Ron Paul Defends Secession: "Very Much American" (VIDEO)

Texas Governor Rick Perry may be on the receiving end of some political mockery for his recent endorsement of his home state's right to secede from the country. But he has the backing of one decidedly anti-establishment Republican from the Lone Star State.

Rep. Ron Paul released a video on Sunday offering support for the principles of secession, calling them "very much American." And he described Perry's recent talk about pulling Texas out of the union a discussion worth having.

"We came together voluntarily," said Paul. "A free society means you can resolve it voluntarily."

The decidedly libertarian Texas Republican and former presidential candidate is one of the few elected national figures to offer support for the stance taken by his governor. And it's not unexpected. The tea parties that Paul's candidacy helped galvanize were the same forum where Perry expressed some of his sentiments.

In his video address, Paul framed talk of secession as a uniquely American right, pulled straight from the same thread as the American Revolution.

[Perry] really stirred some of the liberal media, where they started screaming about: 'what is going on here, this is un-American.' I heard one individual say 'this is treasonous to even talk about it.' Well, they don't know their history very well, because when you think about it... it is very American to talk about secession. That's how we came in being. Thirteen colonies seceded from the British and established a new country. So secession is a very much American principle. What about all the strong endorsements we have give the past decade or two to all the republics that seceded from the soviet system? We were delighted about it.

"I think it is worth a discussion," said Paul, later in his four-and-a-half minute long video. "I think people should discuss this. Because right now the American people are sick and tired of it all. And I think the time will come when people will consider it much more seriously, is when the federal government can no longer deliver. That will come when the dollar collapses."

The real obstacle to any such discussion, in the end, is legal as much as political. The Joint Resolution Annexing Texas to the United States of 1845 allows for Texas to be drawn into five separate states but not secede from the union.

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Comments

[NewArtz]

12:45 PM on 05/06/2009

Individual rights certainly gives each of us the right to choose what government to which we will submit, but at what point do I have to leave my state to get to property that is not controlled by a "government" which declares my federal government its enemy. I expect my federal government to protect my right to be a citizen of the United States even if the state government attempts to go to war with America. I live in Georgia, and they cherish a history of treason and treachery. Will loyal Americans have to flee a government which sets the Stars and Stripes as their enemy, abandoning their home and property, or will the United States of America protect the rights of its citizens from leadership that abandons our nation to create their own power? America allows a great deal of freedom for states, even those states which persecute their own citizens, however, if those states insist on drawing a line in the sand. I choose the land of my forefathers as opposed those who tried to destroy the United States of America. The Democrats in the south were insane at one time. Now the Republicans are insane, but the glory of our Republic, and the freedom of our Democracy isn't up for grabs by any party. Prosecute those in government who seek to overthrow it. If "we the people" want to change things, we will do it without their guns, thank you.

[Chris Papas]

11:02 AM on 04/22/2009

A little-known fact of the Constitution is that two of the largest states -- Virginia and New York -- made the right to withdraw from the union explicit in their acceptance of the Constitution. And in such an agreement between parties as is represented by the Constitution, a right claimed by one is allowed to all.

[wbramh]

08:57 PM on 05/10/2009

A fact SO little known that your "little-known fact" doesn't even appear in the Constitution.
And had it appeared, Virginia would have had no reason to (illegally) repeal the Constitution on May 23rd, 1861.
Of course, that latter-day attempt by Virginia to remove itself from the United States ran into a few problems (as you may or may not recall).

Unfortunately for Separatist screwballs, there are still laws against TREASON and that's what it's called.

Oh how quickly those mandatory little American flag tie-pins that proved their loyalty to the Union have become a nuisance to Wingnuts.

Is it the black President? Is that what finally caused them to show their own true colors?
Yeah. That's what we (loyal Americans) believe to be the real problem here.
Well, Mr. Obama's 70% approval rating, I don't think putting mustard on a hamburger will bring everything crashing down around him (despite becoming the latest Republican Lost Cause).
I'm afraid the Constitution doesn't mention condiment-matching, either.

