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CalExit

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GnarshoSapian
Posts: 303 - Karma: 327
A group in California is collecting signatures for a 2017 ballot question to on whether to initiate secession of California from the United States. The idea is that as the 6th largest economy in the world CA is better off as an autonomous nation.

While there have been rumblings of this since its incorporation in 1850 this is the first that I've heard of a group taking real action.

Having recently moved to SoCal from Massachusetts I find this interesting. I also can not see this as a net benefit for either party.

Thoughts?
8 years ago
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spat_man
Posts: 15 - Karma: 34
Im in SoCal also and I am sure this will never happen in our lifetimes.
8 years ago
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,146
As much as I hate California politics, the idea of it leaving the US is stupid. As a state they can never afford a military, so they just expect the US to continue protecting them fully, even though they aren't part of the US? What about setting up their own currency and banks? Too many Californians travel to other states every day to make their own currency feasible. What about all the major companies that are headquartered in Silicon Valley? How would they continue to serve the US market with the tariffs that would be established?

This ignores so many other issues, such as trade, distribution, people going to California for vacation (Disneyland, Sea World, Yosemite, and countless other attractions). If California was its own country and people had to have a passport to visit, deal with a new currency, etc, only a fraction of the number of people who vacation there would continue to do so.

There is also the difficulty of CA's long history of droughts, including the current one. If they were their own country, why would the US continue the vast network of aqueducts and pipelines that currently supply CA water from out of state?

California is part of the US, and that isn't going to change any time soon, regardless of how much the CA liberals hate Trump.
8 years ago
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,634
iFlipAs much as I hate California politics, the idea of it leaving the US is stupid. As a state they can never afford a military, so they just expect the US to continue protecting them fully, even though they aren't part of the US? What about setting up their own currency and banks? Too many Californians travel to other states every day to make their own currency feasible. What about all the major companies that are headquartered in Silicon Valley? How would they continue to serve the US market with the tariffs that would be established?

This ignores so many other issues, such as trade, distribution, people going to California for vacation (Disneyland, Sea World, Yosemite, and countless other attractions). If California was its own country and people had to have a passport to visit, deal with a new currency, etc, only a fraction of the number of people who vacation there would continue to do so.

There is also the difficulty of CA's long history of droughts, including the current one. If they were their own country, why would the US continue the vast network of aqueducts and pipelines that currently supply CA water from out of state?

California is part of the US, and that isn't going to change any time soon, regardless of how much the CA liberals hate Trump.


Everything you said is true. But wouldn't it be funny if they did it?
8 years ago
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Wutever
Posts: 279 - Karma: 262
There's this sign on I80, it's been there for at least 2 years, probably more, I see it infrequently. Every time I make a trip down to Sac/Roseville I see it on my way home westbound. I believe the billboard says "The State of Jefferson" it's like a step down from a proposed CalExit. I looked further into it cus I thought it was pretty interesting and it would be a Pacific state that includes NorCal up to like South West Oregon with Yreka as the capital.

So it's a proposed state that wants to secede from Cali which wants to secede from the US. But honestly, by the time my state gets its shit together, it'll be the next election. By that time there will be an entirely new set of drama for everyone to fight about.

It's... Secedeption...
8 years ago
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
it sure would be an interesting model of something I've been saying for years.

A lot of people are caught up in the manufacturing industry saying we need jobs but china has that on lock down. We have a high education rate why can't we focus on tech jobs and let the rest fall away.

Cali wouldn't need to found another currency. There are a lot of countries that share currencies. Tourism would be a big part of their industry. All for the better.

