Threats of Secession and Other Recent Republican Rhetoric

Am I the only one who upon reading that the governor of Texas has now referred to the possibility of seceding from the union as one of "a lot of different scenarios", wondered why the good people of Texas hadn't thought of that before the 2000 election. On a more serious note, this latest GOP tactic seems, at first, more surreal than offensive. Texas, of course, will not secede from the US. The threat of secession is not a realistic one but it suggests that the fabric of our democracy may be woven far less tightly than we would like to think.

Extreme partisan rancor is never pretty, but in a democracy like ours probably far more common and unavoidable than we would like to think. Dressing up in revolutionary war costumes, calling for the overthrow of the government and waving teabags at the behest of wealthy right wing funders is, while a little pathetic and strange, well within the realm of constitutionally protected behavior and may even play a somewhat constructive role in our democracy. The notion that Obama is a socialist because he wants a minor tax increase for a tiny fraction of Americans and would prefer to spend our treasure on helping people rather than on conducting wars of dubious origin or intention is more than a little strange, but if a small minority of people want to assert it, that is again well within their rights.

Floating the idea of secession over this, even in a somewhat tongue in cheek manner, is a very different story. The history of secession in the US is not a pretty one. It was tried once and the seceding states were brought back into the union, but the cost was high as the country was torn apart by what was, at that time, one of the bloodiest wars in human history.

The issues dividing Republicans and Democrats today are relatively mild, mainstream partisan issues, obviously not at all comparable to those which divided our country on the eve of the Civil War. Democrats and Republicans are fighting over a few percentage points in the tax rate for the richest Americans, increased domestic spending, and greater environmental, financial and other regulation. This is, frankly, ordinary and not all that interesting partisan fare which, in many respects, was not too different during the administrations of Roosevelt, Reagan, Clinton or many other presidents. That is why these threats and rhetoric are so concerning. Nobody really threatens secession over a mild increase in the tax rate or over a spending plan. Nobody really calls for revolution because the government is trying to spend too much on infrastructure.

Why then are Republicans willing to talk about revolution, secession and other ideas that would destabilize our country and our democracy. One hopes that most of this can be simply chalked up to a party that is weak, defeated, directionless and out of ideas, but it may not be that simple. Perhaps the demonstrators and, more significantly their leaders, feel that for some existential, and undoubtedly irrational, reason the Obama presidency is a profound threat to their worldview, values and vision of the US. If that is the case we can only hope that these people remain on the margins. This is likely to occur as Obama's worldview, values and vision not only reflect those of a huge plurality of Americans, but will likely to continue to become more, not less, accepted over time.

The teabag protests and calls for secession and revolution followed a few days after a Homeland Security report outlined the threat posed by right wing extremists. This report, which, given that the second worst terrorist attack in our history was perpetrated by right wing extremists, may be something of an elucidation of the obvious, was met by predictable protests in many conservative corners. However, those on the far right can't have it both ways, calling for revolution and secession on the one hand, while protesting a report raising concerns about right wing extremist violence on the other.

Undoubtedly, many will argue that the words of Governor Perry should not be taken seriously because they were said in the excitement of a rally and were certainly meant to be hyperbolic. This is not convincing because public officials understand that words and statements matter. That is why elected officials are constantly making speeches, talking to reporters and sending out emails.

Governor Perry threat was in many ways the political equivalent of a child's threat to take his marbles and go home if he does not win a dispute. While it is easy and comforting to think that Perry cannot take his marbles and go home because he has already lost his, the failure of any GOP leaders to criticize his statement or remind Perry and his party that we are one union and a governor should not allude to secession lightly suggests that the problem is worse than that and may not be going away anytime soon.

Comments

[tandrmcdonald]

It should be obvious by now that the Republican Party has lost its compass. The party of Abraham Lincoln has degenerated into a gang of scientifically ignorant, financially self-serving, superstitious moral and religious thugs. As a political party they have done more to divide otherwise intelligent, rational people in America than any other person, group or principle. They are rapidly becoming suitable only for comic relief and outright public derision.
Although some Democrats hail this as a good thing ( With apologies to Martha Stewart) the demise of the Republican party isn't necessarily of benefit to anyone. Are Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin, John Boehner and Newt Gingrich the best they can present as their public face? Is Glenn Beck the closest they can bring themselves to rational discussion? It is a shame, one they seem reluctant to do anything to change.

[JohnButrus]

What is a " Right Wing Terrorist?"

What is the definition of "Rich?"

