[faithhopecharity]

Gov. Perry has suggested several times over the past 4 or 5 years that Texas may leave the union. There is historical support for this, although the issue was later clouded and it is far from certain that the majority of Texans would be ready to support such an effort “if push came to shove.” That there is a lot of support for it is beyond doubt, however.....and....so.....?
At any event, the state does still have another most interesting option... expressly provided by its admission documents, namely that it may split itself into a grand total of up to 5 “conveniently sized” states if it wishes. This unique power, if exercised, would give 10 US Senators form the (current bounds of) Texas...

might the politics of this be interesting, eh?

[Deek]

Perry is on the right track. Succession would likely result in armed conflict with Texas seen as the aggressor. No one wants that.

Financial independence (or financial succession by some) will starve the beast. That may also result in conflict, but the beast is almost tapped-out, so it remains to be seen what the beast could afford. This approach also forces the beast to be the aggressor against the States, should the beast resist.