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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
2:44PM 2:44PM Apr 25th 2009
Maybe you can realistically scuff at the idea of a Texas Secession alone, . . But, . . If a few others join the action which have the natural minerals, farmland and other resources with which to sustain the entire bunch, . . Then, . . You should take the prospect more seriously !!! . . .
. . . TEXAS IS NOT ALONE !!!
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William B. Bizzell II
3:19PM 3:19PM Apr 25th 2009
Though I have lived elsewhere most of my life, I am 4th-generation Texan on both sides of the family. One grandfather was President of Texas A & M between the two World Wars. His claim to fame lay in his ability to mediate disputes that seemed irreconcilable to others. My ancestors came to Texas from the United States, the Confederate States, and across the land bridge from Siberia, a while back. Basically proud, I am well aware that Texas (and Texans generally, and transplanted New-England "Texans" all have their faults. They have their right to be wrong. I know, and laugh at, all the "Texas" stories. But all must admit that, of ALL the Fifty, Texas has the most individual personality, and really cannot be adequately described in a brief response to a blogger's aside. Bill Bizzell
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tom
2:57PM 2:57PM Apr 25th 2009
ANYONE WHO " W A N T S " TO SEE ANY KIND OF ARMED CONFLICT ON AMERICAN SOIL IS A DAMNED FOOL !!! . . . BUT, . . Just as in times past, when pushed back-to-the-wall and given no other realistic choice, FREEDOM LOVING, PATRIOTIC, GOD FEARING AND DETERMINED AMERICAN CITIZENS WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH TO MAINTAIN LIBERTY AND WARD OFF TYRANNY FROM " A N Y " SOURCE. . . .
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Beeker D.
6:32PM 6:32PM Apr 25th 2009
The MENTAL MIDGET MINDED OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Seceded from the TRUE United States MANY, MANY years ago!
And for the childlike Liberal/Progrssives out there MANY,MANY means more than "8" years!
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Gregory Dittmer
9:40PM 9:40PM Apr 25th 2009
Beeker D.
6:32PM 6:32PM Apr 25th 2009
The MENTAL MIDGET MINDED OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Seceded from the TRUE United States MANY, MANY years ago!
And for the childlike Liberal/Progrssives out there MANY,MANY means more than "8" years!
##################################################
Yeah... the past eight years were just a continuation from what was started nearly 30 years ago and ran for the next 12 years!
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Steve Gamble
7:01PM 7:01PM Apr 25th 2009
Tony Romm is an idiot. Texas has over 60% of america's refining capacity. Nothing moves in the country without it. Texas would hold over the barrel of gas and diesel the rest of America. And like others said. The two costs would be left to fend for themselves and starve to death without the breadbasket and cattle in the midsection of America. Big cities on both coasts are ignorant from whence their survial is dependent.
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K.K.
3:42AM 3:42AM Apr 27th 2009
Sorry, Steve, we get most of our oil from CANADA. Strange but true. (I was stunned when I learned that.)
So if Texas seceded, it could provide its own energy, and good for them. But the rest of the country wouldn't disintegrate without Texas oil. As a civilization, we ought to find a way to go without that fuel anyway...while we still have a breathable atmosphere (right now, China makes L.A. look like Bermuda)!
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fred johnson
7:57PM 7:57PM Apr 25th 2009
Thereis no way in hell that Texas or any other state can secede from the union. We are the greatest country in the world. Key word here being COUNTRY, not individual states. The minute any governor tried something that stupid, he would be arrested for treason, and rightly so. With all the animosity and hatred against this country from those that want to destroy us, we can ill afford for this stupid infighting!!! Conservative, liberal or moderate, we can agree to disagree but the one thing we cannot be is divided!!
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snakeissback
7:56PM 7:56PM Apr 25th 2009
FUKK TEXAS. ONLY THING THEY HAVE IS THE QUEER COWBOYS WEARING THEM THERE QUEER LOOKING HATS!!!!!!
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Gregory Dittmer
9:48PM 9:48PM Apr 25th 2009
priscilla
4:59PM 4:59PM Apr 25th 2009
8 years of the 'village idiot'? there may come a day when you wish you had him back...this jerk in white house now...is worse than a village idiot..muslim communist...and texas would do just quite nicely without creeps like you...
