It has recently came out that Sarah Palin's husband once belong to a party that wants to secede from the Union.  This isn't a bash session on Palin, and I definitely don't want to affend any Alaskans, but rather I wanted to know if they really have that right?  Alaska was purchased by the United States, so what would happen if they did vote to secede?  Could the United States just kick those people out of the state and retain ownership of the land?  I mean, its not really like it was during the Civil War.  At that time, 13 of the states were original colonies who decided to form a nation, and I think it probably is correct to think that they did have the right to secede.  I guess Alaska can vote to secede, but the land would still be a territory of the United States.  Not sure what they are really expecting to accomplish here.  Even though I think its just idle threats and i'm sure there is hardly a majority there to actually get it done, it was just a hypothetical question.  I don't know and was curious.     

I thought it was unconstitutional to secede, but not sure. 

It has recently came out that Sarah Palin's husband once belong to a party that wants to secede from the Union.  This isn't a bash session on Palin, and I definitely don't want to affend any Alaskans, but rather I wanted to know if they really have that right?  Alaska was purchased by the United States, so what would happen if they did vote to secede?  Could the United States just kick those people out of the state and retain ownership of the land?  I mean, its not really like it was during the Civil War.  At that time, 13 of the states were original colonies who decided to form a nation, and I think it probably is correct to think that they did have the right to secede.  I guess Alaska can vote to secede, but the land would still be a territory of the United States.  Not sure what they are really expecting to accomplish here.  Even though I think its just idle threats and i'm sure there is hardly a majority there to actually get it done, it was just a hypothetical question.  I don't know and was curious.     


to my knowledge, I thought Sarah was a member of that group as well

She was part of the Alaska Independence Party, which does stand for Alaska secession.

Technically, a state can go to Congress and lobby for independence.  The process is similar to lobbying for statheood.  The motion must pass Congress, the President, and have the support of 2/3 of the Governors.

So basically, it's about as difficult as amending the Constitution.

That's a stone's throw from radical into plain old silly!
:D

There is nothing in the Constitution to allow for  secession, and the Civil War decided the question as well from a practical point of view.  When Vermont joined the union as the 14th state in 1799, its constitution provided for a 200 year trial period but that was never tested, but there is a separatist party here.

Unilateral secession of a state was ruled unconstitutional after the Civil War, though a state could secede under certain circumstances it would probably require the blessing of the federal government and of the several state governments. As a strong believer in an indivisible Union and strong national government, I see anybody associated with an "Independence" party like this as a traitor.

Unilateral secession of a state was ruled unconstitutional after the Civil War, though a state could secede under certain circumstances it would probably require the blessing of the federal government and of the several state governments. As a strong believer in an indivisible Union and strong national government, I see anybody associated with an "Independence" party like this as a traitor.


I wouldn't consider a state that wants to secede a traitor.  Hell, I wouldn't mind it if we split into about 4 or 5 countries, to be honest.  We're really too big for our own good.

All I would ask of the state seceding is that they pay back the rest of us for whatever we paid for through tax dollars to help them develop.

I wouldn't consider a state that wants to secede a traitor.  Hell, I wouldn't mind it if we split into about 4 or 5 countries, to be honest.  We're really too big for our own good.

All I would ask of the state seceding is that they pay back the rest of us for whatever we paid for through tax dollars to help them develop.



The problem with that idea is that there are too many people in ALL states who count on the federal gov. for their income-myself included.



Cat

All I would ask of the state seceding is that they pay back the rest of us for whatever we paid for through tax dollars to help them develop.


The flaw with that argument is that it assumes that the citizens of the breakaway state never paid Federal Taxes.  If we take your proposal to its natural course, then the Federal Government should pay them back their taxes too, minus an assessed value for the value of government services.

Seccession of Alaska would not mean much though, since the Federal Government owns about 65% of the state, so that land mass quite possibly qoucl be considered a US Possession.

Alaska is conveniently and strategically placed near Russia.  Being since we seem to be getting antsy about Russia it'll be a cold day in hell before Alaska can secede.  All of Palin's talk of "Country First" is just that talk.  It's obvious she' s for "State's Rights".  Of course I could be reading her wrong and she's plotting a slow course for world domination.

One of the main reasons Palin and her hubby even considered the notion of secession was that the Congress would not allow them to drill for oil which would significantly boost Alaska's economy. As of right now, fishing and tourism are about the only industry Alaska has. It's too cold to grow crops there so Agriculture is pretty much out of the question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNYOcbsPOmI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNYOcbsPOmI


Like I said "Country First" my eye.  Perhaps in the long run this will be a lesson to the Republican Party machine. ::)

One can use the same argument about Palin & her association with Joe Vogler as they used with Obama & Rev. Wright.


Alaska is conveniently and strategically placed near Russia.  Being since we seem to be getting antsy about Russia it'll be a cold day in hell before Alaska can secede.  All of Palin's talk of "Country First" is just that talk.  It's obvious she' s for "State's Rights".  Of course I could be reading her wrong and she's plotting a slow course for world domination.



