for help, like normal human beings. I would gladly take a more reasonable tax rate if it meant never getting any entitlement money from the government, although, as I already said, I’m not 100% against entitlements so long as the person is trying to help themselves. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/133 "2012-11-16T17:10:22Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > Everything I’ve mentioned is exactly what freedom is about. Sez you. I’m a Louisiana boy, a proud LSU alumni, and I’d be terrified to live in the Nation of Louisiana- what makes you think they’d allow abortion to be legal? Or homosexuality? Or keep religion and state separate? From my understanding of Louisiana’s (and neighboring states’) electorate, these freedoms would be very much in doubt. But you’re SURE you know what freedom is all about. Let me ask you this- what, personally, have you experienced with regards to loss of freedom? ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/134 "2012-11-16T17:12:16Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Here’s a revealing exchange: I fucked up. Sorry. The claim that LA’s share is $238B based on population is still a bullshit way of determining what we would “owe.” And the whole thing is moot as, as I’ve said before, I never once claimed LA would be alone in seceding. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/135 "2012-11-16T17:15:24Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > I didn’t realize that government jobs were the only kind of jobs out there. I suspect that you believe politicians when they say that they “created” jobs, amiright? > > And the employers, yes. I support the fair tax. > > Wanting to be left alone != wanting to be “the boss”. > > Not really. I have no problem with tax dollars going towards helping those in tough situations, so long as those people receiving said benefits dedicate themselves towards getting out of the tough situation. Do you disagree that there is quite a bit of entitlement abuse? > > I would gladly take a more reasonable tax rate if it meant never getting any entitlement money from the government, although, as I already said, I’m not 100% against entitlements so long as the person is trying to help themselves. I think the problem here is your perception that the moochers are the norm and the majority. I’m not here to change your mind, but it’s just not so. I think if you look at the figures, that even if we stopped welfare in it’s tracks it is a mere pittance compared to corporate welfare. (Breaks to oil companies, farms, etc.) Tell me you’re bringing those subsidies to an end first and maybe we can talk. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/136 "2012-11-16T17:15:53Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > What if my hypothetical new country not only allowed said free speech, but allowed even MORE personal freedom? Is this a hypothetical, or do you think it would actually do so? Because when I hear about a republic of Louisiana, I wonder who Bobby Jindal would appoint as Witchmaster General. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/137 "2012-11-16T17:16:15Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > What if my hypothetical new country not only allowed said free speech, but allowed even MORE personal freedom? > Huh? How does ending the war on drugs, ending the war in the ME, drastically lowering taxes, drastically cutting entitlements (say, raising the SS 3 or 4 years, delivering basic food needs to the under privileged as opposed food stamps, having those collecting unemployment work clean-up type jobs), and allowing true social freedom (no blue laws, gay marriage/adoption allowed, pro-choice, etc…) = “unreliance”? > Huh? Are you saying that my desire to be left alone = entitlement? > Everything I’ve mentioned is exactly what freedom is about. Too many politicians and Americans use it as a fucking buzzword without considering the benefits/downsides of true freedom. because you want to be left alone AND keep having your lifestyle, your state’s resources and _all of that_ is a by-product of being part of america, for the good and the bad. you have this attitude you can walk away with everything that you have in your hands and keep it and keep having it that way–infrastructure, interstate programs and commerce, but all that was achieved through union, not by unilateral, un-reliant “Louisiana did it all for themselves” self-creation like you’re some island unto yourself. you also have an askew sense of fiduciary resources and allocation–you think you can 1. kill all government jobs 2. not tax much 3. refill all those lost jobs without 4. welfare programs and 5. still have money to feed the needy (of which you just ensured you’d have PLEANTY of while 6. not accounting for disabilities and 7. cutting a major source of retirement income to your elderly population–all while creating a needlessly more complex inter-state trade system with who-knows-what tariffs, taxes, embargoes and what all else–because keep in mind you’d only be a nation unto thyself by absolute inconsolable differences with the US of A (and presumably other seceded nations), meaning trade might be a little hostile and complex. all of this in spite of your idea that your red state WANTS more liberties (hint: they don’t. they HATE IT), so you would have a civil schism on par with Libya and other hell holes. all i can say is i’m glad you are not in any position to make such a thing actually happen and if you guys ever do break off, godspeed. you’ll need it. but as i said before, you can experiment with absolute freedom. move to some plot of land, go off the grid. see how that fits ya. the thing is, i don’t think that is what you want. what you want is to live in America–only where you get to have your cake and eat it too. that’s why i said what you speak of is not _freedom_. it’s just a pipedream of everythingyouwantallatonce. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/138 "2012-11-16T17:17:25Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > a proud LSU alumni Oops. I’m an alumnus. I haven’t yet achieved multiple-personhood (though it’s on my list). ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/139 "2012-11-16T17:22:09Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > I fucked up. Sorry. I wonder how long it would take for a post-secessionist head of state to admit that. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174/140 "2012-11-16T17:22:22Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Sez you. I’m a Louisiana boy, a proud LSU alumni, and I’d be terrified to live in the Nation of Louisiana- what makes you think they’d allow abortion to be legal? Or homosexuality? Or keep religion and state separate? From my understanding of Louisiana’s (and neighboring states’) electorate, these freedoms would be very much in doubt. But you’re SURE you know what freedom is all about. Let me ask you this- what, personally, have you experienced with regards to loss of freedom? For the 10th time, I don’t think LA would do it alone. The point I’m trying to make is, if all states went solo, who gives a shit if LA made abortion or homosexuality illegal? It’s very easy to move from state to state. If LA did outlaw each of those, it would hurt the state. Are you not familiar with Decadence Fest? It’s about choices. One federal government is making the decisions for all the states, with marginal differences among those states. I say let the states go all out in deciding how they are run. Look at our presidents and the men running against them over the past 12 years. There’s very little difference between Bush, Obama, Romney, and McCain. And these people are making decisions that the entire nation is affected by. People in California and people in Texas are very different. Ditto for Tennessee and New York. Ditto for Florida and Massachusetts. So why not let each of those states run themselves the way they want to (based on whom the citizens of the state select) and give people more choices on how they want to live? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174.md?page=8)