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NOTHING and I mean absolutely NOTHING would make me wish the illage Idiot would come back!
As for Texas, if you and Craig are the "typical" Texans, a person would have to be brain dead to want to move there!
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t scott
1:14AM 1:14AM Apr 26th 2009
i own 5.73 acers in texas and support them leaving the union if the union wants to tax us for every need of all sitting home and not working,tax me for a fanticy land,i live in fl and will send money to that indepedent state.i remember the almo,now they have taken the usa by our own tax dollars,and i am not for,go texas!!!!!
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Chris
3:28AM 3:28AM Apr 26th 2009
I am a born and raised Texan...I believe we would rather not secede, but more than that, we are tired of the foolishness of the American government...Part of the cry of this article is that we won't get all the government help, who cares about their help?...If we are paying into the government more than other states, then we will actually come out for the better...and that poll that says only 35 % are for it, I haven't run into one person that is against it...we all seem to like the idea...It would be a mess since we are so intricately connected to the U.S., but it'll be alright... : o )
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Chris
3:31AM 3:31AM Apr 26th 2009
I am a born and raised Texan...I believe we would rather not secede, but more than that, we are tired of the foolishness of the American government...Part of the cry of this article is that we won't get all the government help, who cares about their help?...If we are paying into the government more than other states, then we will actually come out for the better...and that poll that says only 35 % are for it, I haven't run into one person that is against it...we all seem to like the idea...It would be a mess since we are so intricately connected to the U.S., but it'll be alright... : o )
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Chris
3:33AM 3:33AM Apr 26th 2009
I am a born and raised Texan...I believe we would rather not secede, but more than that, we are tired of the foolishness of the American government...Part of the cry of this article is that we won't get all the government help, who cares about their help?...If we are paying into the government more than other states, then we will actually come out for the better...and that poll that says only 35 % are for it, I haven't run into one person that is against it...we all seem to like the idea...It would be a mess since we are so intricately connected to the U.S., but it'll be alright... : o )
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dxxy4u
6:32AM 6:32AM Apr 26th 2009
It will take more than Governor Rick Perry to secede Texas from the union. Is Texas going to wage another "Civil War"? Because that's the ONLY way it CAN secede.
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TXGranny
5:36AM 5:36AM Apr 27th 2009
You are incorrect in posting that Governor Perry suggested we secede. He was responding to the crowd who was chanting "SECEDE." He stated that Texas was able to secede, which we and every state can do legally, but did not feel that was the best choice. He did imply that the door was available if the Federal government did not cease and desist their illegal act of forcing states to change their individual laws to fit the will of federal government. If you research further you would see that Texas does not want Washington dictating to us. We, the citizens of Texas, have a voice. We have voted on issues such as rates for unemployment. Our state leaders set our laws to reflect our vote. Now Washington feels they can override the will of the people of Texas.
The constitution and the Amendments were set in place by our forefathers to protect the rights of the states over the federal government.
How far should a state be pushed before it steps up and demands the rights that are granted to us? By the way, research will show you that many other states have also filed sovereignty.
Your article states the money the federal government would save on grants, but fails to mention the money they would lose on taxes from hard working Texans.
Furthermore, do a little research as to where all the natural gas in the nation comes from. And who refines the majority of oil... Or who manufactures many components for computers...
I could go on, but it suffices to say that the nation would be in turmoil without the benefits from the state of TEXAS.
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South Carolina
6:16AM 6:16AM Apr 27th 2009
THANK YOU for your comment about the Constitution! ALL we want is our State Rights! And if Texas does this, there will be a lot of States following. Bet on it!
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Boats
3:05PM 3:05PM Apr 26th 2009
Why just Texas? Lincoln really blew it.
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MyJellyJunglein1967
4:14PM 4:14PM Apr 26th 2009
Let me see,,,Just like Iraq,lets pretend that Texas has Weapons of Mass Destruction. We will invade it and kill 86000 Confederate traitors, we will waterboard(torture)thousands more,we will steal their oil,we will bomb and destroy Texas back to the Dark Ages and then we can blame Sadam Hussein for the horrible "mistake" on faulty intelligence. America will be happy again
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Ed
4:38PM 4:38PM Apr 26th 2009
Who cares about Texas seceding. The more important task is to get Massachusetts to secede and take Kennedy, Kerry and Frank with it.
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