In Vermont, it's out in the open. They're talking secession, and seriously. It won't go anywhere, largely because one of the leaders is a former Duke Economics professor - and as we all know, Duke sucks. If not for that, they might have had a shot.
"It's an abusive relationship we have with the central government," says Peter Garritano, a square-jawed 54-year-old Subaru sales manager who is running for lieutenant governor. "We know it's scary to leave the abusive nest. It's a comfort zone in its own way. But we think we'll do better leaving."
Actually, they have the resources to pull it off, and good reason to do so: they only get 75 cents back for every dollar that they pay to the feds; many think they could do better by holding onto their cash and investing in the Republic of Vermont, even if that means substantially restructuring the currency system and infrastructure investments. Can they actually follow through? There are two answers to that question: "No". And "Hell, No".
But they don't need to push; just by raising the issue, they're making it abundantly clear that they don't want to be dragged down the path that Dems are currently marking.
Considering what happened the last time a few states tried to secede, I don't think they're going to get very far.
But they're sending a pretty loud message to D.C.
Now if only they can get a few more people on their side and vote for real Senators. And Congressmen, and Mayors, and dog-catchers.
Posted by: ZZMike | January 31, 2010 at 10:20 PM
It's the next logical step in the message loop. BO didn't get it from the Massachusetts vote.
Of course, it's unlikely that he'll get it from the word "secession", either.
Posted by: Max | February 01, 2010 at 05:09 PM