I've never been a huge fan of Cali but it sure would be interesting seeing how it would all work out. Assuming they would be let go if they voted to leave.
8 years ago
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Casey
Posts: 8017 - Karma: 26,918
If California seceeds without Oregon and Washington that will be total bullshit. You can't just leave us at this party with all these crazy fucks!
8 years ago
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Skiing_guy345
Posts: 53 - Karma: 99
we would not allow such things of leaving in chile you americans are hippys
8 years ago
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
I hope so. LA is a cancer
8 years ago
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GnarshoSapian
Posts: 303 - Karma: 327
SkierBetchIt's... Secedeption...


lol clever
8 years ago
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
well it's unconstitutional so they would either need to amend the constitution or win a civil war against the US military. So basically it's impossible.
8 years ago
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,194
gr4well it's unconstitutional so they would either need to amend the constitution or win a civil war against the US military. So basically it's impossible.


They want to amend their state constitution and are trying add to their next ballot a vote to change it so that they can leave.

I think they could crumble within months, even weeks.
8 years ago
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MACK.
Posts: 1230 - Karma: 1,892
state of Jefferson
8 years ago
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Campeador
Posts: 7516 - Karma: -1,227
It would be so great.

They can now officially become the "People's Republic of California"
8 years ago
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
JAHpowThey want to amend their state constitution and are trying add to their next ballot a vote to change it so that they can leave.

I think they could crumble within months, even weeks.


They would need to amend the US constitution. Not their state constitution. That would mean a 2/3 vote from congress, which would not happen. Our country has a strong history and vested interest in keeping the country together, so the odds of an amendment are zero.

So the only other option would be to leave by force, but no militia could stand up to the US military.
8 years ago
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3652 - Karma: 8,892
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
8 years ago
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GnarshoSapian
Posts: 303 - Karma: 327
People are missing my point on this. I think it is terribly unlikely to happen. I also never thought DT would become president.

My point in posting this is somewhat academic. This TOTALLY could happen. California has ample population, and ample resources. Additionally, it boasts a massive economy. Californians are also particularly "nationalistic" or "proud to be Californian".

The state also provides an ample portion of our armed service members as well as hosts lots of military bases. So while it is unlikely, if this idea continues to gain momentum it absolutely *could* become a reality.

Again, not for it.

Other Californians weigh in on this hypothetically please
8 years ago
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yungcigsmoker
Posts: 785 - Karma: 5,922
gr4no militia could stand up to the US military.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War
8 years ago
9 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,197
Chupa_Chupshttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War


lol
8 years ago
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DFJ
Posts: 707 - Karma: 1,337
As someone who considers themselves more left-wing than many liberals:

this is some bullshit. I thought we decided this 150 years ago.
I wonder how many people in California wanting to leave got super upset when Texas said they wanted to leave the country.
8 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
Wouldn't they all dehydrate in a month? Unless they buy all their water from the US. Or are they good with all that snow for now?
8 years ago
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,304
California is just missing the solution. What they should be calling for is to kick the money sucking states OUT of the US. As a bonus, you lose most of the linger racists and white trash too!
8 years ago
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HowdahSphinx
Posts: 22 - Karma: 22
iFlipAs much as I hate California politics, the idea of it leaving the US is stupid. As a state they can never afford a military, so they just expect the US to continue protecting them fully, even though they aren't part of the US? What about setting up their own currency and banks? Too many Californians travel to other states every day to make their own currency feasible. What about all the major companies that are headquartered in Silicon Valley? How would they continue to serve the US market with the tariffs that would be established?

This ignores so many other issues, such as trade, distribution, people going to California for vacation (Disneyland, Sea World, Yosemite, and countless other attractions). If California was its own country and people had to have a passport to visit, deal with a new currency, etc, only a fraction of the number of people who vacation there would continue to do so.

There is also the difficulty of CA's long history of droughts, including the current one. If they were their own country, why would the US continue the vast network of aqueducts and pipelines that currently supply CA water from out of state?

California is part of the US, and that isn't going to change any time soon, regardless of how much the CA liberals hate Trump.


I'm gonna go through this point by point, not disagreeing with you, just sharing my views

1) I can't think of a single country that would directly attack California and I can't see California getting involved in any major conflict if they did get independence. Any military needs would be very localized and therefore they would not need a large military.

