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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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tom
3:16PM 3:16PM Apr 25th 2009
LMAN2004Y - Yours is one of the most reasonable and fact based comments here and I appreciate it !!! . . . You are so right, . . if EVEN ONE American Citizen loses their liberty because of their political, religious, ethnic or moral convictions and phylosophies, . . We ALL LOSE !!! . . .
YOU CAN'T SINK "HALF" OF A BOAT !!! . . . WE MUST SAVE THE ENTIRE BOAT OR WE WILL LOST IT IN IT'S ENTIRITY. . .
We really MUST find common grounds through which to re-unite ourselves as a deserving FREE, CAPITALISTIC REPUBLIC !!! . . . If "LIBERTY" and "CIVIL RIGHTS" for every U.S. CITIZEN is not sufficient common grounds for us to see eye to eye on, . . Then, . . OUR NATION IS DOOMED, OUR LIBERTY IS LOST, OUR MORAL COMPASS IS DEFECTIVE, THE FUTURE OF DECENDANTS HAS BEEN "S Q U A N D E R E D" . . .
WE WILL STAND TOGETHER OR WE WILL "FALL APART" !!!
. . PERIOD !!!
WE MUST HANG TOGETHER OR WE WILL SURELY HANG SEPARATELY . . . Thomas Jefferson . . .
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Le WIlhelm
6:32PM 6:32PM Apr 24th 2009
I would think the 2 coasts would be thrilled. All I've heard for years now is how you hate the red states. Well let the red states go. It's all simple.
Everyone has things. East coast can eat Maine Potatoes.
Left coast can pay big taxes on Idaho potatoes or have them shipped from Maine. East and Left cost you got a domestic oil problem. There's a bit of a bred basket problem, But you've got Bloomeys and Saxs, and Hollywood, but then all left and east coast importants of film should be taxed, and soon the midwest and south could develope heir own film industry.
Why not, this way everyone can be a bit happier. I suspect the bottom half of Illinois and rural michigan will want to get the hell away from Chicago and Detroit. And places like MN and Wisconsin will have a bit of a quandry, but it seems to me like it is a good idea.
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jeff
6:51PM 6:51PM Apr 24th 2009
Texas recieves $8 for every $100 paid in federal taxes. 80% of new jobs over the last 6 months have been in Texas. The economy is still strong. The state government is operating in the black. We propped up our own banks when they were failing in the 80's. We have no state income tax. Say what you want about Texas...just please never move here.
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BogieHalfaDoobie
7:03PM 7:03PM Apr 24th 2009
Let Texass go. The U.S. can then invade, arrest and try Bush for war crimes (or send him to Belgium for trial before the World Court).
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ERIC
9:46PM 9:46PM Apr 27th 2009
WOW
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susan betty
7:53PM 7:53PM Apr 24th 2009
If you are one who is sick and tired of paying their hard earned dollars to people who do not work or should not be heresucking off the welfare teet of America, taxation without representation is reason enought to secede from the socialst regime taking over every aspect of U.S. CITIZEN'S lives. Including numerous attempts to take away citizen's guns and right to freedom of speech and assembly, who would want to secede. Look around you there are many being brainwashed by corrupt union's bent on imposing their will on it's member's. Union;s leader's, hilda solis are against e-verify so that they can have third world invader's steal jobs from citizen's and veteran's. They are not for U.S. citizen's. They are for the invading hoards and taking their $$$ to add to their coffer's. WAKE UP AMERICA!!
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WontMissTexas
9:43PM 9:43PM Apr 24th 2009
Texas can become a Monarchy, their BELOVED GEORGE W BUSH can be their new KING!
I say go for it. Nothing but steers and queers anyway!
Either Mexas or Texaco will happen or they will finally stop illegals from entering into 'their country'. (as if they have cared all this time but they might when the illegals invade 'their new country')
Who would Texaco-Mexas call for help when they suddenly were invaded by Mexican drug lords? (as if they've done anything so far)
Texaco-Mexas would be calling AMERICA to come save them. I say they have enough guns and ammo to take care of their damnselves and should just fight it out.
