Well, yeah, there are excellent reasons secession is even less of a practical option than in 1860.
Then the seceding states were almost entirely united on the issue over which they seceded, although divided on whether secession itself was the way to address the issue. Once the fighting started, dissent in the south almost disappeared.
Today even the reddest states have very large minorities of people who disagree utterly on whatever issues secession might be over. And they are generally concentrated in the cities and especially the capitals.
So how does secession work when 30%, 40% or more of your population is violently opposed? Do you somehow figure out who is opposed and expel them, a type of ideological cleansing? If you do, how does that possibly jibe with the American ideals which you are theoretically fighting for?
Secession as a cure is very much like the equally silly notion of amendments or a constitutional convention as cures. If we can’t win elections, we certainly can’t successfully secede or pass amendments.
They live in that state (now a new country) and have to obey the laws of that state. Like everyone else. They can peaceful protest or not. they can be incarcerated. They can also be drafted.
“Today even the reddest states have very large minorities of people who disagree utterly on whatever issues secession might be over. And they are generally concentrated in the cities and especially the capitals.”
Well at some point they may feel the urge to beat feet back to a blue stata. That’s how these generally work.
I am afraid that if there is a second ACW it will more closely resemble the Spanish Civil War.
"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)