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So What If Texas DID Secede From The Union?
Tony Romm is now a contributor for The Cram, a student news arm of the newly launched PoliticsDaily.com. To follow his future work, click here.
The blogosphere is still rumbling this week after a suggestion by Texas Governor Rick Perry that the (now
literally) Lone Star state secede from the embattled union. It does not help, of course, that a poll released on Thursday by Research2000 merely confirms the unfortunate truth that Perry's comments may have resonated among some Texans: In the survey, nearly 35 percent of respondents, mostly Republicans, indicated they felt Texas would be better off as an "independent nation."
It would be naive to take these findings seriously; gauging public opinion on any topic is difficult and daunting, especially when the questions themselves are indulgent and practically invite silliness. It is likely that many of the survey's respondents answered only out of jest, submitting to Perry's gaffe without the slightest contemplation of what secession would actually mean for their state, personal or geographic.
But that hasn't stopped a plethora of pundits from jokingly hypothesizing on their behalf. Earlier this week, Daily Kos noted a few drawbacks to Texan secession: the loss of its coveted military bases, exorbitant NASA funding and most of its dirty industry. Preceding that prediction was Nate Silver, who reminded politicos at FiveThirtyEight that an America without Texas would have catapulted the Democrats to a filibuster-proof supermajority in Congress -- even without Al Franken's help -- and ensured that not another Bush family member could have won the White House in 2004.
Indeed, we can attribute to Texas' departure a number of interesting benefits (that only those wary voters who stuck out the economy's apoplexy could reap). For example...
(CLICK TO READ MORE...)
In the realm of higher education, an America without Texas would save the federal government more than $1 billion in Pell Grants (.xls), the program provided annually to college students who demonstrate significant financial need. In the 2006-2007 academic year, the Department of Education awarded Texas enough Pell Grant assistance to cover more than 440,000 college students -- money that would obviously disappear if the state left the union. To give this figure more perspective, recall that the most recent federal stimulus included a provision to increase Pell Grant funding by more than $13 billion dollars, almost $300 per student. When you subtract Texas from that equation and add the money saved by its absence, the United States could opt to cover more students or increase eligible students' current awards (even if only by a tiny amount).
A more substantial benefit from Texas' exit, however, is environmental in nature. According to The New York Times' assessment of state environmental quality, Texas emitted 224.76 million metric tons of CO2 last year -- ranking it first in total pollution. Presumably, this is because Texas also boasts the second largest population in the United States, weighing in at well over 22 million residents. Unfortunately, population totals matter little when state or federal agencies must offset carbon output. It currently costs the country anywhere between $1-30 per metric ton to address troublesome emissions, which would translate in Texas' case to anywhere between $224.76 million and $6.7 billion in CO2 offset fees. Of course, the Lone Star state's withdrawal would not exactly address the root environmental problem here; Texas would still emit pollutants at an alarming rate. However, secession would absolve the United States of its responsibility to pay for or fix it -- good news to the few voters who still weep openly about deficit spending.
And, finally, for those in the nation's capitol still bitter at Sen. John Cornyn's, R-Texas, vote against D.C. voting rights, Texas's exit would permit the District -- should it ever receive statehood -- a spot on the flag. Unlikely, but nonetheless important to the same cadre of cynical voters who first brought you Hippos for Hypocrites.
Indeed, many of these "benefits" are moot; the Lone Star state's exit would severely dent U.S. exports, among other areas of the economy, and test President Obama's foreign policy credentials. Then again, perhaps Obama too stands to gain from Texas' secession -- in some perverted sense, it would finally offer the ersatz Lincoln-ite the chance to walk in his idol's footsteps in more than just name.
The blogosphere is still rumbling this week after a suggestion by Texas Governor Rick Perry that the (now
literally) Lone Star state secede from the embattled union. It does not help, of course, that a poll released on Thursday by Research2000 merely confirms the unfortunate truth that Perry's comments may have resonated among some Texans: In the survey, nearly 35 percent of respondents, mostly Republicans, indicated they felt Texas would be better off as an "independent nation."It would be naive to take these findings seriously; gauging public opinion on any topic is difficult and daunting, especially when the questions themselves are indulgent and practically invite silliness. It is likely that many of the survey's respondents answered only out of jest, submitting to Perry's gaffe without the slightest contemplation of what secession would actually mean for their state, personal or geographic.
