Bick
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Post by Bick on Feb 14, 2021 18:31:01 GMT -8
Seeing how we're living in what some, like me, believe is a dystopian future from which we grew up in, I thought I'd begin a thread on how to amicably divide these states.
It's clear to me, common ground between left and right has become so scarce, we're beyond the point of reconciliation. This isn't intended to find fault in the other side. It may very well be good for them. It just ain't for me.
With the intention of reaching as equal a distribution of assets that are these 50 states, here's where I'd start:
It's important to have a coastline, and I believe both countries should have an east and west coast more so than borders with other countries. In other words, it seems a lot easier to deal with either a north or a south border neighbor as opposed to both. It seems like the 39 degree latitude divides the country equally from a land mass perspective. North could be liberal, south would be conservative...just like the good ole days.
Assuming the north would want to create their own constitution, all the historical artifacts would be sent down south wherever the capital of the south would be located.
It's a start, but I think it has legs.
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davidsf
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Post by davidsf on Feb 14, 2021 19:21:36 GMT -8
I have given this some (minor) thought, but from the perspective of only dividing Illinois into two separate states. Some of the considerations are the same but some are quite disparate:
I wonder if we divide east from west, using the Mississippi River as the border. Obviously, that would create more turmoil in terms of moving populations around to their ideological preference, but I think it would be a more adequate division of resources and economies.
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Post by ProfessorFate on Feb 15, 2021 2:45:04 GMT -8
Obviously oversimplified, and changes would have to be made. 1. Red USA would need to keep Colorado and New Mexico. 2. Red USA would need Southern California below a line from the I-15 to the 210 to the 605 to the 105 to the coast.
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SK80
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Post by SK80 on Feb 15, 2021 6:14:57 GMT -8
We have the best High School Football I think Orange County goes it alone!
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Bick
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Post by Bick on Feb 15, 2021 9:34:47 GMT -8
Apparently, there has already been a lot of thought given to this. The link below has some pro and con arguments from the readers at the bottom. It's not without precedent that a large country would somewhat peacefully divide into smaller countries. We've seen it in our lifetimes with the USSR and Yugoslavia. We've also seen smaller countries unite to become larger ones - Germany & Vietnam - although not quite as peacefully. Considering a division within the USA this shouldn't be all that far fetched. As time moves on, the commonalities we share with left and right continues to shrink. www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/016158.html
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thefrog
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Post by thefrog on Feb 15, 2021 9:41:05 GMT -8
It would be an absolute travesty to see this incredible experiment end after only 200+ years...
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Bick
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Post by Bick on Feb 15, 2021 10:23:00 GMT -8
Some are arguing that it's already ended for what seems to be half the country that no longer wishes to live with the vision of the Founding Fathers. I think that's OK, as people change, even if human nature doesn't really.
I'd also argue that having a smaller version of what many here view as the desirable way of life is far better than losing it all by trying to keep it all intact. Once political power becomes the primary objective of a country's leaders, I don't know if there is any history in the world that shows a non-violent ending, and a return to public service. Granted, I'm not the history buff MDD is, but I just don't recall any.
Lastly, counselor, I'd argue that if we choose to do nothing, or worse, try to regain political power, we'll see an escalation of violence like we've seen the past 12 months...only worse.
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MDDad
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Post by MDDad on Feb 15, 2021 11:43:01 GMT -8
It would be an absolute travesty to see this incredible experiment end after only 200+ years... I don't think the experiment would end as much as continue only in the new conservative nation. I disagree with Bick in that I think the conservative nation is the one that would keep our present Constitution, while the new liberal nation would have to write a new one. And even God on magic mushrooms couldn't imagine what they might come up with. With that said, I'm sure we're all upset by all the recent confrontational rhetoric, the double impeachments, the politicization of every issue and the perpetual riots in our streets. But what is most frightening is none of that. Rather it's the attempts by the left to censor all contrary opinion and punish those who utter them. That has never ended in anything but dictatorships and mass suffering.
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Bick
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Post by Bick on Feb 15, 2021 11:52:18 GMT -8
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Bick
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Post by Bick on Feb 15, 2021 11:55:40 GMT -8
It would be an absolute travesty to see this incredible experiment end after only 200+ years... I don't think the experiment would end as much as continue only in the new conservative nation. I disagree with Bick in that I think the conservative nation is the one that would keep our present Constitution, while the new liberal nation would have to write a new one. And even God on magic mushrooms couldn't imagine what they might come up with. I'm in agreement the Red would keep the present Constitution. Apologies for the incoherence in my writing.
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MDDad
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Post by MDDad on Feb 15, 2021 12:48:25 GMT -8
The requirement that both nations have Atlantic and Pacific coasts is geographically problematic. Without that caveat, we could almost divide up by state, with only California needing to be split. I think every square foot south and east of St. John Bosco should be red, and the rest of the state can go as blue as they want.
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Bick
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Post by Bick on Feb 15, 2021 13:34:57 GMT -8
Why would that be problematic? Seems it would be desirable to have access to both coasts for oversees trade.
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MDDad
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Post by MDDad on Feb 15, 2021 13:50:27 GMT -8
Because the three Pacific coast states are bluer and blue.
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Bick
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Post by Bick on Feb 15, 2021 16:38:59 GMT -8
Seems the line would be right near SF, so that gives them 2.5 of the 3 states on the pacific coast.
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MDDad
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Post by MDDad on Feb 15, 2021 16:46:42 GMT -8
Drop that line down a few miles so we can dump San Jose and Silicon Valley too. And we'll trade Los Angeles for Yosemite.
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