I wish more people would study the history of the last Civil War before they go about promoting the next one. The Civil War was the second of America’s great steps away from being a Free Republic - 1830, 1917, 1933 and 2009 being the others.
After the Civil War the country was never as free as it was before. Neither the states nor the people ever got all of the rights that they surrendered to the federal government during the war back. Corporate power increased greatly and the culture of corruption that evolved out of military procurement during the war paved the way for the age of the trusts. The effects of the war continued to divide our country along regional lines well into the 1970s.
The problem is that most wars don’t end in final victory but simmer along for years as bloody stalemates. Think in terms of The Irish Troubles (which lasted over 300 years, assuming they are really over) or the Mexican Caste Wars (1847 to 1901 with a flare up in 1993).
Wars also rarely resolve the problems that they are started to resolve. See the history of the War of 1812 and the present conflict in Iraq.
I’m all for reforming and disempowering the federal government but we need to exhaust all legal and peaceable means before we go talking about “firing the first shot” (what would have happened if the Confederates had not fired on Fort Sumter?) A civil war could last decades and leave our country unrecognizable and even less free than it is today.
So.
There is a point of no return that causes these things to happen.
What do you suppose will knock that first domino over.
Just curious if you had a thought.
thax ken