Do the states have the right to secede?

[merrimac]

Note that this is not asking if states ought to secede. Just if they have a Constitutional right.

[jsu718]

Not all of them. You'd have to go through the state constitutions. I know Texas has it written in theirs that as a state it is subject only to the Constitution of Texas. Membership in the union was voluntary and can be revoked. Some states may have it written in that they cannot withdraw from the union or that it is subject to acts of Congress or the US Constitution.

[Edu]

You have to ask yourself if the sovereign people have the right to break away from the government they created.

Was there an agreement that they would never secede?

[Johnnybags]

If I remember correctly, the only one that has the right specific is Texas. I think they were not going to join without it long ago. The problem is its Washington DC that has seceded already from the states with all its unconstitutional doings. The first state that actually tries, I'll move to.

[Dieseler]

Secession if legal, would mean total and economic destruction. They would essentially cut you off from the world and build a wall sorta like the one they need to build along the border with mexico.
That is if they didn't just rape and burn you into submission instead.
They have already done this before.
There is no hope of secession period.

Man.. I'm on a bad doom trip today, please excuse me.

[TrappedInSocialistSweden]

Secession if legal, would mean total and economic destruction. They would essentially cut you off from the world and build a wall sorta like the one they need to build along the border with mexico.


I dont think the federal government is even capable of building a wall, they can hardly do anything right.

From what ive heard, and read, New Hampshire also has the power to seced from the US.

[FreeTraveler]

You have to ask yourself if the sovereign people have the right to break away from the government they created.

Was there an agreement that they would never secede?

Bingo! Anyone has the RIGHT to secede from any "agreement" at any time. The correct question is, "Is it POSSIBLE to secede from the U.S.A.?"

At the moment, I think the answer is no, but it's just because we haven't found the way to do it yet. Smart people always win over dumb people, that's a long-term historical trend.

[Johnnybags]

How about if a state raised its state tax to 35%-50% or so, the write off on Federal forms would get most people to owing zippo. From there the state issues foregivable loans to all its citizens up to the amount of tax less say 5 percent at .00000000001 percent interest. Bingo, no more money to Washington, just kidding but would make a great movie. Still part of the USA but annexed Washington out of the equation.

[spudea]

Constitutionally, yes. After lincoln, no. The Union is not allowed to break up. All states are submissive to the federal government. If a state wishes to secede, they better be ready for nuclear war.

[tamor]

If any state could, it would be TX ---- whoopee

[hlcno]

California would be the best state fo secede. There GOP would more then take care of themselves and really put a thorn in the feds side. I wish states would stop taking federal hand outs, they would be better off on there own.

[constitutional]

"Just if they have a Constitutional right."

Do they have Constitutional right? Yes

Can they use it? NO unless they want to fight a bloody battle of U.S. vs. state. Why didn't lincoln let south go? Instead he claimed those states were under rebellion when they left the union.

Therefore, I voted no.

[constitutional]

Constitutionally, yes. After lincoln, no. The Union is not allowed to break up. All states are submissive to the federal government. If a state wishes to secede, they better be ready for nuclear war.

Right on.

[ConstitutionGal]

The 'civil' was settled by force of arms what could not be done Constitutionally. The states did/do have the Constitutional right to secede and even many people in the northern states understood this before the civil war. This is why the slavery issue was dragged into the mess - to get people involved on the emotional level as opposed to the intellectual level laid out in the voluntary union of the states.

[seapilot]

A complete and total economic collapse with no more federal dollars being sent to help states, and states trying to prop up bogus federal programs with thier own money will bring about serious considerations of sucession for the more independent states that have thier own economies and resources.

Texas, California, NW Washington Idaho Oregon Montana, SE USA could all split off. All it takes is one to do it succesfully and the rest will start to go. Look at what happened to the Soviet Union collapsed, Rome, and the British Empire.

[sophocles07]

This question is really useless; there is no possibility that a) it would ever happen (in the next few lifetimes), or b) that it would work if a state did secede (i.e. they would be either scared into backing down, or utterly destroyed Sherman-style).

[Dieseler]

Then the Wars would start between states over water and shit like that.
I wouldn't want to be killing Georgians or Mississippians over stuff like that every time I went fishing.
Not that I can go fishing anymore cause the Hooch is a festering pool of shit now, but anyway just the same.
Best to clean Old Lady Liberty up and keep her altogether I think.

[Southron]

Theoretically states have the right to secede. Practically, not really. The best way to go about this would be to do like Taiwan. Secession in all but name. In the meantime, you build up your self sufficiency, weapons, and training.

Imagine if a state that did secede had control of a nuclear weapon. What could the feds do then? One nuke on D.C. and the federal government would be in shambles. I doubt they'd try anything if a state had that for bargaining. Just look how afraid we are that Iran has a nuclear weapon. Once they get one, we will treat them more like North Korea, or China.

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