If they want to secede go ahead, don't call US or the USA to come defend you. If you don't want to be an AMERICAN take your traitorous azzes to Texaco-Mexas and stay there!
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Chap
9:58PM 9:58PM Apr 24th 2009
How naive this article is. Are you making the assumption that federal funds come from the tooth fairy? I will guarantee you Texas' citizens pay far more in federal taxes than they receive in federal funding. Any state would be ahead of the game financially in a secession scenario. The federal government takes OUR dollar and eats half of it with it's bloated bureaucracy and takes a hunk for the crooked politicians and their cronies. When it throws a few crumbs back our way the American people act like they have been visited by Santa Claus. If I took $400 out of your pocket and handed you a $100 back would you call me a thief or tell everyone how this great guy gave you a $100?
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tjcuda
10:59AM 10:59AM Apr 25th 2009
If Texas pulled out, don't be surprised if the whole Midwest did the same, leaving both liberal coasts to fend for themselves. Without the midwest states to support them, the two coasts would become third world nations, California being close to becoming one even now. What would your god Obama do then?
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Anna
10:18PM 10:18PM Apr 24th 2009
Losing Texas would be no big deal. Texas and it's people seem to forget Alaska is much, much larger. Texas pollutes the environment, is running out of oil, and is full of illegal aliens. Get rid of that state, already, please!
Tex-mex food tastes like crap, and your States only political claim to fame is claiming Bush (1 and 2) as your "local guys" even though born and raised in Maine, and literal neighbors with the Kennedy's. Apparently Bush's statement "Dont mess with Texas" actually translates to "We cant find a terrorist hiding in a cave in 8 years because the "Good old (very) white boys" Bushes are generational friends and oil partners with the Bin Ladens". Texas is most well known for being featured in "Cops" episodes on TV where the police have to arrest your sorry excuses for citizens anyway. I say we rid ourselves of Texas as soon as we can (before they can even quit themselves), and we will consider ourselves lucky. Maybe next time Texas gets hit by another Katrina-like hurricane, your own special Bush family can deny you help for a week as we watch your communities die on live TV. Sound familiar?
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Craigushka
10:41PM 10:41PM Apr 24th 2009
BogieHalfaDoobie
Gregory Dittmer
You to scumbags are what is wrong with america, but the real patriots will clean it up once and for all very soon. No that unsurper Obama is not my President, he is a unsurper, and the US Supreme court did not uphold the rule of law and make Obama provide a vault copy of his birth certificate. The Supreme court refused to do that because they were afraid of being label racist. Obama has spent a lot of money keeping all his records and birth certificate secret, so what is he trying to hide? I tell you what he is trying to hide, and that is the fact he was born in Kenya africa. Obama is in violation of the law, and the US Constitution and should be impeached, and arrested for violating the law.
Also stop calling me a republican, because I am not a republican, nor a democrat. I do not vote and have found only one man honest enough to be voted for, and that is Ron Paul. About the Vietnam War you say I lost, you liberal democrats started that war,and you protested it until the US pulled out. In all reality we won that war regardles of what you say. US forces killed nearly 3 million enemy forces, and they killed say 60 thousand US forces, so that does not sound like they won that war to me. When the patriots take charge soon we will send all you scumbags packing to the countries you defend, because you have degraded america enough. The patriots will know who you are, because there will be plenty of evidence to prove who sold america out to the terrorist, and enemies of america. I cannot wait to see the second revolution begin, I will have the last laugh when the garbage is arrested and sent packing.
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Gregory Dittmer
4:21AM 4:21AM Apr 25th 2009
In an earlier post I asked you if you could not simply exchange ideas without resorting to such uncouth and low class methods?
Well I guess you answered THAT question without actually addressing the issue. The answer seems to be that you are totally incapable of discussion or exchange of ideas without resorting to low class, uneducated vitriolic rants.
