Our States Remain United (White House Responds to Secession Petitions)

The White House ^ | 1/11/13 | Jon Carson

[arista]

Thank you for using the White House's online petitions platform to participate in your government.

In a nation of 300 million people -- each with their own set of deeply-held beliefs -- democracy can be noisy and controversial. And that's a good thing. Free and open debate is what makes this country work, and many people around the world risk their lives every day for the liberties we often take for granted.

But as much as we value a healthy debate, we don't let that debate tear us apart.

Our founding fathers established the Constitution of the United States "in order to form a more perfect union" through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self-government. They enshrined in that document the right to change our national government through the power of the ballot -- a right that generations of Americans have fought to secure for all. But they did not provide a right to walk away from it. As President Abraham Lincoln explained in his first inaugural address in 1861, "in contemplation of universal law and of the Constitution the Union of these States is perpetual." In the years that followed, more than 600,000 Americans died in a long and bloody civil war that vindicated the principle that the Constitution establishes a permanent union between the States. And shortly after the Civil War ended, the Supreme Court confirmed that "[t]he Constitution, in all its provisions, looks to an indestructible Union composed of indestructible States."

Although the founders established a perpetual union, they also provided for a government that is, as President Lincoln would later describe it, "of the people, by the people, and for the people" -- all of the people. Participation in, and engagement with, government is the cornerstone of our democracy. And because every American who wants to participate deserves a government that is accessible and responsive, the Obama Administration has created a host of new tools and channels to connect concerned citizens with White House. In fact, one of the most exciting aspects of the We the People platform is a chance to engage directly with our most outspoken critics.

So let's be clear: No one disputes that our country faces big challenges, and the recent election followed a vigorous debate about how they should be addressed. As President Obama said the night he won re-election, "We may have battled fiercely, but it's only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future."

Whether it's figuring out how to strengthen our economy, reduce our deficit in a responsible way, or protect our country, we will need to work together -- and hear from one another -- in order to find the best way to move forward. I hope you'll take a few minutes to learn more about the President's ideas and share more of your own.

Jon Carson is Director of the Office of Public Engagement

[arista]

I signed a petition on the White House website months ago. This is their response.

[FlingWingFlyer]

It sounds like both Barry and Jonny realize that if they ever let the red states split, who would pay for their BIG government nanny state.

[fatnotlazy]

Talk about BS. Wonder how long it took for the propaganda ministry to put that nonsense together.

[Texas56]

If only the Obama crowd actually honored the Constitution.

[tomkat]

             

[Farmer Dean]

They can’t be the Obama crowd AND honor the Constitution.
No two things were ever more mutually exclusive.

[RobertClark]

[hinckley buzzard]

What exactly did you expect? Frankly, I'm surprised they deigned to respond at all.

[Christie at the beach]

I barely listen to national talk shows now or watch hardly any cable though I catch local news but I can say from just not being beaten down by the media, this is all a set up within to destroy this wonderful country of ours from these self interest misguided people. They claim we have no business telling them what they can do in their lives. Then they spend most of their lives telling us what we can and cannot do as they take the finger to the rule of the law. They want to make a new nation. May as well tell the truth. That is what is going on.

Obama has brought class hate, to race hate to hating people who work and have more than the other guy. That is not America. Obama needs to be impeached. I wish I could do it. There is no one up there who will stand UP! Look where it is getting us. Look at what Obama did with Fort Hood which was a terror attack. Look how he is getting away with his justice department giving guns in the Fast Furious case. Why aren’t the republicans beginning impeachment hearings. Someone needs to call for him to be impeached. Where’s the TP patriots. Enough. Before states pull away and we are in a civil unrest to a breakdown. Everywhere, I go people are so damn angry at both parties- One for changing America as the other allows it to happen.

[Twotone]

“They enshrined in that document the right to change our national government through the power of the ballot...”

Epic Fail. You change the constitution through Amendment, not by voting in a socialist as president!

[Jane Long]

Why aren’t the republicans beginning impeachment hearings. Someone needs to call for him to be impeached. Where’s the TP patriots.

Those are the same questions that I, and MANY others, are asking.

Where in the heck are the 'pubs and so-called Tea Party "leaders" on what is taking place with our freedoms??? Where and why are they cowering?

[spodefly]

I would take more seriously a current federal employee reciting the Constitution if the federal government hadn’t been using the Constitution as toilet paper for the past several decades.