“This isn’t 1861. Americans aren’t going to murder each other by the millions over a purely political question of union.”
Just two weeks ago, we were talking about entering a war in Syria for, what? To maintain dear leader’s credibility? Secession would fundamentally change the power dynamic. It would be a threat.
The last war between the states wasn’t all that popular with the masses who got to fight it, either. Especially in the north, e.g. the draft riots of 1863.
You noted in your response that “some folks are going to pay the ultimate price.” In that we agree. But let’s not talk vague generalities. Let’s put a number to “some.” Are we talking ten million Americans? Five million? Roughly 2.5 % of the US population died in the last war between the states. So let’s be wildly optimistic and assume that only one tenth of that percentage would perish in a second war between the states. Still, if you do the math that turns out to be roughly 800,000 people. So is 800,000 dead Americans going to be considered a fair price to pay for Glorious Secession?
With all respect, I’m not willing to pay that butcher bill. And I intend to do my best to convince others of the same.
Another ‘war between the states’ is not going to happen over a matter of secession. Period.
If one or more red states decide to unhook from the union, there will be flare ups of violence between red and blue individuals in those states, but it won’t become a matter for the military. Ever.
To think otherwise, is some sort of paranoid delusion. Americans simply do not have the stomach to murder millions of their fellows over a purely political question of union.
Heck, nearly all of the blue states would be cheering us on to leave.