51st State a possibility!

[Truth Warrior]

I think Mexico and Canada will be the new ones.<IMHO>

 

[UnReconstructed]

What difference will it make? It will still be people trying to tell other people how to live... in the geographic politically designated area called "Jefferson".

I can get all that shit I want where I am. Be part of the Free State Project or the Lakota Republic.

 

[Truth Warrior]

What difference will it make? It will still be people trying to tell other people how to live... in the geographic politically designated area called "Jefferson".

I can get all that shit I want where I am. Be part of the Free State Project or the Lakota Republic.

Is David Henry Thoreau the brother of Henry David Thoreau?

 

[Pauls' Revere]

Regardless whether they can or will succeed or not, its great to know someone is doing something to let the country know of our forgotten rights. Most people complain about problems and sit on their asses not making an effort, but these people are actually doing something. They have my support. Do I think it will work? Absolutely not. But it will open up the minds of the citizens around the area to a more constitution-friendly mindset. Maybe make the West a much more Ron-Paul friendly target for the 2012 elections for RP or anyone running like him.

I concur whole heartedly!

 

[mellamojuana]

The question of secession

I wish I could succeed at seceding as an individual citizen, and remain in place geographically.

I'd like to hear about Jefferson's successful secession in the future.

 

[UnReconstructed]

No, I just thought it sounded better.

Actually, I don't know how I did that but thanks for catching it!

 

[mediahasyou]

That state should secede not join.

 

[cheapseats]

Jefferson State! compiling Northern California and Southern Oregon could secede and become our 51st state! They breifly did so just prior to WW2 but the war stopped the effort. Now it's gaining stem again.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/05/MNNP138DLP.DTL

http://www.jeffersonstate.com/jeffersonnews.html

Seeking signatures
The Grange Hall of Yreka, a farm-based service organization, is activating 51 of its brethren halls in the area to collect 1 million signatures to have a statehood advisory measure put on the California ballot. Tony Intiso, a runoff candidate in the Nov. 4 election for Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors, has pledged to force the issue and is running campaign ads calling for regional freedom. The number of registered users of a decade-old Web site advocating partition has suddenly shot from dozens to more than 900.

"Heck yeah, it's a darn good idea," said Richard Mitchell, manager of the Cooley & Pollard Hardware Store on Miner Street, the main drag in the blink-and-you-miss-it town of Yreka. "Those liberal people down south don't understand us at all, and if there was a vote today to form a new state, it would pass in a heartbeat.

"I would bet on it."

The window of Mitchell's store, where he tends the register in worn work boots and a camouflage hunting cap, displays T-shirts and flags sporting the state "seal" of Jefferson: Two X's denoting the double-crossing the area supposedly gets from the capitols of California and Oregon.





I must see what I can do to help.

I, as well. MORE letters in the drafting phase -- a Dissident's work is never done.

As it happens, I am free to relocate anywhere on earth. As it also happens, ironically, there are not so many places on earth to which a person is allowed to freely betake themselves, and now there is also talk of restricting EGRESS from the country.

It is not inconceivable that you have identified the spot to which I shall excuse myself from the BULLSHIT THAT PASSES FOR NORMAL IN AMERICA -- after, that is, my Greater Depression Tour of America. Eureka, literally and figuratively.

 

[gaazn]

50 is such a nice round number, so it'll never happen unless maybe Virginia annexes West Virginia or the Dakotas merge.

 

[cheapseats]

50 is such a nice round number, so it'll never happen unless maybe Virginia annexes West Virginia or the Dakotas merge.

Puerto Rico would make 52. One state per week of the year . . . I spy a weekly holiday. Or there's the District of Corruption.

I would ask the obvious question, why DOES Puerto Rico vote in our presidential elections?

Also, asymmetry is reputedly a sign of genius . . . and it must be owned that, given the magnitude of the clusterfuck, a change in the arrangement of the stars on our flag is hardly a Herculean task. We can have a contest. Contests are good for morale during a Depression.

 

[clowns789]

I would ask the obvious question, why DOES Puerto Rico vote in our presidential elections?

They don't, it's just states and D.C. that vote.

 

[cheapseats]

They don't, it's just states and D.C. that vote.

Fair enough. Why do Puerto Ricans vote in our presidential primaries? Our final outcome, it must be owned, was much dictated by what happened in the primaries.

I observe, further, that Puerto Ricans have voted against statehood for the third time. Do WE have any say in whether Puerto Rico becomes a state? Do WE have any say in public policy in Puerto Rico? Dr. Phil would say that this quasi-aligned (or is it quasi-controlled?), UNCOMMITTED arrangement must be workin' for them. Like shackin' up instead of gettin' hitched, maybe.

Q:
Why does Puerto Rico participate in the presidential primary and not the general election?
A:
The United States Constitution grants voting privileges in the general election to the states and the District of Columbia only, not to U.S. territories.
With 55 pledged delegates at stake, residents of Puerto Rico will head to their local election polls June 1 and cast ballots in the Democratic presidential primary. But for most of Puerto Rico's estimated 3.9 million residents, that’s where their presidential voting activity will end.