But that hasn't stopped a plethora of pundits from jokingly hypothesizing on their behalf. Earlier this week, Daily Kos noted a few drawbacks to Texan secession: the loss of its coveted military bases, exorbitant NASA funding and most of its dirty industry. Preceding that prediction was Nate Silver, who reminded politicos at FiveThirtyEight that an America without Texas would have catapulted the Democrats to a filibuster-proof supermajority in Congress -- even without Al Franken's help -- and ensured that not another Bush family member could have won the White House in 2004.
Indeed, we can attribute to Texas' departure a number of interesting benefits (that only those wary voters who stuck out the economy's apoplexy could reap). For example...
(CLICK TO READ MORE...)
In the realm of higher education, an America without Texas would save the federal government more than $1 billion in Pell Grants (.xls), the program provided annually to college students who demonstrate significant financial need. In the 2006-2007 academic year, the Department of Education awarded Texas enough Pell Grant assistance to cover more than 440,000 college students -- money that would obviously disappear if the state left the union. To give this figure more perspective, recall that the most recent federal stimulus included a provision to increase Pell Grant funding by more than $13 billion dollars, almost $300 per student. When you subtract Texas from that equation and add the money saved by its absence, the United States could opt to cover more students or increase eligible students' current awards (even if only by a tiny amount).
A more substantial benefit from Texas' exit, however, is environmental in nature. According to The New York Times' assessment of state environmental quality, Texas emitted 224.76 million metric tons of CO2 last year -- ranking it first in total pollution. Presumably, this is because Texas also boasts the second largest population in the United States, weighing in at well over 22 million residents. Unfortunately, population totals matter little when state or federal agencies must offset carbon output. It currently costs the country anywhere between $1-30 per metric ton to address troublesome emissions, which would translate in Texas' case to anywhere between $224.76 million and $6.7 billion in CO2 offset fees. Of course, the Lone Star state's withdrawal would not exactly address the root environmental problem here; Texas would still emit pollutants at an alarming rate. However, secession would absolve the United States of its responsibility to pay for or fix it -- good news to the few voters who still weep openly about deficit spending.
And, finally, for those in the nation's capitol still bitter at Sen. John Cornyn's, R-Texas, vote against D.C. voting rights, Texas's exit would permit the District -- should it ever receive statehood -- a spot on the flag. Unlikely, but nonetheless important to the same cadre of cynical voters who first brought you Hippos for Hypocrites.
Indeed, many of these "benefits" are moot; the Lone Star state's exit would severely dent U.S. exports, among other areas of the economy, and test President Obama's foreign policy credentials. Then again, perhaps Obama too stands to gain from Texas' secession -- in some perverted sense, it would finally offer the ersatz Lincoln-ite the chance to walk in his idol's footsteps in more than just name.
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Gregory Dittmer
7:43PM 7:43PM Apr 24th 2009
Craigushka
8:29AM 8:29AM Apr 24th 2009
The one you call your President is an unsurper.
#####################################################
Obama won the election by an impressive margin and the Republicans, in general, were kicked to the curb like yesterday's garbage! Like it or not Craig, Obama is YOUR POTUS as well as mine.
If ANYONE in modern U.S. history has stolen an election, it would be the idiot that has returned to his village. He was placed in office by the Supreme Court even thought he LOST the election by well over one half million votes!
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Tech1 - Rt.SD Door Fitz
5:06PM 5:06PM Apr 28th 2009
Its Texas, who cares! And as far as this idiots comment goes the south would get its a$$ HANDED TO IT AGAIN.
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Chef Alfred Schrader
5:44AM 5:44AM Apr 24th 2009
I love Texas Bar-B-Que...Chef Alfred Schrader
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Craigushka
8:45AM 8:45AM Apr 24th 2009
We would beat you down in less than 30 days you liberal piece of socialist, maxist, communist sh-t. I will bank on it. It's coming soon, you can count on it.
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Gregory Dittmer
9:01PM 9:01PM Apr 24th 2009
You are really something Craig... I don't know just what, but certainly something other than a Christian or even a decent human being.
Virtually EVERY post you make has some measure of name calling and vitroilic, hatefilled, uneducated, foul ranting. Can you not simply exchange ideas without resorting to such uncouth and low class methods? Do you represent Texans!?!
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Gregory Dittmer
3:28PM 3:28PM Apr 25th 2009
Craigushka
8:50AM 8:50AM Apr 25th 2009
1) You are wrong again liberal, Eisenhower sent advisors to Vietnam, Kennedy the liberal democrat sent the first troops. Get your facts straight.
2) Unsurp was a typo.
