A postcard from out-of-country. Texas, that is.

What would it take to secede from the Union?

What would the overwhelming ramifications be?

To be sure, it is not something that goes un-discussed. This is a topic that is bandied about in certain states, Texas being one of them, regularly.

In this day and age, could a state even manage it?

Think about it from a money perspective. Texas is home to some multi-billion dollar international corporations. Their allegiance to Texas is likely only with a favorable tax base. They don't want to lose the millions of dollars, er consumers, that might look negatively on them if they were to secede with a Texas state.

What about politics?

You really think the U.S. Government wouldn't pull a trick out of Russia's hat, as recently displayed in Georgia over in Europe? You bet your sweet bippy the army and national guard from all over would be called up to take positions anywhere around and in Texas they could manage.

They would feel they had to. The U.S. would be a laughingstock around the world if one state broke away after all the B.S. U.S. politicians have blustered to just about every other country out there.

The U.S government would adopt a "If you aren't with us, you are against us." position in the situation, only making a difficult situation worse.

As we speak, our politicians are actively encouraging corporations to build 'smart grids' referring to power companies using modern technology to control exactly how much electricity you use, where you get that electricity from and even enabling them to make the decision to change the temperature settings on your thermostat if they think you are using too much.

It's true. Imagine what it would be like for you to have to pay your bill for electricity every month, only to have some faceless corporation, with the blessing of your government, telling you how cold or hot you can have your home.

No, I can't imagine anyone thinking about secession with something like that coming down the pipes.

Am I advocating secession? No. It's not the answer either.

It's a tempting thought though. Provoking to say the least. Starting all over, from scratch, if you will with a new 'national' government. Trying to improve on the things that were good about the old government and do away with the negatives at the same times.

No, it wouldn't really solve anything and I'm not sure it could happen anyway at this point in history without a lot of companies buying in (it would take a tremendous amount of money to finance the ordeal) and a lot of unnecessary bloodshed.

No, all it would really take to fix things is to have the politicians get a spine and tell the corporations to stick it. This is a country "of the people, by the people, and for the people", not "of the corporations, for the corporations".

Our politicians are too easily bought by companies with big budgets for gifts and vacations and board positions after they retire.

The best solution is that as provided by the U.S. Constitution. Vote them suckers out and don't elect easily corrupted con artists back in.

If the corporations have their way, the people of this country will have no individual freedoms left, all in the name of the dollar.

Yes, I can see the appeal of the discussion to secede. I just think there's a better way to effect real change that would help everyone, not just the lucky SOB's who got a second chance to start over.