Unless they have official residency in a U.S. state or the District of Columbia, people living in Puerto Rico, and all other U.S. territories, are not permitted to vote in the general election in November. The Office of the Federal Register, which oversees the Electoral College, says on its Web site that "the Electoral College system does not provide for residents of U.S. Territories, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa to vote for President." Those with official domicile in a state or Washington, D.C., can vote by absentee ballot or travel to their home state to vote.


The hurdle for U.S. territories is in Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which, in the matter of electing a president, states: "Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress."

As we've said before, the electors, not voters, actually cast the ballots that will determine who becomes president. The Constitution designates electors for states and the District of Columbia only. D.C. gained the right to vote in the general election by way of the 23rd Amendment in 1961. In order for residents of a territory to gain the right to vote in the general election, the territory would have to gain statehood, or the Constitution would have to be amended. These are not easy tasks, and over the years residents of Puerto Rico haven't always embraced the idea of becoming the 51st state.

Though recognized as a U.S. territory, the Caribbean island is actually a commonwealth with its own constitution. In 1998, citizens of Puerto Rico voted against statehood for the third time, in favor of keeping their current status. Under this form of government, Puerto Rico residents are recognized as U.S. citizens, but they don't pay federal income taxes and they cannot vote in presidential elections. But that could change. In late April, a bill to allow residents of the island to officially vote on whether to become a state passed a congressional committee for the first time. Previous votes on statehood were not authorized by the U.S. government.

Despite being excluded from the general election, territories are allowed to participate in the presidential primary and caucus process. The Federal Register further explains: "The political parties may authorize voters in primary elections in Territories to select delegates to represent them at the political party conventions. But that process does not affect the Electoral College system." Already this year, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Puerto Rican Republican Party have held caucuses or primaries.

-D'Angelo Gore


Clarification, May 16: Puerto Ricans do not pay federal income taxes, but they do pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. Our original article did not make the distinction clear.

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/why_does_puerto_rico_participate_in_the.html

 

[Volitzer]

We may have multiple state seccessions before 2012.

 

[cheapseats]

We may have multiple state seccessions before 2012.

This is what I think, though. I think that an attempt by multiple states to secede would incite panic>>violence>>Civil War.

But ONE new state? I am possessed by a clarity and certainty that I cannot explain that the time is RIGHT NOW for one new state. An experiment, in Mr. Change's first year.

I joined I'm-not-sure-which aspect of the Jefferson State Project. Someone who joined before me commented that he loved the idea and was completely on board, but that it probably didn't have a snowball's chance in hell. I commented that Jefferson State is the most logical idea that's been proffered this whole Campaign Season - and that it has a snowball's chance in Tahoe, in February.

 

[cheapseats]

Would anyone besides myself seriously consider moving to Jefferson, if statehood is a fait accompli? I have my eye on Eureka, thanks to this thread. A king's ransom for a view of the sea.

 

[Pauls' Revere]

I would sell every non essential and move in a heartbeat. If Ron was Governor it would be twice as sweet.

 

[nodope0695]

DC has a better shot of being the 51st state, and that ain't happening either, despite Paul Strauss's "noble" and "valiant" efforts.

Wouldn't making D.C. a state be against the Constituion (as if it's followed anyway)?

 

[Pauls' Revere]

From the sites blog:

Getting back to reality...
Now that some of the euphoria has worn off, we can see that there is huge interest in this concept. Now the work begins.

I am in the process of adding newly registered Committee Members to the list. I have a multitude of email to answer, 99% positive. A lot of out of area folks want to help with petitions or in any way they can. We appreciate your offers and will hopefully be able to take you up on your offers. This is what I call citizenship in action.

If you aren't happy with the way your country is going, then you do something to change it. This is where we are. Why should we be tossed about by every whim of a politician or special interest group? Hah, we are a special interest group. Right. Our interest is in keeping our jobs or keeping our businesses going or stating a new venture.

Leave something to the politicians and they have to kill it. Then, they can ride to the rescue and do twice as much damage trying to save it.

If you are happy with the direction our country is going then I would expect you to be against our ideals. Let us be solution oriented. Looking to centralized government hasn't brought many solutions, just more regulation, more taxes and more ways for Uncle to get into our business.

So here we are. Leo and I will be working together within the Grange to formulate a plan to bring about the changes we are looking for. If nothing else is accomplished, we will be assembling a political force with more power than if we work individually.

A constitution is on the agenda. A Constitutional Convention would be in order. Give us a few days to get more organized, while holding down our real jobs, and we will post the information as we go and get more people involved.

All of your suggestions are seen and heard and appreciated. Negative comments get thought through and filed.

Stay in touch and keep the faith.

Brian Petersen

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Article 4 sec 3:

SECTION. 3.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this
Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within
the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed
by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States,
without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned
as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all
needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or
other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing
in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice
any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

So, as long as they have consent of the legislatures of the two states in question i.e. Oregon and California, and congress it's doable right?

It didn't happen with West Virginia seceeding from Virginia during the Civil War. Lincoln let that illegal act happen.

Then again, Virginians today, seemed to want no part of WV. SO it may be a blessing.

Salute:

 

[cindy25]

I thought Israel was the 51st state. they already have two senators (Lieberman and Schmumer)

seriously, Upper Michigan has long wanted statehood, and New York City at one time wanted to be the state of Roosevelt. and Texas has some provision where it can break up into 5 states if it so chooses.