3) But again Obama is not my President, and he has not provided a vault copy of his birth certificate for the american people to see it. Obama lovers posted a false copy of a birth certificate online that was proven to be a fraud.
4) He has sealed up all his records so the people cannot see he was born in Kenya africa to a sorry race mixing woman, that GOD commands against.
5)Stop trashing me and my military service or I will come have a talk with you personally because I know who you are, and where you are. Do not insult me anymore liberal.
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1) My facts are straight, Eisenhower sent the first military personel into Viet Nam. Call them what you will, but Eisenhower DID start the Viet Nam debacle!
2) Do you know the meaning of "typo" Craig?
typo noun
a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind [syn: misprint]
A "typo" or typographic error is NOT a spelling error except in the case where a key is hit inadvertently or letters reversed resulting in a misspelled word. You, on the other hand, have repeated your spelling error consistently and many times which indicates you simply do not know the correct spelling. In other words, "unsurp" was not a "typo."
3) Are you a citizen of the United States of America? If your answer is "yes," then Obama IS your President like it or not.
As I said previously, repeating something over and over and over again does NOT make it any more true. So please, if you cannot and do not produce actual evidence to your claims of Obama's birth certificate being fake, then you will really look foolish. After all, YOU claim the certificate shown was "proven to be a fraud."
Do you realize what incredible measures would need to be taken to hold a Federal job and still hide your origins of birth from the Federal Government for so long? You must think Obama is some sort of god that can do ANYTHING he pleases!
4) Where is it found "that GOD commands against" mixed race marriage? The ONLY area I am aware of pertains to Jews and nothing but Jews. Furthermore, God's command to keep to themselves made no mention of race at all. God commanded against any mixing of the Jews with ANY nation, NOT race.
5) Craig, I have not trashed your military service. I don't recall addressing your military service in any way. However, I HAVE said you are a miserable excuse for a "patriot" for your failure to vote and your failure to support OUR President.
It really is funny the way you throw around the word "liberal" as if it is some dirty word. Do you think calling someone a "liberal" is insulting? Perosnally, although I vote as an Independent, I am rather proud of being identified as a "liberal."
Are you aware of the AOL "Terms of Service?" Do you realize your threat, veiled or otherwise, is against AOL's TOS, not to mention being against the law?
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jim
8:36AM 8:36AM Apr 24th 2009
we are not joking and yes we will be better off. the people of texas are a breed that are much better than the rest of the country. our words still mean something when we speak. so to hell with the rest of you!!!
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vowtoshutyourmouthnpushit
11:49AM 11:49AM Apr 26th 2009
"jim
8:36AM 8:36AM Apr 24th 2009
we are not joking and yes we will be better off. the people of texas are a breed that are much better than the rest of the country. our words still mean something when we speak. so to hell with the rest of you!!!"
Sounds a bit like Nazism with the Aryan Race.
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Craigushka
8:57AM 8:57AM Apr 24th 2009
revblueroor
If George Washington's vision is real, which I believe it is, then we will beat you down and take america back from you people are are destroying it. I know you are a worthless piece of S--T, and a sorry liberal. I pray everyday that this second america revolution comes before I past from this world, because I want to have the last laugh when your kind is destroyed forever. I believe that it is almost here, and I cannot wait to see it come so the socialist, marxist, communist left wing liberal scum can be eliminated, and it will according to the vision. The so-called nations you say will help you liberals will be defeated along with you according to the vision, because angels help the true patriots like myself who want to save america from the garbage like you who are tearing it down, talking it down, and selling it out to your so-called nations that will come to your filthy un-patriotic life. You all will lose!!!!!
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BogieHalfaDoobie
7:22PM 7:22PM Apr 24th 2009
What wonderful "christian" thoughts you spew. You swear you will "win", then claim to be a viet nam veteran. Didn't you loose that war? You spew hate and in the same breath invoke the name George Washington? I suggest you re-read your history; or at least get "facts" from a reliable source.
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Craigushka
9:21AM 9:21AM Apr 24th 2009
The Republican Whine List
I am not a republican, or democrat. Both of those parties are evil and corrupt.
