alternately titled: Secession is Stupid

Texas homeschooling is pretty easy.  Basically, we are treated as private schools- and private schools are more or less unregulated.  Texas basically says we have to use books (bona fide written curriculum) and teach reading, math, and Texas history.

I thought I would share some of that Texas history for all of you.  I’m sure y’all have seen the news about the Secession Petitions.  There’s now at least one from every state.  For Texas (and Vermont), this is pretty much the status quo. There’s always a small faction of people who want to secede.  This latest petition is a little different- so over 100,000 people have signed the Texas document

Some facts, for your consideration, before deciding “SECESSION” is the way to go.

Texas Secession

• Texas seceded from the Union once before, on Feb. 1, 1861.  Four years of war later in April 1865, we were back in the fold.

• The Supreme Court does not recognize state’s right to secede, and terms it insurrection.  In fact, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas in the Civil War had never left the union because statehood is perpetual. (Texas v White, 1869)

• Secession in the Constitution? Nope.

• The only way to leave the Union is a full scale revolution.  Think you want that?  Please rewatch The Patriot, and observe how everyone’s children were shot and their houses burned to the ground, then consider that the US military has drones so the slaughter of civilians can be automated.  Don’t forget the crops were burned (and with a blockade, how will HEB restock?)

• Congress cannot declare war on states.  The Civil War was not a declared war (by the US Government, anyway).

• The PRESIDENT has the power to block ports and put down insurrections. Yes, the act of secession gives OBAMA THE POWER TO DECLARE WAR ON TEXAS without having to go through Congress.  All of the people who want to secede because of Obama’s policies, you really need to consider the full implications of this.

• By the way, don’t fault Gov. Rick Perry for not supporting secession.  He can’t.  He’s a sworn government official and to publicly promote and support “insurrection” would be called treason.

Oh, and there’s the little matter of finances.   Currently Texas receives $.91 in various benefits from the US Government for every $1 we send in.  So, we’re subsidizing the other states in the Union by .09 for every dollar.  Surely we could use that money for ourselves, right?

Questions for the Secession Movement:

• Do Texans have the will to pay for everything ourselves?  Are we ready to pay for our own schools (IDEA act? School lunch program? Will we abolish?  If we do, then what?)

• Are we ready to field an army for defense for Texas, virtually surrounded by the United States and the most powerful military in the world AND defend the international border too?    How much will our taxes have to increase in order to finance a world class army from scratch?  Remember the Union has been building up bases, procedures, weapons and ammo, and stockpiles for centuries and has a fortune invested in technology – some of that Texas money.  We could never duplicate that level of investment and spending.

• What about our seniors, since they’ll no longer be part of the system of Social Security and Medicare?  One of the sticking points inspiring cries for secession are out of control entitlements. Are we going to do away with SS and Medicare (for seniors who have paid INTO the system?)  What about food stamps, Medicaid, etc. Is Texas going to replace those programs or not?  If not, then are we willing to let children die (it will happen.)  If so, then isn’t Texas just replacing the Federal government with the same system of entitlements?

• How strong will our economy be if Obama orders the Navy to blockade the Port of Houston and imposes stiff tariffs on Texas goods?

• Are we ready for skyrocketing unemployment as NASA and military bases (and associated businesses and industries) shut down?  Most Texans are not self sufficient, and millions are not landowners at all.  It’s not like they can go back to farming and trading for sugar and coffee to stock their cabins.

• Do we have the infrastructure, the equipment, and the will to put down riots in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth, riots which are inevitable when the food stamps, social security checks, food trucks, and paychecks stop coming?  Remember, calling in the National Guard will not be an option.

• What about our infrastructure?  Can Texas handle it if we are cut off the electric grid and see our oil pipelines blocked?

• The FEDERAL income tax will have to be replaced by a TEXAS income tax, but revenues will be less than what we send to the Feds because unemployment will be high and corporations will flee.  You really think Halliburton is going to stick around?  How long will Big Oil last in Texas if the US blocks off the port and oil pipelines and refuses to buy from Texas refineries?

How will we feed and educate all these Texans while defending our borders and fighting an inevitable war with the US?  How long will people stand behind a movement when they have no jobs, no insurance, no money, and their kids are crying for food?

I haven’t seen any answers to these questions.  The answer to our current oligarchy (some would say kleptocracy) and over federalization of all aspects of our lives isn’t secession, it’s reformation and – dare I suggest it- civil disobedience.

I’m not sure Texans even have the stomach for that.

What do you think?  Should we go it alone?  Is there something I am not considering?