op-ed
As the fifth largest economy in the world, it’s time for California to secede from the United States, and stop letting them leech off our prosperity. California is in a league of it’s own, and it's exceptionally more progressive than the United States as a whole.
The victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 election, paired with his powerful Republican held congress has prompted fear in a large portion of America. This country is up in arms about the current state of politics and it’s only going to get worse before it gets better. The U.S. is going to struggle to survive, while California is ready to thrive.
This deep blue state is ages ahead of the rest of the country. California is the home to Silicon Valley, the tech capital of the world, bubbling with innovation, competition, opportunity, and brilliant minds. We have some of the most sought after higher education institutions in the world, popular tourism, and a bountiful and self-sustaining agriculture industry.
Of course, California is not all good. Public education is failing students and communities, with some of the most underserved school districts in the nation. Soaring rates of homelessness have overrun urban areas. And a historic drought is threatening residents and ecosystems in the state. But these problems can be addressed through a Calexit.
The overwhelming amounts of federal taxes that California has to pay to subsidize other failing states of the U.S. could be better used to rebuild the infrastructure of California. Already a progressive state, California has been a trailblazer for green initiatives while the rest of the country has lagged behind. A new Trump presidency means a band of climate change deniers will be festering all over capitol hill.
We can only do so much while still attached to the U.S. Being state that’s nearly half on the coast, and 68% of Californians living on the coast, we need our leaders to take climate change seriously. Fragile ecosystems and rising tides are no joke. The livelihood of California relies on progressive and fast-acting legislation on climate change. And that is not going to happen at the federal level.
California is nearing the 5th largest economy in the world, surpassing France and the UK in GDP. With our powerful agriculture industry, our exports would maintain a booming economy and our tech industry will remain strong and competitive in a Calexit.
A Calexit is entirely possible and here’s how. If the amount of federal taxes leaving the state were to remain, and California were to become it’s own country, that excess of tax dollars could allow us to become more like Nordic countries. Socialized healthcare, a surplus of tax dollars to help failing schools and homeless, and competitive trade will help California to flourish independent from the United States.
What’s more, the newly passed Prop 64, legalization of recreational marijuana, will also be a pillar in the California economy. The sale and taxation of recreational marijuana is expected to generate $1 billion in revenues annually. Although the proposition is poorly written, and revenue from marijuana won’t go directly into K-12 educational funding, it can be easily amended once the kinks are ironed out.
The secession from the United States would be historic, but it needs to be well thought out. Brexit was controversial and has led to great economic pitfalls, with the British pound hitting a 30 year low. Additionally, they have been plagued with racial divides, as hate crimes and discrimination are skyrocketing around the UK.
California prides itself on it’s hefty immigrant population. They contribute not only to the robust economy, but to the vibrant culture of California. We are one of the most diverse states in the country and, through a Calexit, have the ability to protect ourselves and our people from the anti-immigrant sentiments that have infected the United States. Moreover, California’s population and economy are the most vulnerable to the radical Trump policy of mass deportation.
There would be a drastic transition indeed, but California is strong enough to become independent. Of course, the inland California border will not detach and allow us to float out to sea on our perfect California island. But we can, and should keep using the U.S. dollar, we will trade with the rest of the remaining United States, and we will be just fine.
An independent California means greater opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world’s progress. The red tape and stagnant congress at the federal level is holding California back. The campaign has begun and every Californian needs to be on board.
Beautiful beaches, brilliant people, progressive policies that will keep California in the lead. It’s time to stop letting the United States suck the life out of us. It’s time for a Calexit.
You raise some very valid points. California is a vibrant haven for our nation's smartest, most progressive, and probably most wealthy. You're absolutely right about how we are essentially the trendsetter state for a variety of social issues. I do agree with the notion that in many ways, the United States is leeching off our resources and that with our tax money, we could fix our failing infrastructure and invest into our own citizens. However, I just don't see secession being feasible or even realistic because it simply isn't in the best interests of the United States to let California leave the union.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Neil, California is a booming state filled with a vibrant economy, diversity, and a progressive perspective of the world. Perhaps a Calexit is a great theory; in fact, joining Great Britain with their journey to independence would be quite interesting, since both places seem to be most adamant on being progressive. However great, I think the theory put into reality would be disastrous for the U.S. economy and quite frankly, very selfish of us to do. There is an unanimous vitriol towards President-elect Trump and everything that comes with the man, and I think that we feel that vitriol the most in California. I was appalled at how the people of the United States voted for such a terrible human being. I do not know necessarily how to fix the situation; however, I do know that there are many solutions to our current society's dilemma (i.e. education, simply talking about our opinions with people who do not necessarily believe in what we believe). A Calexit, much like the Brexit, would simply be just walking away from a difficult situation.
