Topic: Fomenting Democracy
Toward An Independent Republic of California Should a vibrant California allow itself to be dragged down by a declining United States?by Ben Samuel
(centrist)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The American Empire is in decline. It suffers the same fate as all empires. It finds itself unable to sustain itself as it extends its reach beyond its borders in an effort to command elements dissident to its interests. Its apparent impotence emboldens its competitors. A tyrannical minority has gained control of its reigns of government, spends its treasure in pursuit of invisible enemies, and spirals its people downward to a path of feudalism.
Nearly 150 years ago, an American identity was consolidated by the conclusion of the Civil War, or the War of Secession. That war ended badly for the secessionists and the general wisdom today is the preeminence of the federal government over that of the states. It took a war to settle that issue then, but is the federal government in such a position to settle similar issues by war now? In fact, serious debate of the issue would do well to quell the imperial ambitions of that tyrannical minority.
California is a great benefactor to the United States contributing twenty percent or better of the revenue received by the federal government. Eleven percent of all Americans reside within its borders. Its reward for such benevolence is to be generally cast as "kooky" by its sister states. Its contribution to the wealth of the nation is generally used antithetically to the interests of California citizens. The federal government penalizes Californians because of their success. Its tax impositions are designed for such penalty. In the halls where the voice of the nation is expressed, the California voice is suppressed. Why should any self-respecting entity continue to endure such affrontery?
California is perfectly capable of managing its own affairs. But for the federal tax burden upon its citizens, and the mandates of federal social programs, California would have minimal fiscal problems. In fact, it is capable of supporting a separate currency, maintaining a positive balance of trade, and engaging successfully in international relations. Except for its relationship to the United States, it would not likely be a target to terrorist interests. Given the mismanagement of the United States, California's interests will not be served, and it ought not to allow itself to be marched off the cliff with the other lemmings.
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 9 thumbs so far
The views expressed in this
article are those of Ben Samuel only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Ben Samuel is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
I've been representing So. Cal for 18 years now and I have a few agreements and disagreements.
First off, California would indeed be economically well off without U.S. backing and would survive just fine. Or so you'd think. California has managed to spend itself into a debt that have left people wondering what Sacramento is really doing. Govenor Schwarzenegger originally called for a 10% cut of ALL programs. Including education. That drove Liberals up the wall as we certainly couldn't take away money froma failing system (sarcasm intended). So now, the Govenator has said Sacramento needs to 'put everything on the table' when it comes to budget proposals. Directly reffering to 'tax-loopholes' that the government has, because our government DEFINATELY needs more money (despite the fact California earned over $30 million more in tax revenue from 4 years ago).
Over run by illegal aliens, our healthcare system is WAY out of shape and the liberally controlled congress is aiming to give liscenses to illegals, thus giving them every right that every tax paying citizen enjoys. Because California is readily accepting REAL ID and other Federalprograms, readily, it costs the state untold amounts of cash. Liberals think that spending more money is the answer to all of our problems, but the simple truth is that we need to start our health care and K-12 school districts from scratch.
California is a mess right now, and while it could survive as its own nation, we just have way too many problems right now.
California is net negative $200 Billion+ by what our citizens send to the U.S. and receive back from them in assistance. US programs only complicate our problems. Culturally, we have more in common with Mexico than with the other US states. Our immigration problem would be manageable but for the confusion on policy of the US.
California would be more nimble on its own to address the Healthcare problem and would likely move rapidly to a sigle payer system Employers are more likely to support such an effort now as they do not want Healthcare expense to be a bottom line consideration.
Finally, if you think California has problems now, watch what happens as we continue to affiliate with a rapidly declining US.
What would happen to all of the people on liberally based programs? (Social Security, Medicare, etc.) It would simply be impossible to do all of that. Not to mention how pissed of D.C. would be as they would throw their entire army against us, likely.
Living in another country does not disqualify you from your earned Social Security. The amount our people receive from other social programs would easily be offset by the savings we would recieve by no longer having a federal tax liability, for most of those cocial programs carry State mandates. Many of those programs mandated by the federal government already cost the state more than they receive from the Dederal government if they receive anything at all.
The army is in no condition to engage another battlefront and especially not against its own people,
Interesting thoughts. It is hard to manage a state the size California (8th largest economy in the world) within the context of the federal one size fits all response. In fairness to everyone you cannot manage South Dakota the same way you manage California and vice versa. Say what you will about California, but 15 states don't even possess a budget the size of the current budget deficit of California. However, given the pretense for this column, could the US get along without 20 percent of its tax base, 11 percent of its GDP and 10 percent of its population, let along the technological innovations and world renowned higher education system? Rhetorically, doubtful. But a keen eye for reforms of and to the deployment of programs is clearly needed. But in the meantime-United We Stand, Divided We Fall.
No one ever seems to mention that united you can fall too, but the fallacy lies in the assumption that the US is united. Our military and our Federal Reserve system have accomplished much in creating a patronage system for our society. Their apparent gluttony has taken the country over the edge and that which is about to befall it will be a disaster of proportions unknown to living Americans. The question is does California wish to be victimized by the disaster,or does it want to take a proactive course to avoid as much of the maelstrom as it can.
Every State delegated, by the Consent of its Citizens, power and authority to the federal government. A subordinate cannot delegate power and authority, it can only receive that power and authority from a superior or Sovereign Power.
In other words, it is time that the State Republics once again restore their Rightful Place as the ones who delegates and grants power and authority instead of acting as though the federal government is Constitutionally superior. The State Republics voluntarily assented to the Ratification of the Constitution which formed the Union that Reflected the Will of the Several States and accordingly, those Several States can and should stand upon that Constitutionally superior position.
It would have been impossible for the States to have "divided" or "divested" themselves of their Sovereignty to a "national government", if that was the case then there would no longer be any advantage or need for State Constitutions or governments or State elections for that matter. That was not the case.
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