[amadorjon]

04:24 PM on 04/21/2009

I think the very question is interesting, and since the debate began, has caused me to go back and affirm my views on the rights of man.....

most of you blind partisans only say exactly what the bi'line in the news has trained you to.......

go read something unfiltered! Some John Locke, some Thomas Jefferson, some Henry Thoreau, some Thomas Paine, and as if this government of corruption and bailouts and tyrannical taxes and intrusion is what this countrys founders intended!

I am not a blind conservative, very liberal on some issues, but I also affirm the inalienable rights of man to decide what kind of governace they see fit, and if texas wants to freely secede and elect a poodle, then so be it! the states form the union! all power is dirived from the states, if it were not intended so, then a change to the constitution would not have to be ratified by the states before it could be implemented!

[patricksmom]

04:56 PM on 04/22/2009

I think that Thomas Jefferson and other founders gave us ample means to contol our government. What they didn't count on was the low level of intellect and education,,,,that are so fostered by the far right.

[Daniel Schmid]

01:48 PM on 04/21/2009

Oh my gosh... Ron Paul, a conservative Constitutional Republican is for states' rights? How unexpected....

[jsgaetano]

01:11 PM on 04/21/2009

Why does Ron Paul hate America?

[FreidaPeeple]

01:06 PM on 04/21/2009

Talk of secession is treason! Great. Where do I sign up? Ron Paul for President of Texas! We'll ditch the U.S. and invade Mexico and get it right this time!

[o2bFREE76]

11:40 AM on 04/21/2009

Before labeling Ron Paul as a secessionist, please view his interview on CNN from this morning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt0aDpWWLvg

Notice how he laughs at Perry and the silliness of the hype. This all began with Texas reaffirming it's 10th amendment rights and then naturally (or NOT) escalated to secession talk. 33 states so far this year have proposed similar resolutions. 33 STATES!!! 33 STATES!!! 33 33 33 33 !!!!!! HAHA WAKE UP!!! http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/02/23/state-sovereignty-resolutions/ Many of you here talking down Texas probably live in one of these states. I would also like to point out to the North vs. South race baiters that quite a few of these "treasonous" (lol) states are north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Why do you wish to be governed so? If it was not for the federal usurpers, we would be living in peace and prosperity and launching manned missions to Mars from our base on the dark side of the moon.

Ron Paul wants to save liberals too!!!

[jsgaetano]

01:36 PM on 04/21/2009

> and launching manned missions to Mars from our base on the dark side of the moon.

Put down the bong, Pink Floyd.

[Badfickle]

02:40 PM on 04/21/2009

"if it was not for the federal usurpers, we would be living in peace and prosperity and launching manned missions to Mars from our base on the dark side of the moon."

And we would have fairies deliver our mail, everyone would ride unicorns, rivers would flow with chocolate OH MY!

[Gabe Ochoa]

11:17 AM on 04/21/2009

Seccession should be threatened to the Feds when states rights are no longer upheld. Ron Paul says that if seccession were talked about more seriously when the federal govt began its foray into socialism (YEARS AGO) it could have helped slow or stop its spread through our entire system. I don't think Dr. Paul wishes to hurt our "republic", everything he's been doing for so many years points to the fact that he is in favor of restoring rights not eliminating them. He is in favor of equality for all races, not just WHITE men. Not just the south. It is hard to seperate the trash from the treasures in congress. But when there are so few good men in congress at least take the time to know some of them. If you're not a part of the solution . . .

[jsgaetano]

01:41 PM on 04/21/2009

The Republican party has ALWAYS used "States Rights" as code for a state's right to unfairly discriminate against black people (including lynchings).

We saw how much Republicans cared about non-racial discrimination based States Rights when the GOP prevented California from regulating CO2 (as required by law under the Clean Air Act).

Conservatives have never cared about freedom, or America. Never have, never will.

