Could this actually happen (possible debate)

[CapeCodTenor]

While thumbin' my way through the Boston Herald this morning, I came across a story about the book, "The United States of America," written by Juan Enriquez (Biotech venture capitalist and former Harvard Business Director). In this book, Mr. Enriquez says that, "...deepening economic, political, religioius and ethnic divisions within the country could make the seemingly unthinkable thinkable: portions of America breaking off to form their own countries" (Boston Herald article, 7/6/06). So I got to thinking that this might be a good topic to discuss. My original intent was not to start a thread bashing dems, rep.'s and/or President Bush, but to discuss the possibility of this happening, and if so, would it be because of the reasons he gave or other reasons? Also, would we be able to keep this from happening? I guess I should also ask, could this ever happen? I'm under the gun to start work, so I'll be brief with my answer. I don't think it could happen. Dispite the propblems we have, I don't think Americans would be willing to let something like this happen. A lot of people consider this the greatest country in the world, and I don't think people would allow this to happen, that's just my thought.

As the thread started I must say that because of my new position at work I don't get the opportunity to get online as often as I once was able to. Because of this, I won't be able to post as often as I'd like on this thread, but will try to get on when I can.

 

[diznygirl]

I agree that the short answer is definitely not - Americans would not let America splinter off into sub-countries.

And although there are many sub-groups within America - red vs blue being a good example - I think currently there isn't enough agreement on anything to allow this to happen!

 

[noodleknitter]

I don't think that the American people could work out the logistics, even if they have "mentally made a break."

It isn't as though everyone who lives in the Bible belt believes the same things, as would be the case of the coasts and the fly-overs.

 

[floridaminnie]

I don't see it happening....we are blessed with a country where the majority understand it's ok to agree to disagree...and when it comes down to it, we unite together when it counts.

 

[Planogirl]

I can't see it happening either at least not just yet. There are certainly divisions within this country but unless things get a whole lot worse, I think that people generally tolerate the differences quite well.

The situation in Quebec came to mind when I read your post. I thought at one time that Quebec had a good chance of attempting to leave Canada but it appears that even they've worked out their differences.

 

[LuvDuke]

While thumbin' my way through the Boston Herald this morning, I came across a story about the book, "The United States of America," written by Juan Enriquez (Biotech venture capitalist and former Harvard Business Director). In this book, Mr. Enriquez says that, "...deepening economic, political, religioius and ethnic divisions within the country could make the seemingly unthinkable thinkable: portions of America breaking off to form their own countries" (Boston Herald article, 7/6/06). So I got to thinking that this might be a good topic to discuss. My original intent was not to start a thread bashing dems, rep.'s and/or President Bush, but to discuss the possibility of this happening, and if so, would it be because of the reasons he gave or other reasons? Also, would we be able to keep this from happening? I guess I should also ask, could this ever happen? I'm under the gun to start work, so I'll be brief with my answer. I don't think it could happen. Dispite the propblems we have, I don't think Americans would be willing to let something like this happen. A lot of people consider this the greatest country in the world, and I don't think people would allow this to happen, that's just my thought.

As the thread started I must say that because of my new position at work I don't get the opportunity to get online as often as I once was able to. Because of this, I won't be able to post as often as I'd like on this thread, but will try to get on when I can.

Could it happen? Of course it could happen. This country was founded on revolution and breaking away.

Will it happen? Probably not in our lifetime, but we're headed down a dangerous road. This country is split right down the middle and the resentments and distrust are building daily. No good will come of this.

Will Americans let it happen? Why not? Look what we've let happen just in the last few years all in the name of "security". Your phone records aren't private and neither are your bank records, internet activities, etc. We've got a million and one reasons why that's a good thing but never seem to come to the real reason: someone wants to spy on us. We've got a prison in Guantanamo where no one really knows who's there, what crime they've committed, or where they were picked up. All we're told is it's for "security".

