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Is Secession Legal?
01/19/2020 | Rfreedom4u

Posted on 01/19/2021 4:38:09 PM PST by rfreedom4u

Many people have stated that secession is illegal and not allowed as determined by the American Civil War. But is it really? Throughout the history of the United States our government has supported the independence/secession of states/territories/colonies from various other nations.

Haiti seceded from the French empire through a slave revolt. South Sudan broke from Sudan. Yugoslavia broke into several countries and later Kosovo seceded from Serbia. Czechoslovakia split into two countries. The Soviet split into quite a few countries. The UK left the European Union. And many others….

So why do people say secession is illegal in the United States? There’s nothing in the US Constitution that mentions secession. The Tenth Amendment states “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Using my logic this means that since the issue of secession is not given to the federal government it is reserved to the states or the people themselves to determine. I’ve read the constitution of my own state (Texas) and secession is not mentioned at all. This even furthers my belief that is should be determined by the people.

If I were to join a club and did not like what the club became, I would be well within my rights to quit that club. If I go to see a movie and don’t like it, I can walk out. So why would anyone believe that the United States is a “once you’re in you can’t leave” type of deal? When someone doesn’t like the state in which they live they are free to move to another state or even another country.

If secession/independence/splitting up is supported for other people in the world why is it not ok for citizens of the United States? And yes, I know that politicians are garbage and want to maintain their power and control. So please give me your opinion on whether it is legal or not and why you think that way? But please spare me the “if it’s broke, we don’t run away, we fix it” argument. At this point I am fairly certain that it is not repairable.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: notstatesrights; notthisagain; secession; statesrights; vanity
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To: rockrr
Unilateral secession is expressly unconstitutional.

Expressly where exactly in the Constitution?

41 posted on 01/19/2021 5:05:04 PM PST by SeeSharp
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To: Spirochete
“This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it.”Abraham Lincoln

This quote is from Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address in 1861.

Looking back on it now, or even just two years later, one would have a hard time believing he said this with a straight face.

42 posted on 01/19/2021 5:05:17 PM PST by Alberta's Child ("There's somebody new and he sure ain't no rodeo man.")
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To: rfreedom4u

Does it matter if it’s “legal?”


43 posted on 01/19/2021 5:06:34 PM PST by ScottinVA (Enough. Divide the country.. now.)
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To: rfreedom4u

Yes it’s legal. Just call the feds and let them know we are leaving. Of course it would help if a few like minded states joined in.
The country has become to populous to have 600 people in DC tell 350 million what to do and how to live their lives and how much of our labor we will be allowed to keep.
At the time of the constitution the US had a population about the size of Ct.


44 posted on 01/19/2021 5:07:59 PM PST by freedomlver
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To: SeeSharp

The Constitution doesn’t say either way but SCOTUS ruled that unilateral secession is unconstitutional. They hinted that mutual consent was required. That’s where it stands.


45 posted on 01/19/2021 5:08:02 PM PST by rockrr ( Everything is different now...)
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To: rfreedom4u

So the rats can add states and territories, but none can leave?


46 posted on 01/19/2021 5:08:16 PM PST by Fido969 (,i.)
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To: rfreedom4u
Does not matter.

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

They show NO respect for the laws of this country.

I need not even attempt to show any for them.

I know.... you want to be polite.

I don't care any more.

47 posted on 01/19/2021 5:08:43 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Dear Clare, The awkward time is almost over. Love, Normal Americans)
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To: rfreedom4u

Abortion is “legal.” When the bullets fly, there isn’t going to be much heed paid to what passes the “legality” muster.


48 posted on 01/19/2021 5:09:47 PM PST by ScottinVA (Enough. Divide the country.. now.)
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To: rfreedom4u

Its legal if you win.


49 posted on 01/19/2021 5:11:25 PM PST by Husker24
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To: Slyfox

The union harkens back to a time when this country existed as a nation, with common goals and objectives. None of that exists now.


50 posted on 01/19/2021 5:11:48 PM PST by ScottinVA (Enough. Divide the country.. now.)
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To: Lurking Libertarian

“ In Texas v. White (1869), the Supreme Court ruled that secession was unconstitutional unless the other states consented. ”

———————————————————————————

Question is, how long are we gonna continue to follow the law when the

other side isn’t? Not really a fair game if one side plays by the rules and

The other side doesn’t.


51 posted on 01/19/2021 5:11:50 PM PST by hillarys cankles
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To: rfreedom4u
I think there will be many micro-secessions - predominantly white, middle class, and conservative neighborhoods or towns who simply refuse to follow any unconstitutional directives from state or local governments. Who will then have a choice to make: crush the rebels and endure the bad optics or ignore the problem and focus harder on looting wealthy, liberal areas.

At first, they will pick the second option - but future desperation might drive them to attempt the first.

52 posted on 01/19/2021 5:12:49 PM PST by Mr. Jeeves ([CTRL]-[GALT]-[DELETE])
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To: Lurking Libertarian

Too bad nobody cares about the opinion of the USSC!


53 posted on 01/19/2021 5:13:11 PM PST by SgtHooper (If you remember the 60's, YOU WEREN'T THERE!)
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To: rfreedom4u; All

Secession is legal if you can exercise the power, military or otherwise, to make it stick.


54 posted on 01/19/2021 5:13:49 PM PST by Yashcheritsiy (I'd rather have one king 3000 miles away that 3000 kings one mile away)
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To: rfreedom4u

There may be an easier way.

The greater Idaho is not secession, but counties from Oregone and Californicator joining Idaho making it Greater Idaho.

https://www.opb.org/article/2020/11/16/two-oregon-counties-voted-to-look-at-joining-idaho-now-what/


55 posted on 01/19/2021 5:14:27 PM PST by Grampa Dave (Law & order took the last train out of DC and Ameriica on election/coup/night, Tues., Nov. 03, 2020!)
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To: rfreedom4u

Legal? LOL! So we are to adhere to the Constitution while they do NOT!? What nonsense!


56 posted on 01/19/2021 5:14:33 PM PST by SgtHooper (If you remember the 60's, YOU WEREN'T THERE!)
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To: rfreedom4u

What will secession do except put a hostile state on our borders?


57 posted on 01/19/2021 5:16:43 PM PST by Olog-hai ("No Republican, no matter how liberal, is going to woo a Democratic vote." -- Ronald Reagan, 1960)
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To: Levy78

I love how there is a legal question after we see now that the legal system and checks and balances is dead to us.


58 posted on 01/19/2021 5:18:44 PM PST by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
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To: rfreedom4u

What legitimate government is there to say what’s legal or illegal?


59 posted on 01/19/2021 5:19:14 PM PST by T.B. Yoits
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To: Levy78

The relationship between the government and the people has become one of a battered spouse. Who would blame the battered spouse for leaving or defending oneself?

Personally, I believe that the geographical entity known as the United States is simply way to big to govern effectively. We would be better served with fewer states and regional,government.


60 posted on 01/19/2021 5:19:16 PM PST by NTHockey (My rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners. And to the NSA trolls, FU)
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