The Divided States of America

Easily one of my favorite fallouts from the 2012 presidential campaign has been this sudden desire from a small group of individuals in over thirty states who want their states to secede from the United States of America.

In one of the most ridiculous stories of the year, approximately 36 states have seen petitions been started to try and politely ask President Barack Obama if they can become their own separate nation. All that is required of these citizens is that they acquire 25,000 signatures – which, if you think about it, is an exceptionally small number to accumulate considering how large most states are these days – over the span of 30 days.

Obviously I have a few problems with this whole idea. First and foremost, the idea that people would be so disturbed over the election results that they would want them and those who live in the same state as them to secede from the union. I mean I can understand if you no longer want to be subject to the federal government’s rules and regulations, but to force other people to share your viewpoint is just complete short-sighted and lacks a logical basis.

Then of course there is the simple matter that the president reviews these petitions, and then he ultimately decides upon what he wants to do with them. Does anybody signing these petitions really think President Obama is going to be known as the president who lost states during his administration? I mean come on people, where is your common sense.

Now of course this is a fun little story that people like me can scoff at, but it does address a larger concern for the overall state of the United States of America. With this level of discontent within the union, how long until we see our nation plunge into an ideological civil war? My guess, give it 15-20 years. The wedge this election seems to have made within our nation, backed by the Tea Party movement and the overall extremism push that seems to be growing on the right (and, on occasion, the left as well) is something we as citizens need to be conscious of.

‘Cause if we are not, these petitions may lead to something far more serious.