Secession's Spontaneous Arrival in the Blogosphere

by Kirkpatrick Sale

Here is an example of what can happen when the idea of secession gets talked about these days. This is a selected version of a blogpost article on secession that was introduced earlier this year, as well as some of the responses.

Secession is a hot topic, the need is great, and citizens are beginning to recognize it's viability.

—Kirkpatrick Sale, Director, Middlebury Institute.

The link is here.

August 05, 2007
A Simple Solution – Secession

By Kelly Ann Thomas

I do not understand how it is that the majority of Americans understand that their government is lying, stealing, torturing and killing in their name, and yet few people act on their convictions. They continue to pay taxes, they continue to support the corrupt system, they continue to deploy to Iraq, and they allow fraudulent elections repeatedly.
There is no escaping the financial collapse of the US economy. There is no solution to Iraq than immediate withdrawal. The US infrastructure is ancient. Our oil refineries are old, bridges and buildings are on the verge of collapse, and a few more hurricanes and earthquakes will be enough to shut down the economy.

We all say we want a peaceful revolution, but I don't see much revolution. Protests don't work - they only give the Homeland Gestapo opportunity to photograph you and put your face in a database. I don't think there are many people who refuse to pay taxes. Not enough that it makes a difference….

A friend suggested a general strike. I don't think it will work, because too many people would be afraid to expose their beliefs to their boss, employer, neighbors, coworkers, family and friends. Especially the work force. With the economy sailing the way of the Titanic, most people cannot afford to lose their jobs. It's like an episode of the Twilight Zone, where 1984 meets Brave New World, and Soviet-style communism collides with German fascism. I think I hear Caesar calling.
And they have won. It is 1984. The tyrants have enslaved a population to such an extent that there is nary a peep. All the underground talk about V for Vendetta, yet few have done anything to stop tyranny. So, what happens now?

In my view, the only peaceful way to end this tyranny is if all the states secede from the US. We alleviate ourselves from federal debt, localize the economies, and get rid of federal control. No more Patriot Act, no more dismantling of habeas corpus, and no more bodies in Iraq. Yes, some of the welfare states will be forced to actually contribute to their own welfare. No more farm subsidies, no more handouts. If I want to help someone, it is my choice. The states can ally themselves regionally (which seems much more efficient given our shared utilities and resources) or not. It's all about local control. Sure, there would be a few horror stories along the way, but it's still better than citizen internment camps.

We don't need government to take care of us. People wonder what would happen if Medicare and Social Security ended. Medical care would get a whole lot cheaper and natural medicine would become mainstream. By not spending half their income on taxes, people would have more money for their future. If someone gambled it all away, snorted it up their nose, or lavished themselves with luxuries, that was his right - and his personal responsibility - to handle the consequences. If we were personally accountable for our actions, fewer people would engage in wasteful behavior. Without government telling us how to spend our money, we could decide which charities or causes to support. If I want to donate to help with someone's health costs, I will. If I see George W. Bush passed out on the sidewalk, I have the right to not contribute to his recovery program. At present, we are conditioned to demand the government solve our problems. With bailout after bailout, it's easy to understand why the masses aren't worried. The Knight in Shining Armor is at the gates of the fortress because Hollywood tells us it is so….
Bush is about to unleash a nuclear war and no one seems to care. This is why I felt the need to leave the US. I just don't believe enough people care. It's easier to slap a global warming bumper sticker on your car than it is to stop a government from murdering its own.

Whether people like it or not, they must choose. Support a nuclear war or do something. I wish I could do something to stop this madness. No one person can do it. If we don't work collectively now, we will all be working in Halliburton-built collectives much like the Soviet and German prisoners….

Posted by: liquified viscera | August 05, 2007 at 10:08 PM

…While I'm all for keeping our environment clean, governments cannot make that happen, since government is the largest polluter and destroyer of the environment that there is.

I agree that secession is the only thing that can save this former republic. The federal government has usurped so much power over the states (in violation of our Constitution) that the states can never recover it. May more people become enlightened of this fact before it's too late!!

Posted by: Tonesg | August 05, 2007 at 11:10 PM

I agree on secession, its a great idea. I believe Ron Paul has the answers to save America, but if we come up short, secession is an option.

Posted by: Tarun K Juyal | August 06, 2007 at 06:09 AM
Already done: http://www.freestateproject.org

Posted by: Jolly Roger | August 06, 2007 at 06:39 AM

Secession is an answer. Unfortunately, the US Federal Government already proved (in 1865) beyond any shadow of a doubt that any States that assert rights to themselves will not be tolerated.

One other solution is to have a President brave enough to dismantle his own government; this is why Ron Paul is so very dangerous and why he is being hamstrung by the media... because he might actually do it.
Posted by: ShadesOfKnight | August 06, 2007 at 09:11 AM

You might be on to something here. Others agree:
http://vermontrepublic.org/
Posted by: bonanzaman | August 06, 2007 at 10:38 AM

Secession is the only answer for a gov't that continues to violate our rights:

They violate the 1st Amendment by opening mail, caging demonstrators and banning books like "America Deceived" from Amazon.
They violate the 2nd Amendment by confiscating guns during Katrina.
They violate the 4th Amendment by conducting warrant-less wiretaps.
They violate the 5th and 6th Amendment by suspending habeas corpus.
They violate the 8th Amendment by torturing.
They violate the entire Constitution by starting 2 illegal wars based on lies and on behalf of a foreign gov't.
Support Dr. Ron Paul or force secession.

Posted by: Director | August 06, 2007 at 03:33 P

For more information on the growing global secession movement, visit to www.MiddleburyInstitute.org.