Let Texas Secede
If you haven’t heard, some Texas secessionists had a rally the other day. Rachel Maddow had this lovely video.
Truth be told, I felt a bit like seceeding after those lunatics voted for George W. Bush the second time around. And I’m not the only one. I know this because Sam Schechner posted an article on Slate called Could the Blue States Secede?.
O.k., maybe we were kidding (sort of), but I’ll bet I’m not the only one who was checking immigration info for Canada and Brazil. And when Puerto Rico or Hawaii or the Lakota Sioux push for independence, I’m sympathetic. So, for the sake of consistency, I support the crazy Texans. I think we should join their campaign for a referendum on Texas secession.
No really, hear me out.
McCain won Texas, but Obama received 44% of the vote. That’s three and a half million Texans who voted for Obama. According to Gallop, Texas is officially competitive for democrats. Perhaps I am overestimating Texans, but it seems unlikely that a referendum would pass.
The most likely outcome is that a significant majority would vote against it. The kooks would have to shut up about it, or at least redirect their anger towards their fellow Texans. Politicians would not be able to use the issue to fire up their base, because they would specifically be advocating for something the majority of their constituents clearly do not want.
Granted, a close vote would be a problem. It would give the secessionists a new lease on life, but the chance of that is so slim. And if they do leave the union there are all sorts of benefits for the rest of us. We get rid of tons of right wing, racist loonies who are helping to screw up our government. We would never have another president from Texas. Most of the sane Texans would undoubtedly immigrate to the U.S. We would have to reroute Highway 40 and so would no longer have to drive through stinky Amarillo on our way across country.
It could be really great.
Mel,
Having lived in Texas, California, and Illinois, in a mixed race marriage, I have to say that Texas is far and away the least racist state I've lived in (Houston less racist than Austin, though, with Sili Valley middle-pack, and Chicago far behind). Just as a personal experience comparison.
1Hi Aretae. I didn't mean to imply that I think Texans are more racist than anyone else. I was, however, implying that I think the secessionists are more racist than most.
I've lived in South and Central Florida, Washington DC, and uber liberal Santa Cruz, California. I found Cali to be the most racist of them all.
2"We get rid of tons of right wing, racist loonies"
That could be like three Texans. Sorry, couldn't resist the fat joke. Great comment about stinky Amarillo. LMAO. We would also lose the second largest cross in the Western Hemisphere. That would be tragic.
Outside of the main cities I'm sure there are plenty of racists to be found in every state, secessionist or not. Those secessionists in that video are frightening though.
3I totally forgot about the cross. I think you'd still be able to see that monstrosity from Oklahoma.
Plenty of racists in the cities too, sadly. But I agree, those secessionists are frightening.
4