[Checquoline]

I say let them go. They will be taking George Bush with them. We won't let them back in when they come begging and trying to sneak back over the boarder. If the people of Texas don't really want to secede they will vote this stupid governor out. I bet he wishes he had never suggested it.

[spartacusfalcon]

"what part do you want to fail? the socialist part." priceless. it's amazing to see that the general public can't even read a book, or search the internet to understand the basics of things they apparently so greatly despise. To think that Marxist thought has been debased as equal to dictatorial totalitarian statehood should be disheartening to anyone who values intellect. to think that socialist thought has been reduced to higher taxes than 27%, and nationalized health care is also pretty sad. To think that Americans view Canada, and England as socialists, again, pretty sad. But I guess that's what most of the middle aged people today, who were sold US propaganda against the USSR about what socialism and communism are, think. It's worse to think that most kids today are taught the same thing in school, or that their parents simply get them to believe it. Education and Curiosity really are dead in America.

[tandrmcdonald]

Note to spartacusfalcon;
Not so fast birdman. A whole lot of us middle-aged people think for ourselves and always have. Before you condemn an entire generation, (mine) maybe you should do what you criticize others for not doing. Read a book. Don't make assumptions about a whole segment of society based on your own narrow perceptions and social tunnel vision. Bigotry isn't just about race, religion or ethnicity. Your prejudices are showing.
Gramma Rose

[SamSeven]

This takes the Cake!
The Boston Tea Party was against the taxes imposed by the British upon the colonies. I alwaus loved the idea of the Tea Party, a symbolic gesture to end undue taxes upon the population.

I like to ask everyone here ..where do you think the 1 Trillion Dollars is going to come from? Anyone? How come Geither, Summers, Paulson, Bernanke and the Wall Street gang in prison? How come they are not in the streets being tarred and feathered? Where is the Justice? Where are the Federal marshalls?

The Federal Reserve is going to SQUEEZE every last dime and penny out of the American population. The Federal Reserve is a PRIVATE institution owned by Bank of England owned by the Bank of International Securities.

The whole Left-Right Paradigm is a scam only to keep the population amused while the International Bankers have all the CONTROL.

The Republicans jumped on board only to save their skin and to point their fingers at Obama. The song and dance begins all over again. It was all Bush's fault and now it's Obama;s fault. Same BS.

The Bankers want everyone divided. They have it down to a science.

[MikeLicht]

Rick Perry: If at First You Don’t Secede ….

See

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/04/18/if-at-first-you-dont-secede/

[jackbutler5555]

I had no idea what teabagging was until I looked it up. Had I known, I would definitely be attending any rally promoting teabagging or anything else along those lines. I couldn't really tell by looking at the party participants that were trying to accomplish some very exciting ideals. I especially like the idea that what they were doing was patriotic. I mentioned that to my wife in the hope she would show a little more respect for the Constitution.

[OneWoman]

hehe

[HarrisburgPA]

The sound you hear is Abraham Lincoln turning over in his grave that any governor elected as a Republican could advocate secession, even as a joke. That would violate the founding principles of the Republican Party and everything Lincoln and Congress, both branches of which were controlled by Republicans and their allies throughout the Civil War, fought for during the four horrific years of the Civil War. As many soldiers and sailors died in the Civil War as died in all other US wars through Viet Nam. If similar % of the death toll in the Civil War occurred in today's US population, the death toll would be in the millions.

Governor Perry also is ignorant of his own state's history. The US Supreme Court decision in Texas v. White 74 U.S. 700 (1870) ruled that there was no constitutional right for a state to secede. Futhermore, as Governor of Texas, Perry is bound by Article VI of the US Constitution which holds, ". . . all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;" Apparrently, this oath means nothing to Gov. Perry.

[justice11]

Let them secede! Im tired of them trying to use this leverage. They want to do it, who cares? Maybe the rest of the anti-americans and rednecks can all move there and live their holier than thou hypocrisy! I could care less! Idiots

[Berettasskeeter]

Well, that would certainly sink your ship. We're the only ones who want to work, and want everyone around us to work!
Semper fi

[Elephantinroom]

Texas isn't the first state to threaten to secede. Hypocrisy?


Could the Blue States Secede?
Is there a legal way to opt out of the Union?
By Sam Schechner
Posted Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at 7:05 PM ET
Even before Sen. John Kerry conceded defeat in the presidential election, some bitter blue-staters had begun joking about the possibility of seceding from red-state America. Which makes you wonder: Are there any provisions in U.S. law for a state to opt out of the Union?

http://www.slate.com/id/2109317/

[duchessofdork]

The only things I heard liberals saying after the 2004 shock was "Canada might be a nice change of pace."

