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from the you-can-go-your-own-way-♩♫♩♫ dept.
Supporters of a plan for California to secede from the union took their first formal step Monday morning, submitting a proposed ballot measure to the state attorney general's office in the hopes of a statewide vote as soon as 2018.
Marcus Ruiz Evans, the vice president and co-founder of Yes California, said his group had been planning to wait for a later election, but the presidential election of Donald Trump sped up the timeline.
"We're doing it now because of all of the overwhelming attention," Evans said.
The Yes California group has been around for more than two years, Evans said. It is based around California taxpayers paying more money to the federal government than the state receives in spending, that Californians are culturally different from the rest of the country, and that national media and organizations routinely criticize Californians for being out of step with the rest of the U.S.
Could California go it alone?
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 23 2016, @05:37PM
They not only COULD go it alone, they SHOULD go it alone.
Please.
Seriously, guys, could you speed up the timeline? Maybe have a few extraordinary plenary sessions of your supreme council, or whatever it takes?
I mean, I'll be sad to see you go ...
... no, wait, I won't. Your politics are toxic, your industries leave me cold, and you offer nothing that the broader USA doesn't already have. I won't weep for Hollywood, Silicon Valley is the Home of the Bubble, and the Central Valley is what it is because of insane water management.
And besides, what is Shadowrun without CalFree?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by dyingtolive on Wednesday November 23 2016, @06:18PM
So Breitbart is the start of Humanis and Trump is actually an ancient dragon? I could see that.
Don't blame me, I voted for moose wang!
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Wednesday November 23 2016, @07:15PM
Hello there massive increase in the federal budget deficit. I'm sure glad you came to help us be rid of the most revenue positive state(of which there are quite few) in the union to satisfy the vague contempt of an anonymous internet poster, who thinks his fantasy-based politics aren't respected enough by them.
"Free me from the tyranny of a still functional economy!" he cries.
"If we worship at the altar of tax trickle down just a little harder, this time my midwestern/southern state will regain jobs, instead of backsliding even further." His prayers must be answered.
"Even though my politics are already incredibly over-represented in national political power, I'm still being oppressed by those damned HIPPIES". His anger needs placating. Please, destroy our union for his hate. Please.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 23 2016, @07:52PM
Massive increase in the ... what crack are you smoking?
California's revenue positive situation isn't holy writ, and there's every reason to believe that when their water-related insanity finally comes home to roost (because they're basically on life support from surrounding states) they'll be a financial lame duck. Just because they're doing OK today doesn't mean they won't be a massive liability tomorrow. Now's the time to ditch them.
Let's see, what do they do for the nation in industrial terms?
Hollywood ... that is quickly hollowing itself out in the direction of other states, Canada, and Mexico. Brilliant, scratch that one off the list.
The Central Valley's agriculture - that is already showing signs of being frightfully vulnerable to their water problems. Scratch that one.
And Silicon Valley. That is in competition with the Silicon Prairie, Silicon Alley, and of course their brethren further north in Portland (home of Intel), and Seattle (home of Amazon and vacation home of Microsoft, among others). So ... not all that special and unique.
I didn't say anything about trickle down economics, and I don't think that it works, so I think you're having an argument with a bogeyman in your head. Nor, for that matter, did I say anything about hippies or national power (I'm not a Trumpeter either).
So no, sorry. I'm just not buying what you're selling. California is a bad deal; a lemon with a rapidly-approaching warranty expiry date. The smart move is to ditch it while we can. Simple fiscal calculation, not hatred.