Actually, Hell is in Michigan and it does get cold there.  :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat

The problem with that idea is that there are too many people in ALL states who count on the federal gov. for their income-myself included.

Cat


While some areas are too poor to support themselves, lines could be drawn to keep each new country prosperous.  Here is one possibility...  (I've done this before with cultural divisions, but this one is more representative of economic equality).

http://i37.tinypic.com/1250wpk.gif

While some areas are too poor to support themselves, lines could be drawn to keep each new country prosperous.  Here is one possibility...  (I've done this before with cultural divisions, but this one is more representative of economic equality).

http://i37.tinypic.com/1250wpk.gif

What do the colors represent?
???

Each country.  From Ohio to Maine would be one country, whereas, from Kentucky to Florida would be another.

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/09/08/book-on-the-current.html

The only book on the secession movements currently being organized in the US. 

As a strong believer in an indivisible Union and strong national government, I see anybody associated with an "Independence" party like this as a traitor.


You Have Spoken Wisely now, my friend.

You've better spread the word!

Here in my country -Spain- we are living a despicable process of disintegration. It all started with giving in a little bit to the separatists in order to try and appease them, but that never happen. They are never satisfied. Ever. Then they were given more and more, and then some more. They aren't satisfied. And it expanded into other corners of the country. At first it was the Basques and the Catalans, but then Galicia, Canarias... even Andalusia are starting to call themselves a "nation"!

Believe me, if your country wants to survive, give NOTHING to the separatists. Absolutely nothing. Separatism will never stop and it will spread like a cancer, it will spread even into States you can't imagine.   

You Have Spoken Wisely now, my friend.

You've better spread the word!

Here in my country -Spain- we are living a despicable process of disintegration. It all started with giving in a little bit to the separatists in order to try and appease them, but that never happen. They are never satisfied. Ever. Then they were given more and more, and then some more. They aren't satisfied. And it expanded into other corners of the country. At first it was the Basques and the Catalans, but then Galicia, Canarias... even Andalusia are starting to call themselves a "nation"!

Believe me, if your country wants to survive, give NOTHING to the separatists. Absolutely nothing. Separatism will never stop and it will spread like a cancer, it will spread even into States you can't imagine.   


This is a rather ironic position coming from you.  I mean, I understand why you feel the way you do, with the Basques and all, but you tend to be Libertarian, which usually favors smaller national government and more decentralized authority.

I'm by no means a full Libertarian, but I prefer decentralization to the point of sympathizing with separatists here.  Also, consider the fact that America is much larger than Spain in both land area and population.  You might be experiencing the negative side of decentralization, but we're experiencing the other extreme.

This is a rather ironic position coming from you.  I mean, I understand why you feel the way you do, with the Basques and all, but you tend to be Libertarian, which usually favors smaller national government and more decentralized authority.

I'm by no means a full Libertarian, but I prefer decentralization to the point of sympathizing with separatists here.  Also, consider the fact that America is much larger than Spain in both land area and population.  You might be experiencing the negative side of decentralization, but we're experiencing the other extreme.


Thank you for being interested in my post.

And yes, as you have very well pointed out, my position on separatism is highly at odds with the Libertarians' belief in the right of secession. I have many other contradictory viewpoints in many aspects. I perfectly understand your criticism.

And you are also right in pointing out that Spain is not America after all. I am certainly biased, because all separatist movements inside Spain are authoritarian and strongly anti-Libertarian. Small wonder the Spanish Socialists and Communists are so compassionate and supportive with our separatists.

But I admit that the situation in America might differ considerably.   

One of the main reasons Palin and her hubby even considered the notion of secession was that the Congress would not allow them to drill for oil which would significantly boost Alaska's economy. As of right now, fishing and tourism are about the only industry Alaska has. It's too cold to grow crops there so Agriculture is pretty much out of the question.


And ice cubes ;D

Even barring other polical complications, Alaska secedes, then they've got the Russian Bear breathing down their necks.  Independent, comrades?  Not for long, soon you'll be back behind the apron strings of Mother Russia!
;D

One of the main reasons Palin and her hubby even considered the notion of secession was that the Congress would not allow them to drill for oil which would significantly boost Alaska's economy. As of right now, fishing and tourism are about the only industry Alaska has. It's too cold to grow crops there so Agriculture is pretty much out of the question.


Do the name Exxon Valdes ring a bell?  Alaska already is swimming in oil $$$.  And by the way, some crops grow very well there, they are illegal, but they do grow well, and there is the forest industry.

I meant Vegetable Crops like Corn, Tomatoes, etc. Carlos!! But yeah..the Illegal stuff does ok there...But BC Canada has it beat in the Marijuana crops!

I meant Vegetable Crops like Corn, Tomatoes, etc. Carlos!! But yeah..the Illegal stuff does ok there...But BC Canada has it beat in the Marijuana crops!

There's a strain known as "Alaska Thunderf**k"!
8)

There's a strain known as "Alaska Thunderf**k"!
8)


AC/DC, The Razor's Edge, right?  Oh, wait, never mind :)