Not that long ago, there was an abortive attempt to split California into four (?) states, segregating SF and LA from the conservative North, East, and South. It wasn’t pretty then, and it wouldn’t be pretty in the future. (Along the same lines, Illinois would split into Chicago and Downstate.)
Please read the piece. It's more about the threat of secession and the inequities of our current system, which have only gotten worse and now pose a greater threat to our country's actual majority of citizens..
Why such a large percentage of US GDP allows such a small percentage to significantly influence laws and policy of the country is hard to resolve with any degree of logic.
California depends on defense installations scattered throughout the country. Alaska has major bases, for example, and all of these are staffed with Americans from all over the country.
That is only the implication if you don't know anything about this country's defense installations. And think they are all identical & indistinguishable.
This country isn't set up for every state to defend itself. If California were attacked, it would be defended by installations in Alaska, etc.
I was born & raised here. Lived in other states & countries, but came back to Calif. What's left of my sibs live in Wash state. They say they hate Cal but can't say why. FYI, it's because they're trumpers.
I’m happy to live in California. Funny that I live half a mile from the z Nevada stateline. I do buy gas in Nevada because it’s much much cheaper. Tahoe is funny like that.
I first dreamed of California’s secession in 1970 when I was 11 years old in Atascadero, CA. I was in my sixth-grade class and I saw the State Flag with the words California Republic on it. Our beloved Bear Flag. And I said, “Someday… In MY lifetime.”
The most compelling parallel is the European Union. The EU has 450M citizens; the US has 350M. EU countries spent 1200 years warring over tribal issues (religion, cultural norms), like the US since 1776. Declaring separate nation states that retain their traditions but unite in war and trade works.
I lived in CA my entire life. Moved last summer. Much of CA is struggling, but nobody wants to talk about it. Not really. The economy has been turned over to tech bros who don’t care about you. Education is meh & what you get for your taxes is shameful.
It is true, California's most recent financial problems are the result of the tech industry. "Nobody wants to talk about it" is not true. But the answer to California's problems isn't for it to become Florida or Texas.
Nobody is suggesting it become Florida or Texas, more the voters need to demand more for the astronomical taxes paid by the citizens. You should all have universal healthcare, excellent schools. You don’t. The legislature killed the idea of universal healthcare. Wtf?
No argument.
But the present moment is fraught. People are angry with Newsome and the Dems, (deservedly or not) and historically when that has happened, Californians then vote for Republicans and policies like Prop 13.
With major military installations in some, but not all of the states, how does this make even a tiny bit of sense? ICMBs attack California, too bad, the anti ballistic missiles are in Nebraska & South Dakota?
Any real threat of secession should focus on the military - refuse all federal taxes and instead get with east coast states to buy out the military and offer national protection, then just leave all that electoral college and Senate inequity blowing in the wind. I wonder who the military would back.
Sadly, I've been saying this for a while. I have little to nothing in common with people in the red states and what they did this time makes me want to never associate with them.
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If you read the Introduction and Preamble of Declaration of Independence, it perfectly represents the grievances of California against the US.
This country isn't set up for every state to defend itself. If California were attacked, it would be defended by installations in Alaska, etc.
When Newsome came into office, California had a $100 billion surplus.
Like I said, the answer isn't for Newsome to become DeSantis, but you can't ignore this reality.
Do you really not understand how it is possible to have a large GDP & a deficit?
It would be easy. We are already attached ;)
Here is a pretty fair handed explanation of what has recently happened in CA. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/06/23/gavin-newsom-california-budget-deficit-deal/
But the present moment is fraught. People are angry with Newsome and the Dems, (deservedly or not) and historically when that has happened, Californians then vote for Republicans and policies like Prop 13.
(Btw the Nation truly has the *worst* website. At least in mobile, so hard to read anything)
This sounds like a Putin and Xi dream come true.