[Gabe Ochoa]

03:29 PM on 04/21/2009

what I said about Dr. Paul's ideals I get from his speeches and bills and actions. I don't know if he secretly hates black people. I wouldn't think so because of said speeches, bills and actions. I think the main problem is this 2 party system. The fact is that the two party's in power will continue to pretend to give a shiz about our "problems" so that it seems as though they care. Passing meaningless legislation that does nothing good for us, nor does it solve any problems. Being republican to me means the same thing as being democrat. I can't swallow the crap that most republicans spew now about "too much govt spending". So i agree that some republicans do not care about freedom or America but I could care less what party Dr. Paul decides he's a member of because its his ideals that I would follow not his party.

[amadorjon]

04:49 PM on 04/21/2009

actually, and I'm not trying to be partisan here (as I am neither a republican nor a dem), but I really am astounded that people know so little of history, but it was democrats in the senate that encouraged the secession of the south in the run up to the civil war.....

it was also southern democrats that tryed to stop the civil rights act of 1964 (al gores Sr. voted against it!)

check out the democrats votes on the civil rights act of 1964
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964#By_party_and_region

how do you like those southern democrats???
know your history before you start spouting off rhetoric!

cant youi all see this petty arguing is accomplishing nothing. The country is mired in this endless partisan debate, while the house is burning around us! vote third party, isn't it obvious after Bush, and with obamas bailouts, and Barney Frank and Chris Dodds improprieties that both parties are in bed with big BIG business........

and we wont even mention how crooks like ted stevens get out of their stiucky situations

[patricksmom]

04:21 PM on 04/21/2009

Ron Paul is not part of the solution.....health care reform advocates better fit that description.

[Celldumceen]

09:30 AM on 04/21/2009

Make perfect sense that Ron Paul would take this tact! Now that Republicans know that people are not buying into their dogma the next step is to foment civil unrest! Can u image what the right wing would have said if six years ago when George Bush was lying into a war the governor of a blue had hinted at the breakup of the United States? The problem tho for the GOP again even in the south is demographics! Even is states that r considered red, the conservative domination of the politics of most of those states is shrinking! Pretty soon there will no safe zone for them to hide from all the people they hate, the blacks, the Jews, the immigrants, the gays, poor people, the feminists and the non-conservatives in general!

[bluestatelib]

10:26 AM on 04/21/2009

This nutball talk and kinky teabagging is the dying gasps of old conservative (Southern) white men angered and disappointed because their time has finally passed. It's actually quite enjoyable seeing them suffer.

[AndyWright68]

10:45 AM on 04/21/2009

See it's comments like this that are so anti-American.

bluestatelib: nutball talk, kinky teabagging, white men, enjoyable seeing them suffer

This is the attitude of a scared socialist. He/she or heshe shows how nervous they are of the rising popularity of freedom and liberty. The fact that there are so many comments outraged at Ron Paul's video also proves Obama worshipers are very worried and they should be.

[AndyWright68]

09:06 AM on 04/21/2009

Texas is only the beginning. Ron Paul is right. The American people are waking up to the facts:

- Illegal warrantless surveillance and wiretapping of American citizens will continue under Obama.

- Top Bush administration officials who ordered torture and those that carried it out will be protected from prosecution under Obama.

- Top Bush administration officials who deceived America into a war will be protected from prosecution under Obama.

- The expansion of the military empire through continued occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and further military incursions into Pakistan will continue and expand under Obama.

- Banker bailouts, reckless spending, inflation of currency through overprinting and global regulations stifling the free market, all of which were initiated under Bush, will continue under Obama.

- The militarization of the United States and the architecture of the police state that was set up under Bush will be preserved and expanded under Obama.

- The attack on the second amendment right to bear arms will continue under Obama.

The egregious spending will continue, government will balloon in size, American soldiers will be used as cannon fodder for more interventionist wars of the military-industrial complex, U.S. citizens will continue to have their phone calls tapped and their rights curtailed and the Federal Reserve will continue to rule the financial system with an iron fist while the middle class is squeezed out of existence.

