I will not discuss the politics of each candidate and his followers, but will, instead, just make a general observation about the current situation: About half of the country is disgruntled with the current administration, plain and simple. Therefore, following the election, there appeared on the White House's official website 69 petitions from each of the 50 states calling for a secession from the Untied States of America. Now, the White House promises that if any petition receives over 25,000 signatures, it will be sent directly to the desk of the President; 8 states have thus far met that requirement, giving them a right to a personal response from President Obama.
Being informed students of political science, we have naturally read the words of John Locke, since his ideas and principles serve as the groundwork for our country. It was Locke who said, "Every man being, as has been showed [should], naturally free, and nothing being able to put him into subjection to any earthly power, but only his own consent." Essentially, Locke was saying that government has power only insofar it has the consent of the governed. Locke goes even further saying that once the government becomes abusive of these powers given to it and no longer has this consent, the people now have the right to "alter or abolish it," to echo the words of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.
However, despite this being perfectly acceptable in theory, it may not always unfold peacefully in reality. Recall the horrid events of the last secession attempt during the 1860s: The South intended to simply secede from the Union to preserve its longstanding institution of slavery, but they instead became embroiled in a bloody conflict that divided the nation and brought father against son and brother against brother. I believe that the states today, as well as the South in 1861, should be allowed to secede without war. The reason why is that the Constitution, an agreement amongst the states to create a federal government, is not a "suicide pact." It is the right of the people as stated by both Locke and Jefferson to remove themselves from this social contract, without war or conflict, once they feel their liberties are being threatened.
We are watching the cycle spelled out by Locke play out right before our eyes, and I am sure we will read about it in history books years from now. But the question still remains: Will we see another Civil War or possibly the first peaceful secession? Will President Obama respond peacefully or threaten those who dared put their names to that petition? -Nicholas Withers
Sources:
http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/States_Rights
Are you seriously advocating those states should be allowed to secede? How is the government abusive of its powers thus forfeiting its legitimacy? Do you realize Locke also said that if you don’t like the government, you can leave?
ReplyDeleteThere are over the 300 million people living in the United States. The state with the lowest population (Wyoming) still has over 500,000 people. Because there is some meaningless online petition that garners 25,000 signatures doesn't mean the state gains the right to secede. That’s nowhere near a majority in any state.
I’m also fascinated in hearing about how Obama being re-elected infringes upon one’s liberties. Does he have some evil trick up his sleeve that he was waiting for his second term to unleash? Please, do tell…
Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteThe ideas that you put in this blog are absolutely absurd. The idea that a state can secede because 25,000 signed a piece of paper is crazy. As Ryan stated the state with the smallest population is Wyoming with 500,000. If 25,000 agreed to secede from Wyoming that would represent 5% of the population in the smallest state. Are you seriously advocating that because 5% of people in a state want to secede it should be allowed.
If people have an issue with the way this government is being run they can move to a new a country. No one is forcing these people to remain in America. If they have a problem with the current government they should leave.
Perhaps if the majority of people in a state truly believed seceding was the only solution to their problems than they should be allowed to secede. But to say that 5% of a state can dictate the actions of that state is ludicrous. If these people have such a problem with the Obama administration why don't they consider trying to negotiate with Obama. Running away is not going to solve any problems.
Ryan and Jason,
ReplyDeleteTo be a bit more clear, I am not advocating that the states be permitted to secede at this very moment. I'm aware that there is an immensely small number of people who actually signed this petition. And yes, I do in fact believe once a majority has been reached in a state, it should be allowed to secede from the union, and those who still support President Obama in those possibly seceded states can, well like you both have said yourselves, leave the state and move to another state still within the United States.
I apologize for not making it clear in the post that a majority must be reached in each state. I was speaking in theory, assuming that a majority will have been reached already.
To Ryan specifically, I however did make it clear in my post that I will not discuss the politics of President Obama. I was making a simple observation of the situation. I am not saying that I am for or against the President, but I am saying that states' rights do exist.