How low have we sunk? How many times do we hear the phrase "what good is liberty if you're dead"? The rallying cry used to be "Give me liberty or give me death". Now, it's be afraid, be very afraid.

There's no common ground anymore and none is sought because that's seen as weakness. When was the last time you saw someone on one side of the political aisle reach over to someone on the other side of the poltical aisle? It doesn't happen anymore and it won't happen unless there's a change and that has to start from the American people who have a deepening divide splitting the country.

So, to sum it all up, yes it can happen and yes it will happen if we keep going down this road. After all, it wouldn't be the first time and history does repeat itself. It wouldn't be a question of will it or can it happen as I don't think anyone seriously wants that. But, events do have a way of taking over.

 

[noodleknitter]

It isn't as though many things are that cut and dried either. How many issues would people really be willing to segregate themselves for? I would think there are only a couple, maybe, and then people would have to be militant about those issues.

I guess that there are those who have issues with diversity, but don't know anyone who would/could be that militant.

OP- I think it was very nice of you to alert people to the fact that you have limited options for posting today. Otherwise people start hollering "troll."

 

[aunt kelly]

I don't think the American people would stand for it. I think as Americans we are trained from a young age that diversity of backgrounds and opinions is what makes our country great. We always come together when necessary.
I don't think that Americans would allow their nation to be "chopped up."

 

[cardaway]

Does it really need to be official? Outside of everybody paying taxes into the same kitty, a large majority of the population might as well be living in different countries. Red vs. Blue is more than just a cute map.

I do think it could get a lot worse if the hot topic decisions were given back to the states. I could very easily see things breaking down over civil rights and abortion.

 

[mickeyfan2]

It won't happen. Take the red/blue issue. Big cities are blue and the burbs are red. Would you have a country of just the big cities and one of the burbs. The big cities need the burbs to pay money to them and the burbs need the big city for museums etc. Each stands for different things but each needs the other to make them whole.

I believe this 50/50 split will be around for a long time. I have friends who are 180 different on many issues. We remain friends because we enjoy each others company. Would we sever our relationship over the red/blue issue, nope. So why would we separated into two countries.

Also the Civil War as very bloody and sad, most Americans do not want to see those days again.

The example given of Canada and Quebec is also very telling. In the end they came to terms with their differences and realized they both really are more a like than different.

 

[noodleknitter]

I do think it could get a lot worse if the hot topic decisions were given back to the states. I could very easily see things breaking down over civil rights and abortion.

That is an interesting point. I suspect that you are right.

 

[ead79]

It won't happen. Take the red/blue issue. Big cities are blue and the burbs are red. Would you have a country of just the big cities and one of the burbs. The big cities need the burbs to pay money to them and the burbs need the big city for museums etc. Each stands for different things but each needs the other to make them whole.

I believe this 50/50 split will be around for a long time. I have friends who are 180 different on many issues. We remain friends because we enjoy each others company. Would we sever our relationship over the red/blue issue, nope. So why would we separated into two countries.

Also the Civil War as very bloody and sad, most Americans do not want to see those days again.

The example given of Canada and Quebec is also very telling. In the end they came to terms with their differences and realized they both really are more a like than different.

Well said--I agree. Also, though Americans disagree on many issues, I honestly don't feel that very many Americans would even entertain the idea of splitting from the USA as a way to have separate laws. Despite our very different viewpoints, we still see ourselves as united, especially when it really counts.

 

[marybet]

I think it could happen. I am a yankee living in Alabama. When I first moved here I was very surprised at the way some people still think about the Civil War. There are groups that still call it The War of Northern Aggression. There are confederate groups that still fly the stars and bars, which offends a lot of people. They celebrate Jefferson Davis's birthday. And although they probably don't want a return of slavery, they still think that blacks should "know their place".

I don't think there are enough of them right now, but who knows? Add in all the Bible belt issues and you have a whole different mindset. Will they break away? Probably not, but I think it keeps the country divided.