Who can deny that all those things have only intensified under the Obama administration?

[profco]

09:30 AM on 04/21/2009

Interesting--nearly all of the faults you are finding with the United States of American were engineered by Texans. Erosion of civil liberties? Thank Texas Republican Alberto Gonzalez. Imperialistic wars? Thank George W. Bush, the Crawford, TX "rancher" who now admits he doesn't know the first thing about ranching and has no plans to resume it now that he doesn't need the photo ops. Banker bailouts? Thank Texan Phil Gramm, who took all the red lights and stop signs off the financial road to ruin. Imagine if McCain had won and Gramm were the Treasury Secretary now!

While you're remember the Alamo, don't forget that all of its defenders died or surrendured to the Mexicans. Adios, amigos! Vaya con dios.

[AndyWright68]

09:45 AM on 04/21/2009

Bush and Obama are buddies. That's gotta hurt. Stop being a follower. Every president since JFK has caused the problems that Obama will continue to make worse. You would be better off joining the revolution then supporting tyranny.

[Hirnlego]

09:46 AM on 04/21/2009

He is also right that private armies should fight the pirates.

The next step is to have that in USA. Private armies fighting in a free system competing for what is right and wrong..

[AndyWright68]

10:05 AM on 04/21/2009

I know it's easier to look at the pirates as people that need to fought but I would suggest looking at the reasons why they are so desperate and why the people of Somali are so supportive. There is a bigger picture here that should be considered. http://restoreourrights.blogspot.com/

BTW We already have private armies thanks to Reagen, Clinton and Bush. You've been paying for them for decades (if you're that old)

[patricksmom]

04:25 PM on 04/21/2009

Yeah let's pay Haliburton outrageous fees to pay merceneries.

[StephJH]

08:51 AM on 04/21/2009

Before we continue the talk of Texas secession, let's remember the last time some states tried it. A bloody civil war ensued as one of our greatest presidents worked to hold the Union together because the Union was/is worth holding together.

The war pitted family against family, brother against brother or as Lincoln put it after the costliest of battles, they gave "...the last full measure of devotion ..."

Let's NOT revive civil unrest for cheap partisan political gains.

Think!

[profco]

08:27 AM on 04/21/2009

Texas should have seceded from the US a long time ago. George W. Bush would not have been president, Alberto Gonzalez would not have headed the Justice Dept. Ron Paul wouldn't have been elected to Congress. Phil Gramm wouldn't have served in the House or Senate and wouldn't have pushed through the deregulation that brought about the current financial debacle. The list goes on and on. Tell Perry to take his kleptocracy and go, and to leave his US passport on the desk on his way out!

[Sabreen60]

09:07 AM on 04/21/2009

Yes, and don't call us - we'll call you. Oh and BTW, we're going to move all the fed installations (including military bases) out of your new country. And if you want FEMA to help the next time a hurricane destroys one of your new country, expect to be charged for their help.

[thebirdstheword]

08:01 AM on 04/21/2009

so, by paul's logic, we were really being good BRITS by wanting to escape England's control, not good AMERICANS.

paul's logic is extremely faulty.

i never followed this guy, but at least i sort of admired his campaign's grass roots efforts.

now i see that he is just another politician, spewing half ass logic and trying to justify things.

[1differentdrummer]

06:37 AM on 04/21/2009

Yes it's very American, but isn't it unintelligent, uneducated American?

[RButler]

03:34 AM on 04/21/2009

There's part of me that likes succession. I live in the Antelope Valley part of Los Angeles County and I wish we could secede and form our own county. We pay more in taxes than we get in benefits. It mostly goes to Los Angeles as they have more political clout. The San Fernando Valley has wanted to secede from the city of LA for the same reasons but they need the city of LA to vote in favor of it. Fat chance. Heck. I wish California could also succeed from the US as it's a donor state and we get nothing but grief, not gratitude, from those southern recipient states who never seem to be able to make it on their own.

But, I still think it's good for the US to remain intact as it is as it gives us power with regard to the rest of the world.