By the way Craig... if you insist on using a word, at least go through the trouble of learning how to spell. There is no such word as "unsurp," the word is USURP! And once again... like it or not Craig, Obama IS your President as well as mine and every other American.
Despite your apparent ignorance, Obama DID provide his birth certificate to the proper people, you know, the people that matter... and YOU are NOT one of them! Just because you repeat something over and over and over again, it will NOT make it true. If you have even the slightest evidence to support your rant, please provide it.
As for the Viet Nam War, in truth, the very first soldiers were set there by Eisenhower. So Craig, the war was actually started by a Republican, not some liberal.
Then there is the matter of being a "patriot," something you seem to like claiming for yourself. Well Craig, if you can't even bring yourself to vote, you are a very poor example of a "patriot." So what, you don't want to be a Republican or Democrat, the man you claim was the best for the job was on the ballot, yet you even failed to vote for him!
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Craigushka
10:57PM 10:57PM Apr 24th 2009
It's not going to be that, the patriots are going to take america back by violent force in a coming second american revolution, because voting and protesting does not work any more, nor has it ever. I will be happy to see the patriots run all you liberal socialist, marxist communist scum out of america. Maybe Obams's birth place kenya will take you all in. LOL
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silverfox
10:10AM 10:10AM Apr 27th 2009
Get real friend. If there is a 'second American Revolution' or civil war it will involve a divided US Army throwing massively destructive conventional weapons at each other's cities and strongpoints.Take your Chinese made AK47 and the few hundred rounds of ammo and match it up against US Government M1A1 Abrams tanks rolling through your neighborhood pumping 50 cal machine gun incendiary rounds and 120 mm high explosives at you and see how brave you are going to feel when you look at the remaining bits and pieces of raw meat that once were your family.
You've been watching too many B grade TV movies or reading too many comic books. Oh, and if you had made a serious effort to study history you would know most participants in civil wars don't get to choose which side they are on. Some body with big cannons and bomber aricraft decide everybody in your city belongs to 'the wrong side" and so you all get blown away.
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Fahrout
10:32AM 10:32AM Apr 25th 2009
Texans have always felt for some unknown reason that they were better then the rest of the country. If they would like to go it alone, LET 'EM GO! We would all be better off. I've spent more time than I care to think about in that God-forsaken place and watched over the last 40 years as Texans migrated into Colorado and took over and destroyed entire small towns. The majority of Texans are obnoxious, arrogant bastards who deserve to stay with their own species. Let's just make sure when we finish building that anti-immigration wall that we've routed it north so that those new "foreigners" are prohibited from ever returning.
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El Diablo
11:57PM 11:57PM Apr 24th 2009
Really? Is this an issue? Dont we have btter things to worry about other than a bunch of idiots raving about seceding? They give all the other rational, hard-working, and patriotic Texans a bad name.
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Rick
1:07AM 1:07AM Apr 25th 2009
now is the time for all states to consider seceding from this lousy country...let the gays have it...we will secede and the gay states would fall to a mexican girl scout troop...the bunch of sissys
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Uhh
1:28AM 1:28AM Apr 25th 2009
If Texas Seceded id move out of Texas and move to a state with two shits for brains.
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rick
2:16AM 2:16AM Apr 25th 2009
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF TEXAS SECEDED???
To start with, the rest of America would BE BETTER OFF! I've long said that we should give Texas back to Mexico, and now seems like a good time to do it!
Afterall, Texas already has more illegal mexicans than texicans, and now Texas is getting swine flu too,
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Georgia
8:27AM 8:27AM Apr 25th 2009
With what the democrats are doing to make America a socialist nation, many more states will probably join Texas. And I don't see how the Bush family would be kept from the Presidency. We have a Kenyan now in leadership.
I don't think the 'stupid' democrats get it that most Americans are sick of their spending. There are many wise democrats along with republicans and independents that see how Obama, Pelosi, and the like are out to destroy our country and the freedoms we have enjoyed.
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