ReplyDeleteAh, if only. If only secession wasn't considered a blasphemous term used solely by unpatriotic traitors. Unfortunately, even discussing such a thing openly will be met with, at best, a highly raised eyebrow. It seems extremely unlikely that any state could secede in the near future, regardless of its economic status and its degree of autonomy. The nation is divided, certainly, and the gap between Republicans and Democrats widens daily, but no one in power who wishes to remain in power would even propose such a thing. Hopefully it will happen someday, as California really is an entity of its own, but it seems farfetched at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYou and the Calexit movement raise some really tempting points. Californians really do hold on to an identity of their own - when I'm in another country, I often say I'm from California rather than America. Surely we have the means to flourish independently. I guess the wistful part of me is still then committed to helping the rest of the country get back on its feet and tackle tomorrow's challenges as an undivided nation. Sure, the other part of me is angry at voters in the Rust Belt and Midwest and Deep South that, according to my political views, America would be better off subduing. But our Founding Fathers created this union so we'd be forced to compromise, so that our diversity of opinions would foster the best harmony in our republican democracy. Romantic and naive? Probably. Important, if we still want America to lead the free world? Absolutely.
ReplyDeleteThe hidden pitfall to this Calexit is the hidden minority of the 45% of republicans that live in middle/northern california. The post secession prosperity relies on this idea that all Californians are on board with the exit and that life would continue as normal - save for the allegiance to the US government. But these conservatives are quelled because their interests though not represented on a state level are still voiced nationally. If California were to secede these voices would get LOUD. I don't think the secession would be nearly as clean as you make it out to be. California would suffer the same issue of diversity and various interests that the US experiences on a larger scale. Seceding won't avoid the fact that we are a diverse nation with myriad interests. That is a fact that cannot be escaped no matter if we secede or not.
ReplyDeleteDoes the U.S. not need California more than ever? I think if a Calexit was possible--which it really is not--why would California leave the union? If anything, it would be a show of defiance, not a show of practicality. For all it's blessings, California is more divided than the surface shows. Not only are there vibrant Republican communities in rural California that function virtually the same as other rural Republican communities, but there are another two parties in California: blue and bluer. There are liberals, and more extreme liberals (especially concerning issues like housing/development and social issues). California, as a nation, would be as divided as the rest of the country if not more divided. Instead, California needs to stop whining, stay in the union, and help make the country a better place as a whole.
ReplyDeleteDoes the U.S. not need California more than ever? I think if a Calexit was possible--which it really is not--why would California leave the union? If anything, it would be a show of defiance, not a show of practicality. For all it's blessings, California is more divided than the surface shows. Not only are there vibrant Republican communities in rural California that function virtually the same as other rural Republican communities, but there are another two parties in California: blue and bluer. There are liberals, and more extreme liberals (especially concerning issues like housing/development and social issues). California, as a nation, would be as divided as the rest of the country if not more divided. Instead, California needs to stop whining, stay in the union, and help make the country a better place as a whole.
ReplyDeleteThe Calexit, while being good on paper, does not bode well for the rest of the United State of America.
ReplyDeleteYou're right--California is an incredibly progressive state that would probably be better off without the rest of the United States. However, how selfish would it be if we left the Union? Without California, America would have no hope of promulgating progressive ideas and pushing the American political consciousness to the left.
Plus, we need their water.
If we want to defeat Trump, the answer is not to leave then United States. Instead, we should be exploring our economic importance to block Trump's policies. California should use its influence to stop Trump, not leave the United States.
I honestly love the idea of Calexit despite the fact that it would never happen. In theory, it seems like a great idea if you are a Californian but there are honestly way too many issues that would come as a result. Trade issues, water rights, migration and border control, relations with the rest of the US upon exiting, relations with the world upon exiting(what foreign country would in their right mind recognize California as a sovereign nation with a pissed of United Sates looking over their shoulder?) and many others I'm sure we'd run across along the way. While I think its going to be interesting having Trump as president I don't think Calexit is the answer. And hopefully four years form now we will be electing a president more in sign with the California ideals.
ReplyDelete