Posted on 01/27/2017 1:53:32 PM PST by SeekAndFind
California has granted a pro-secession group 180 days to gather enough signatures to get their Calexit initiative on the ballot. From the Hill:
The California secretary of state’s office announced that the group could begin collecting signatures on Thursday.
The group needs 585,407 signatures from registered voters over the next 180 days to qualify for the ballot.
The mechanism here is not very straightforward. If the Yes California Independence Campaign can gather the needed signatures in time, that would put an initiative on the ballot next year. That initiative, if passed, would change portions of the California constitution and set up a California nationhood election in 2019. From the LA Times:
If the measure gets on the ballot and gains approval by a majority of voters, it would repeal clauses in the California Constitution stating that the state is an “inseparable part of the United States” and that the U.S. Constitution is the “supreme law of the land,” according to the title and summary prepared by the state attorney general’s office.
The measure would place another question on the ballot in 2019, asking whether California should become a separate country. If at least half of registered voters participate in that vote, with at least 55% of those voting to approve, the results would be treated as California’s declaration of independence.
If all of this sounds very fringe, keep in mind that a recent poll found 32% of Californians supported the idea of secession. So, at the very least, there should be millions of people willing to sign a petition to put this on the ballot next year. Given that this movement was accelerated by the election of Donald Trump its success or failure will probably depend on how President Trump is doing next year or, more precisely, how Democrats judge he is doing. Given the hair-on-fire response to his first week in office there’s not much reason to suppose things will settle down.
With recounts and faithless electors and protests unable to change the country’s course, angry progressives could decide secession is the only remaining path for ‘the resistance’ to take. Plus, the idea of declaring independence from Trump and ‘fly-over’ America might prove irresistible. Based on the polling, it already has for many on the left coast.
It’s all political theory and mental masturbation.
California will not leave the union without violence.
Forgot the /S
Can those of us NOT in California sign the petition also? That way we can make our position known.
Many parts of kalifornia have already, you should see the LA metro area and south San Diego. That is the force behind this as much as rampant liberal mind rot.
Free Republic, LLC PO Box 9771 Fresno, CA 93794
“If all of this sounds very fringe, keep in mind that a recent poll found 32% of Californians supported the idea of secession.”
Do they know they’ll lose their foodstamps?
I’m trying to figure out who is going to be their General Lee, Longstreet, Jeb Stuart and Jackson. I’m sure it is so easy to leave the Union with a bunch of transsexuals troops out of San Francisco and West Hollywood.
Only 55% is required? I’m all for regions that wish to be independent to have the power to peacefully choose to do so.... but sticking 45% of a population with a new government that they didn’t want or choose seems really high. I would think that the requirement should be at least 65%, more likely 75% or higher. A super-majority, at least, for such an extreme course of action.... and maybe also a clause that says that they cannot be readmitted for 10 years, and readmittance would come with numerous penalties and costs.
Racist. /s
Make the border on Interstate 5. Include Sacramento.
I’m sure it is so easy to leave the Union with a bunch of transsexuals troops out of San Francisco and West Hollywood.
Maybe the Californicators believe that they have King Hollywood, and the moviewatchers of the rest of the U.S.A. would come to their aid???
dems would never let this happen. those 55 baked in electoral votes are their only chance at winning ever again. that being said, GOP could use 55 less electoral votes in the Dem caufer to start.
Maybe they think Mexico will come to their aid because of the guacamole trade? I know it’s not cotton but we have got a Mexican food craze going on. Hmmm...I think maybe the Union is on its heels again!
It wouldn't be a clean break by any means.
going to need a bigger wall.
Doesn’t much of their water come from other states???????
“It’s all political theory and mental masturbation. California will not leave the union without violence.”
I disagree! In an incredible historical lapse of consciousnesses, we have ALLOWED the leftist wacko’s to completely take over the press, academia, entertainment, corporations, etc. This is our LAST GASP of hope to recover, and the odds are against us. More than a hundred million already brainwashed in my estimate, including a majority of those in influential corporate, academic, and media positions. We will never re-educate those already brainwashed from birth. Let the Leftist zombies secede. Kalifornia, New York, etc. Maybe there will be enough left to rebuild some semblance of the former USA. The seceded territories will burn in the riots and chaos inevitable in a populace incapable of producing, and weaned on victimization. The rest of us may resume, and hopefully, survive.
I was going to apologize to our California Freepers, but I am a native New Yorker, and accept the inevitability letting the “lost” just go ahead and LEAVE.
Can I sign?
secession? How about an expulsion.
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