....I bet the men who want to take america back will show you liberals soon enough that you will lose. I swear before GOD you will lose. I am a vietnam veteran and I see more going on than what you think. George Washingtons vision says we will defeat you morally corrup evil people. The one you call your President is an unsurper. You are not a Patriot, you are garbage that is tearing down the great Republic of America, and turning it into a degenerate multicultural cesspool, of socialist marxist, and communist scum that will be defeated. Don't count on your win because the revolution has not begun yet, but it will.
http://ad2004.com/prophecytruths/Articles/Prophecy/Washington.html
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SC Patriot
9:53AM 9:53AM Apr 24th 2009
I wish South Carolina would join you!! And we have the RIGHT to secede. We always have. And yes, the liberals would lose.
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Mary
10:27AM 10:27AM Apr 24th 2009
I am all for Texas succeeding, it could be a social experiment of sorts. What I like most is that it will provide a locality for all the disenfranchised with the current administration to go to, so instead of griping, they would have to put up or shut up.
Can you see it now? President Cheney and VP Limbaugh, it could prove very entertaining.
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waggishtrans
12:48PM 12:48PM Apr 24th 2009
If Texas Secedes, I would move out of the People's Republic of Baja California Norte(Formerly California) and Move there. Low taxes and NO STATE income Tax...Sign me up...
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Brian L. Hope
1:04PM 1:04PM Apr 24th 2009
Texas Gov. Perry showed his ignorance of Texas history in his comments. Texas joined the U.S. in 1845 with no special right to withdraw from the Union, but with the option to divide into up to 5 states in response to any increase in northern states - an option which became moot and irrelevant after the Civil War and Reconstruction. By the way, whites are on the way to becoming a minority element in Texas - so right-wing talk of Texas secession may well be on the way to being irrelevant.
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Fred
2:10PM 2:10PM Apr 24th 2009
The calls for Texas to secede express both legitimate frustrations and more visceral motivations. Whether the extremist see the ultimate consequences of their stated objectives is unclear.
Take the premises 1) The Free Market Rules, and 2) Government is the Enemy to their logical conclusions and you get what we have had for most of history – a handful of rich families taxing the wretched masses (all the rest of the 99% of us) and sending us off to battle. This is Darwinian, not Biblical.
Modify the same premises to 1) My Customers and Employees are my neighbors, and 2) The Government is Us and you get the very recent phenomenon of what is called the middle class. Taken to the extreme, though, the government role of referee can suffocate the very lifeblood of innovation and entrepreneurship it seeks to make possible for the many rather than just the few.
Both sides have valid points and the dynamic is crucial. In Galatians, Paul writes “For freedom Christ has set us free, but do not use your freedom to bite and devour one another.” How can this Spirit direct our thoughts and conversations rather than the spirit of hate and ridicule used to jack up ratings and sell advertising?
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K.K.
3:49AM 3:49AM Apr 27th 2009
Good on ya, Fred! That's not only the coolest post I've read on this thread, it's one of the best I've read on the whole internet. If you ever get to Las Vegas, your first drink is on me.
Best, K.K. (shoKKers@aol.com)
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silverfox
3:14PM 3:14PM Apr 24th 2009
What most would be successionists don't realize is that the State actually owns a very small percentage of the assets including highways, property, ports, buildings, universities, hospitals, airports, bridges, research labs, and finally the majority of your military hardware which is on loan to the National Guard.So when you do secede you lose an enourmous amount of wealth and the ability to defend
yourself should a minor power decide to invade and conquer you. However before you do leave the US you will of course be expected to pay back your fair share of the current 11 trilion dollar debt. So after returning most of you public land and developed assets to the US government and paid back you share of the National debt,which should come close to $1 trillion dollars, and then created a new modern army to defend your independence, your living standard ought to rival that of Somalia.
With thinking like Governor Perry it's is easy to see why the South lost the last civil war and will do far worse this time if they attempt it again.
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K.K.
3:49AM 3:49AM Apr 27th 2009
Excellent point, silverfox, well expressed...you ought to forward that to Texas' officials and journalists before they go off 'half-cocked'. Mexico's not necessarily the enemy of Texas, but ALL OF SOUTH AMERICA COULD BE, and I don't think Texas has enough Rangers...even if they're all as badass as Chuck Norris.
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LMAN2004Y
10:43PM 10:43PM Apr 24th 2009
Hello Friends,
Texas does Not want to Secede. They want to Assert their State's Rights Under 10th Amendment Sovereignty as Provided for in the Constitution for All States. Many States have been and are Now in the Process of doing this as Our Federal Government is Out of Control. Look up Governor Perrys Comments on You Tube. I think this is a Good thing and I'm a Registered Democrat also. Lets All Pull together as Freedom Loving Americans that want Our Constitution Restored and Our Rights Respected. Thanks and Have a Good One.
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