For me the biggest problem is that people don't have an open mind. You can see it on this board. There are the ones who are for Bush and the ones who aren't and there is very little middle ground. When did disagreement turn to hate? How many times do people say "if you don't like it, leave the country". Just because you don't like the way the government is working doesn't mean you want to move to another country. Everything seems to be black or white, no gray areas. I know that I don't really say anything when I am faced with racist comments. I can't change the way they think and I have to live here, but there are times when I want to scream. And I am talking about little things that people say, not overt comments or people using the "n" word. But at what point do all the small things added together become a major problem?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Does it really need to be official? Outside of everybody paying taxes into the same kitty, a large majority of the population might as well be living in different countries.

Good insight In many ways some of us have -intentionally or not -separated ourselves from one another. Some of the moral values that are commonly held in some regions are not nearly as important to citizens of other regions. Lines drawn on a map may make things official, but the separation is already underway. This is fueled by our postmodern need to express our own individuality instead of being part of a larger collective conscience. One need look no further than the former Soviet states for an example.

I do think that the USA has something unique in the world for this moment in history, It is referred to by other posters: the willingness to pull together despite differences in opinion. I think this means it will be quite some time before we become the Untied States of America (at least on the map).

 

[cardaway]

I think it could happen. I am a yankee living in Alabama. When I first moved here I was very surprised at the way some people still think about the Civil War. There are groups that still call it The War of Northern Aggression. There are confederate groups that still fly the stars and bars, which offends a lot of people. They celebrate Jefferson Davis's birthday. And although they probably don't want a return of slavery, they still think that blacks should "know their place".

I don't think there are enough of them right now, but who knows? Add in all the Bible belt issues and you have a whole different mindset. Will they break away? Probably not, but I think it keeps the country divided.

That's exactly one of the examples I was thinking of as what would cause a breaking point. I do believe that there could easily be some places that would be very hostile towards any minority if states were given the right to vote on some issues again. Of course the same is true in places that would vote in a way that would create a divide between the majority in that state and folks that would like it to be more like the other states.

But it wouldn't have to be a repeat of the Civil War. Personally if it all went down like I'm thinking it could, I coud care less if some states wanted to break off. They would end up so different it would already be like separate countries anyway.

Lastly, if the worse case scenario was to happen, I think we would be better off broken up. The problem is that this time it there isn't a true geographical dividing line.

 

[noodleknitter]

I think that if you used your example of states being given total control, that in a generation the country would be divided into pieces. People would theoretically "pick" a state to live and work, based on the laws, etc.

 

[cardaway]

Good insight In many ways some of us have -intentionally or not -separated ourselves from one another. Some of the moral values that are commonly held in some regions are not nearly as important to citizens of other regions. Lines drawn on a map may make things official, but the separation is already underway. This is fueled by our postmodern need to express our own individuality instead of being part of a larger collective conscience. One need look no further than the former Soviet states for an example.

I do think that the USA has something unique in the world for this moment in history, It is referred to by other posters: the willingness to pull together despite differences in opinion. I think this means it will be quite some time before we become the Untied States of America (at least on the map).

You expended on my thoughts exactly as I would have.

Ooops, sorry, you asked me to ignore your posts.

 

[Arielle22]

I don't see a split happening. Everyone has spoken about issues which have divided the country but this isn't new. I have never read that the country agreed on all major issues.

If anything I think as time goes on the country grows closer. People can fly across the country within hours. Children go to college in other states. When a crime happens in one state (say child murder) the entire country follows the story.The more you are exposed to others, the harder it is to think with a them vs us mentality.

Lastly, just because a state is red or blue doesn't mean that everyone in that state is. I may have more in common with someone from Florida than someone in Boston.

 

[cardaway]

I think that if you used your example of states being given total control, that in a generation the country would be divided into pieces. People would theoretically "pick" a state to live and work, based on the laws, etc.

No theoretically about it. I know there is no way I could live in some states if things were to change on that scale.

 

[LuvDuke]

Btw, great thread CapeCodTenor!