To say this country is divided is a massive understatement. That was true before the election, and it’s certainly true after. No matter which way you lean or who you voted for, one thing is painfully clear: there are many fundamental differences between liberals and conservatives that, at this point, seem to be completely irreconcilable.
Usually, the word “irreconcilable” is followed by the word “divorce.” And that’s essentially what I’m proposing.
Movements by Californians and Oregonians for their states to secede from the union are already underway. I propose that they shouldn’t go at it alone. Instead, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington DC should join together with California and Oregon to form a new country.
A New America.
(For the purposes of simplicity in this post, I’m referring to the seceding liberal states as “New America,” and the remaining conservative states as “Old America.” Obviously those names could be changed.)
And hey, it doesn’t have to be just those states. If a couple of counties in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio — or anywhere, really — want to join in, they’re more than welcome.
I know, it sounds crazy. New America wouldn’t be one geographically connected landmass anymore, which would make the map look messy. But that’s a silly reason to not think this through — after all, Alaska is already an outlier based on it’s location on the northwest corner of the continent.
But more than that, it’s time to think beyond traditional borders.
It’s time to come together with people based on our principles and ideals instead of just our physical locations.
Liberals and conservatives in this country have been arguing back and forth about the same issues for decades. Neither side has convinced the other. Talking about coming together to resolve our differences is great, but let’s be honest here: those words are often empty platitudes.
So why don’t we stop arguing with each other and stop forcing half the country to go against things they feel incredibly strongly about? Why don’t we just wish each other the best and go our separate ways?
I’m proposing a break-up, and those are never easy. This divorce would be difficult. But it would be worth it.
Think it can’t work? Let’s analyze the arguments against this idea.
- What about people who live in New America but have Old America values? Wouldn’t they be trapped? No, they’d be less trapped than they are now. Prior to many elections, it’s common to hear things like, “If [whomever] wins, I’m moving to [another country.]” But moving to a foreign land is daunting, especially if you’re planning to go back and forth depending on whether or not you like the current administration. With the formation of New America, people could choose to permanently relocate and surround themselves with like-minded people. Or not — no one would be forced or pressured to go anywhere, and people could certainty stay put and try to influence policy the usual democratic way: by voting and getting involved.
- This “divorce” would have the biggest “custody battle” the world has ever seen. Yes, Old America and New America would have to divide up resources, agencies, debt, armed forces, and more. This would take some serious negotiating, but it could be managed. And continuing with the divorce analogy: if you knew of a couple that was constantly fighting and profoundly miserable, would you advise them to stay together simply because it’d be too hard to figure out who gets the house and the dog?
- What would happen to families or companies that would be divided across the two countries? They’d be fine; people visit family members in other countries all the time now, just as they would in this scenario. And virtually every major company works across borders already; New America would just add one more country to that list.
- New and Old America would be inexorably linked, so what’s the point? All countries are inexorably linked now. What happens to one country affects others; that is just a simple reality of our world economy. The point is to allow the citizens of each country to have the day-to-day lives they want.
- You’d never get enough states to agree to it. This only works if both sides are willing to amicably separate. Yes, this proposal is motivated by those of us who are unhappy about Trump’s election. But many people weren’t happy when Obama was elected, so they should be able to empathize. (Let us not forget there were calls for secession after Obama won reelection in 2012.) Again, to use the divorce analogy, it may not begin as totally mutual, but the hope is that both sides will realize that separation is better for everyone involved.
- Why now? The country has been divided for years. That’s true. Maybe this should have been proposed before. But that’s no reason to not move forward now.
Is the idea of forming a new country intimidating and scary? Absolutely. I’m sure George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and our other founders had similar concerns about creating the United States. But think of the opportunity! New America could be a country formed on principles and values that matter to us. New America could be a country with:
- True equality for women and men
- Full LGBTQ rights
- Free or affordable healthcare for all citizens
- A welcoming immigration policy
- Common sense gun laws
- Economic opportunity and a living minimum wage for everyone
- A simple, majority wins election system, with multiple political parties
- Easy access to reproductive health options
- Religious freedom that does not allow for persecution of others
- A society built on environmental responsibility and sustainability
So, how would forming this new country work? The people from California’s secession movement have described how a Convention of the States could be used to leave the union. I’m not an expert on starting a new country (is anyone?), but in order for this to happen, we need to start a movement.
This is about more than a hashtag. If you like this idea, share it. On social media, sure, but in person too. Discuss it over Thanksgiving. Call up your elected officials and talk to them about it. Tell them that you want your state to be a part of the New America. (Or if you live in a conservative-leaning state, that you want to allow others to secede.) Talk to people in other parts of the country, on other sides the aisle. Don’t attack — this isn’t a call for revolution or violence. This is a plea for a peaceful and amicable divorce between two groups of Americans who just can’t make it work together anymore.
It’s time to move forward.