2) They could set up something like the EU where citizens can move freely between borders. They could also share the US Dollar, lots of countries use US currency already.

3) I totally agree on the drought thing, they would be properly fucked in that area.

Overall thought I think it's possible California could separate, like obviously they won't because no one has the balls to separate from their country anymore, but if they really wanted to it could be done. California is full of liberals who hate hate HATE Trump. If there was a real plan for separating and a proper referendum, I honestly think it could happen and they could totally pull it off if it was done right.
8 years ago
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Campeador
Posts: 7516 - Karma: -1,227
If California actually separated, it would become part of Mexico again within twenty years, liberals are that stupid.
8 years ago
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,146
HowdahSphinxI'm gonna go through this point by point, not disagreeing with you, just sharing my views

1) I can't think of a single country that would directly attack California and I can't see California getting involved in any major conflict if they did get independence. Any military needs would be very localized and therefore they would not need a large military.

2) They could set up something like the EU where citizens can move freely between borders. They could also share the US Dollar, lots of countries use US currency already.

3) I totally agree on the drought thing, they would be properly fucked in that area.

Overall thought I think it's possible California could separate, like obviously they won't because no one has the balls to separate from their country anymore, but if they really wanted to it could be done. California is full of liberals who hate hate HATE Trump. If there was a real plan for separating and a proper referendum, I honestly think it could happen and they could totally pull it off if it was done right.


And to refute...

1: That ideology worked just great for smaller countries during WWII, didn't it? Also, if California seceded it would have to petition to join NATO, which is by no means a given.

2: "They" who? You mean California is the "they" and "they" would expect the US to welcome them with open arms the same as the countries within the EU, even though "they" officially just fucked the US by seceding? Where is the logic to back up your statement? In regard to your second point regarding currency, the US would likely not stand for CA using its currency when CA just effectively fucked the US. Creating a currency and getting it accepted worldwide take significant effort.

3: Yep, no more water for CA. However, right now CA has more water than in recent history, due to the tremendous amount of snowfall in the Sierra. Once this dries up, and it will, they will be fucked if the US does not help them.

The US is seemingly full of people who "hate" Trump. Get over it. He's here for four years before the "haters" can attempt to oust him. We just lived through eight years of Obama. Before that we lived through eight years of Bush. I imagine the crybaby haters can handle a few years of Trump. Or, better yet, they can leave and go join a wonderful independent country such as North Korea.
8 years ago
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HowdahSphinx
Posts: 22 - Karma: 22
iFlipAnd to refute...

1: That ideology worked just great for smaller countries during WWII, didn't it? Also, if California seceded it would have to petition to join NATO, which is by no means a given.

2: "They" who? You mean California is the "they" and "they" would expect the US to welcome them with open arms the same as the countries within the EU, even though "they" officially just fucked the US by seceding? Where is the logic to back up your statement? In regard to your second point regarding currency, the US would likely not stand for CA using its currency when CA just effectively fucked the US. Creating a currency and getting it accepted worldwide take significant effort.

3: Yep, no more water for CA. However, right now CA has more water than in recent history, due to the tremendous amount of snowfall in the Sierra. Once this dries up, and it will, they will be fucked if the US does not help them.

The US is seemingly full of people who "hate" Trump. Get over it. He's here for four years before the "haters" can attempt to oust him. We just lived through eight years of Obama. Before that we lived through eight years of Bush. I imagine the crybaby haters can handle a few years of Trump. Or, better yet, they can leave and go join a wonderful independent country such as North Korea.


cool
8 years ago
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Campeador
Posts: 7516 - Karma: -1,227
Seems like California cannot even handle one overflowing dam on its own.




California Governor Asks Trump for Federal Aid to Help Evacuated Residents

http://time.com/4670154/jerry-brown-california-trump-dam-evacuations/
8 years ago
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