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Petition Response: Our States Remain United
By Jon Carson, Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Thank you for using the White House's online petitions platform to participate in your government.
In a nation of 300 million people -- each with their own set of deeply-held beliefs -- democracy can be noisy and controversial. And that's a good thing. Free and open debate is what makes this country work, and many people around the world risk their lives every day for the liberties we often take for granted.
But as much as we value a healthy debate, we don't let that debate tear us apart.
Our founding fathers established the Constitution of the United States "in order to form a more perfect union" through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self-government. They enshrined in that document the right to change our national government through the power of the ballot -- a right that generations of Americans have fought to secure for all. But they did not provide a right to walk away from it. As President Abraham Lincoln explained in his first inaugural address in 1861, "in contemplation of universal law and of the Constitution the Union of these States is perpetual." In the years that followed, more than 600,000 Americans died in a long and bloody civil war that vindicated the principle that the Constitution establishes a permanent union between the States. And shortly after the Civil War ended, the Supreme Court confirmed that "[t]he Constitution, in all its provisions, looks to an indestructible Union composed of indestructible States."
Although the founders established a perpetual union, they also provided for a government that is, as President Lincoln would later describe it, "of the people, by the people, and for the people" -- all of the people. Participation in, and engagement with, government is the cornerstone of our democracy. And because every American who wants to participate deserves a government that is accessible and responsive, the Obama Administration has created a host of new tools and channels to connect concerned citizens with White House. In fact, one of the most exciting aspects of the We the People platform is a chance to engage directly with our most outspoken critics.
So let's be clear: No one disputes that our country faces big challenges, and the recent election followed a vigorous debate about how they should be addressed. As President Obama said the night he won re-election, "We may have battled fiercely, but it's only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future."
Whether it's figuring out how to strengthen our economy, reduce our deficit in a responsible way, or protect our country, we will need to work together -- and hear from one another -- in order to find the best way to move forward. I hope you'll take a few minutes to learn more about the President's ideas and share more of your own.
Tell us what you think about this response and We the People.
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but it's only because we love this country deeply
Originally posted by marbles87
reply to post by GoOfYFoOt
I think they are saying "We are judge, jury, and executioner" they didn't even address the possibility of a vote they just said no. Hell I would have put it to vote just to get a "feel" for what the people are really thinking. But I bet most people don't even know what it would mean if a state would to secede. It would be a huge deal to the state and to the rest of the states. The new state would have to form a new govenment hold elections, turn over any US property it would be messy.
Originally posted by muse7
No state has the right to secede from the Union.
If any State does try to secede then they should be given a week to think about it to and rejoin the union and if not then military action should be taken.edit on 1/11/2013 by muse7 because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by Wrabbit2000
reply to post by GoOfYFoOt
I think you make a good point here with Florida. Only a FEW states could even discuss secession as a unilateral move which wouldn't spell almost immediate fail in neon. Florida, Texas, California, Maine...among a few. ONLY exterior states on international borders need even joke about it for trade and commerce after the US cuts them off from so much as bottled water.
Florida..could make it though. Florida and Texas both have the population, international relations in their own right to work outside the US 'fold' if pushed hard enough ..and have domestic production or could generate what they don't have..very quickly.
Florida could even make money by leasing the Space Center back to Washington at some laughably high rate the same way the launch center in the old Soviet map is now for them? It would be interesting to see with the President quick to condemn other nations that put down "revolution".