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: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 23 2016, @07:39PM
Well then, allow me to respond in kind-
Nothing in my statement implies or even references violence. In fact, I was tempted to reference that California's economy is larger than several independent nations.
So what does that tell me about you?
I've actually lived in California. While not quite plumbing the depths of shallowness like Florida, it ain't exactly the cultural epicenter you make it out to be (of course if you could ever find it within yourself to travel a bit instead of looking down from your ivory towers, you might have found this out yourself). Nearly all of the enduring American art forms originate from the south, and the south is by and large far more integrated than keeping your basket of deplorables sequestered in Oakland and Compton.
So much for being so advanced.
And the vast majority of your state is conservative. You might have to actually stop in a place like Victorville rather than driving through on your way to Las Vegas, but they are there. Guess what? They don't like you either.
Now a sane man would look at all this hostility coming their way and might have a moment of doubt, maybe a bit of soul-searching, but as you seem incapable, allow me to wish you well on your adventures, far, far away from me.
would prefer that we all work together to make a better country.
And your post makes perfectly clear why this will never happen.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 23 2016, @08:27PM
Le sigh, backpedaling like a true champion, good job. There are plenty of terrible places in California it is true, and the vast minority of the state is conservative. Just using "ivory towers" shows the type of person you are and the presumptions you make. Have fun with your backwards culture, may your children take the best of your teachings and then grow beyond them.
I fully understand the hostility, it is misplaced in just about every way except on the issues of abortion and civil rights (I presume you are not pro-choice and that gays should not be allowed to marry).
I've traveled across the US and many other countries as well, so spare me that little bit. Other states are great, except for the people such as yourself who would imprison or kill those that don't share your beliefs. Thankfully you are in the minority of the US and it is only a matter of time before your archaic and likely religious beliefs are relegated to history.
If you'd like to have a more productive discussion please include a point by point list of your grievances, why are you so hostile towards Californians? You may be surprised in how much a godless liberal such as myself might agree with. At the least we can all then be clear about our positions.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by mechanicjay on Wednesday November 23 2016, @08:46PM
may your children take the best of your teachings and then grow beyond them.
Ha! I'm saving that one.
My VMS box beat up your Windows box.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 23 2016, @09:03PM
Pffft, you're a laugh riot.
In case I was being a little too obtuse in saying "I've actually lived in California", let me repeat I lived in California.
I'm a godless, let-the-queers-do-what-they-want-abortions-for-all hedonist at heart.
I left in part to sanctimonious assholes like you.
So basically 0 for 3 there guy.
Don't let the door hit you on your ass on the way out.