[Elephantinroom]

Alec Baldwin

[justice11]

I could care less if they secede! Maybe than all the rednecks and anti-Americans can all congregate in one place! I really don't give a damn about any of them. They want to stay in the past with their dark age thinking let'em!!

[bdaved]

Is that "Governor" Sam Schechner?

[mspye]

This whole "revolutionary uprising" was a joke from start to finish - I mean my God, do they even know what "tea bagging" means in this day and age? And if not, why not????

Their "rage" is clearly misdirected at Obama (GWB was in power when the economy crashed and the bail outs began) and their calls to either secede from the nation or dismantle the government and abolition taxes is the same nonsensical, naive drivel you hear from male College Freshman going through their "anti-esta­blishment/­anarchy" phase, which is generally very short-lived OR Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin.....either way, it's not exactly higher thinking!

But then I have to say most of the Rabid Right Wingers I've known in my life couldn't reason their way out of a paper bag, so this "grass roots" movement organized by FOX news and GOP lobbyists really shouldn't be such a surprise.

I was reminded of the non-stop attacks on the Clintons in the 90's and although, I thought that was unfair or unwarranted, at least the lies they were telling sounded like they were based in fact.

[sklranch]

People have been jealous of Texas from the time it became a state....but, my question is, if so many hate this state, why do you keep moving here??

The real problem in American is not the office of the President, but, our Congress. We have term limits for the President, so, why don't we have term limits for people that serve in Congress? If a Congress person was restricted to 2 terms in both the House & Senate, I know a lot of the daily bickering that now goes on would be eliminated. The job of each congress person is to serve the people of it's district. If they knew they would only have 2 terms they could serve in both the House and the Senate, I personally think they would work together closer for the benefit of the people and the nation, instead of voting for laws, etc. and saying things to get elected again and again.

How about everyone, both Democrat, Republican & Independent give this idea some serious thought. I personally see no purpose of anyone serving in the House or the Senate for more than a combined 20 years. I think it time for real change! Does anyone agree?

--end

[mspye]

Jealous of Texas? I've personally never been but from what I hear, geographically, it doesn't have much to recommend it. I prefer Oregon, myself. But I'm glad you're happy where you are!

That statement aside, I'd like to second your call for term limits in Congress. The last thing we need are "career politicians."

[billw8017]

We will have career politicians no matter what you think. Just because you call them lobbyists doesn't mean they feel the greater duty to their constituents. The ideal would be some experienced people who can work with people more into ideals than practicality.

The relationship between Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey is an example. Humphrey was one of the young turks who split the Democratic party in 1948 with a "radical" civil rights platform. Johnson was the pragmatist who befriended Humphrey so that they could, at the last, push through the civil rights acts and began medicare.

You people who think they would like term limits and an even more inept Congress are related to those Republicans who say "government is the problem," and prove it when they run the government.

[bdaved]

It varies quite a bit. The area around Ft. Davis and Alpine is probably my favorite part of the state, geography-wise. I like the Guadalupes and Big Bend.

[LBCityGirl]

Jealous of Texas? You have to be kidding!

[Marcus-Ian]

We do have term limits. It's called voting for the challenger. Tip O'Neil said that all politics are local, so either way, more often or not, one or the other party is going to have a stranglehold in a particular district. If you don't care for the incumbent, campaign for the challenger. Years ago in the Second Congressional District of Maryland we had Representative Long, a Democrat, in the House for God knows how long. He kept on voting down funds for dredging the shipping channel into the Port of Baltimore, which is the economic engine of the state. For the only time in my life I voted for the Republican challenger to unseat him. Ms. Bentley campaigned on getting the funds, and won. I didn't care for much else of her policies, but she helped to save the Port from oblivion. When reapportionment occurred, she was out of a job, but them's the risks in politics.

[duchessofdork]

I think your proposal would have been better served if you hadn't felt the need to include the jab at non-Texans before making it.

[mickeydougal]

The reason there are not currently term-limits in Congress is that 535 people would have to vote themselves out of a possible lifetime career sucking off of the taxpayer, or at least 2/3 of them, as it would require an amendment to the Constitution. To get 350 people to vote to put themselves out of a job would be an impressive feat.

[68Namvet]

First off, Texas was the only state to exist as an independent republic prior to joining the United Sates. Secondly, Texas has given us Lyndon Baines Johnson, George W. bush. Tom Delay, the highest use of the death penalty, dragging of blacks to their death, and a host of other undesireable people and attributes. LET'S HELP THEM IN THEIR SECESSION - AND GOOD RIDDANCE!

[Carolina Nino]

And dont forget about history, Texas belonged to MEXICO before it became Texas; and they hate Mexicans???? Ironic.

[worldview47]

isn't it just?

[duchessofdork]

And what about all of us sane, reasonable people who live here in TX who are trying to change things from the inside?

[traveler501]

well, I sympathize...but rolling that stone up the hill isn't gonna work, you'll see

[bdaved]

While the California Republic really never got off the ground, Vermont was an independent republic longer than Texas was.

[libslayerguy]

For the Texas-bashers: their are only 6 states that I won't bag on because I like them. But for you people in the other 44, I'll tell any of you what's wrong with your state. We can go in alphabetical order if you want. Just give me the chance.

And if you are from one of the 11 states that voted for Obama in 2008 but voted for W in 2004, then your states contributed as much to extending GOP ruin, I mean rule, in this country as my beautiful Texas did and should serously pipe down.

[traveler501]

you know, honestly, noone would bash you if you would just shut up about Texas in general...as big as a Texas this, as big as a Texas that. have you noticed that noone else says things like that? I've lived in and all around Texas, but grew up and worked half my life in the Northeast. we had one Texas transplant there for 2 years. he wore his silly cowboy hat and boots and his funny necktie, and he used all those very funny colloquialisms (you know, there is that thing about "when in Rome?")...but mostly he just wouldn't shut up about Texas. every sentence was a comparison to Texas. it's weird behavior. and meanwhile, what is with all you people pretending to be cowboys? you are the very same people who would have belittled real herders when they came into town.

[bdaved]

Well, I guess nobody's perfect.

[JamesHenry]

I am amazed at the fact that American citizens just do get what has transpired to us Americans over the last 100 years why are we so stupid. The powers to be have both people in the family working day and night just to keep up, while the richest people grow wealthier all the time. Membership in Unions is at an all time low, there is no checks and balances in our system any longer.

Read the original copy of the Constitution, which said there shall be “No direct taxes” nothing has change from that time until this day, except the people where a lot smarter and more educated then back then. You see they turned all Americans into slaves with the Income tax, did you know that over half of the Corporations pay no tax at all, all the while they make huge profits off our back.

The real reason they said no direct taxes is the very reason that is going on today, they have turned all Americans into slaves for the top 1% of the population. No question, taxes are supposed to be based upon consumption, not income, if corporations paid consumption taxes then they would pay their fair share currently most of them pay nothing to run this country, and they pay no retirement, and less and less health care, what a joke.

These tea parties are for all Americans not just republicans, wake up people. I see hope in an educated America.

[Elephantinroom]

I would support that idea.

[JoBangles]

James Henry,

Just what is it you're referring to as "direct taxes"? Do mean the income tax? Americans live in the greatest economic power the world has ever seen, and we're too damned stingy to pay a small
portion of our income in order to maintain it?

I, like every one else do not like to pay taxes (especially when the money goes to foreign wars of aggression for fun and profits), but I realize that without our taxes there would be no America as we have known it. We're a spoiled, self indulgent people who only care about old number one, and paying the government any of our money gets under our selfish skin.

There are millions of people around the world that would love to be in your place and glad to pay to live in this country, yet we take it all for granted and complain as if it was the greatest of sins to pay for keeping it all going. Tsk, tsk.

[HarrisburgPA]

Well, whateve the Framers thought about this, they also provided a procedure to amend the Constitution which is why your constitutional argument hasn't been valid since February 13, 1913, the date on which the 16th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. The 16th Amendment states, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration." By the way, the 16th Amendment was proposed on July 12, 1909, so the entire process occurred under the administration of William Howard Taft, a Republican. Republicans also controlled one or both houses of Congress throughout this period.

[staticnoise]

The corporations have the access to those who make legislation, and may even write the legislation themselves. I not going to kid myself into believing they will pay their fair share of taxes if we we went with a tax on consumption. What's there to prevent them from writing themselves exemptions or passing the tax one to those who consume their products? I never had a problem with paying my share of taxes. Then again my income is such I pay now taxes now, but I would welcome paying them if I where able to return to the healthy status so I could earn a taxable income.

[traveler501]

ok, it is a reasoned argument you make...but there's no escaping that this whole mess is more about racism than anything else. meanwhile, as you read the constitution are you reading the amendments too? that might clear things up.