States to Remain United As White House Shoots Down Secession Petitions

The White House's official response calls fur unity, participation in government

Turns out that residents who wanted their states to be allowed to secede from the nation after President Barack Obama won reelection will have to stay put. The White House calls for working together to solve the nation's problems in its official response to eight online petitions for secession.

"In a nation of 300 million people -- each with their own set of deeply-held beliefs -- democracy can be noisy and controversial. And that's a good thing," writes Jon Carson, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, on the White House's We the People online petition site. "Free and open debate is what makes this country work, and many people around the world risk their lives every day for the liberties we often take for granted. But as much as we value a healthy debate, we don't let that debate tear us apart."

Carson said that the Constitution grants the right to change the government through "the power of the ballot."

The response was to petitions for secession rights in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Any petition with more than 25,000 signatures gets an official response.

Via We the People

Will the White House response inspire more unity?

[Thunderchicken]

The response is nothing more than an advertisement for this administration.

[Rocker]

Did anybody else pick up the irony - Repubs were against secession the first time; this time it's the Dems.

[SmedleyButler]

@Rocker How do you know this is republicans, not former dems and reps seeing the failure of both, and having a libertarian view on this?

[Rocker]

@SmedleyButler - You are correct. I should have been more specific instead of so general. Make that read: Repub and Dem Presidential Administrations taking the anti-secessionist view.

[PNWest]

@Rocker Does anybody else know about changing party philosophies? It was the conservatives who wanted to secede then just as it is the conservative who want to secede now.

[Rocker]

@PNWest - Yes, that's a part of the irony too. As well as the Presidents, one Black (part) and one White trying to keep the country together. I'm not pointing to right or wrong here. Just the irony. Should Liberal, Moderate, or Conservative be more accurate or prevalent than Dem or Repub as a description of philosophies? If so, then I'm probably out-dated.

[stepped_in_it]

"Will the White House response inspire more unity?" IMO, unity comes from the LEADERS! And we all know how united our leaders are. Right?(HMMM, do as I say and not as I do)

[Real4WheelDrv]

would vote this up so many times I'd break the internet if I could.

[cdman]

@Real4WheelDrv i'll up vote it for ya!

[Real4WheelDrv]

@cdman Hooray for teamwork!

[texas_cutie75]

@Real4WheelDrv

I voted up for you and me!

[Real4WheelDrv]

@texas_cutie75 huzzah!

[harold_lloyd]

To all the secessionists out there...

Please find a better place to live, and go there.
We'll try to keep going without you.
Serves us right, doesn't it?
Seeya!

[SmedleyButler]

Hey, If the Federal government keeps stepping on the constitution and progresses towards totalitarianism, Then the succession movement should continue. If re-gressives want to leave liberty states, Seeya! Or, Instead of MAKING people comply with your failed grandiose idea of communism, socialism and have repackaged it as a workers paradise, Why don't you have a working model? I'm sure you can get Barry to give you a waver like his corporate buddies, and let you form a experiment with willing volunteers to prove it(kibbutz). You can be like the AARP of socialists, and meet all their needs when they need you. The government couldn't do it, but I'm sure it's no problem for you. Then if your successful, you can be like any other tax exempt religion of ideas.

[woodtick57]

@SmedleyButler What socialist and communist ideas are you forced to comply with? do you even know what those terms mean?

[woodtick57]

@SmedleyButler

as I thought...

[SmedleyButler]

@woodtick57 What ever. I've been though this so many times, it isn't worth the time.

[jessejaymes]

Well crap. I guess we have to go on supporting the bible belt while they go on spewing their nonsense and living off the sweat of atheists.

[stepped_in_it]

Hey there....I'm in that upper bible belt but also am an atheists.....and I sweat too!(and it's very lonely here, but quiet, on Sundays.....LOL)

[woodtick57]

@stepped_in_it

Easy to get a tee time for early Sunday? what could be wrong with that?

[jessejaymes]

@stepped_in_it Yeah every state in the bible belt has some decent people. Unfortunately you are not in the majority or you'd put a stop to this nonsense.

[kathyparsell]

@jessejaymes
Not @stepped_in_it, or even you can stop the free expression of disappointed citizens. We all know that is what it was, a reaction, and to be fair to the secessionist, what better way to counter the "mandate".

[justapirate]

@woodtick57 Sunday morning is my favorite time to pull out the bike and burn some miles. I can look around and nibnose through the twisties without anyone trying to drive up my pipes.
Gotta give it up when church lets out though. It gets a might dangerous out there if you ain't watching 'em like a hawk.

[JustTheFacts]

petition for secession ... lol ... you want to leave the union ... just leave and start another civil war ... I don't think the pansy liberals can beat us this time since they've given up their firearms. What are they goin to use .... harsh language? The South shall rise again ... hehe!

[Real4WheelDrv]

Yeah...except just like in the original war, the bulk of military power and cnc lies with the union side, so it'd probably end the same too. Unless of course zealots on both sides use nukes, then the whole planet goes down with us.

[woodtick57]

When did it rise the first time? You mean the South will fall on its face again?

[Zazziness]

@woodtick57 I think he may be confusing The South with the rise of the Third Reich. I hope not but that's how it sounds.

[PoliticalSpice]

You want a civil war, get to it. You folks are all talk. Been reading the whinning for weeks. Unlike the deluded nuts that post this stuff I have no doubt what would happen. Go ahead, rise up in arms, the first war since ww2, except al quadia, that i'd like to see. Thousands of less right wingers, means less idiots getting voted into congress. The federal govt would swat you down like the flys you are.

But it will never happen cause you guys are all talk, talk, talk...

[DogLady_1]

States threatening to seceed reminds me of the 8 year old who threatens to run away from home... where would you go? How would you survive? What would your "nation" do to generate revenue? Will you coin your own money? Raise of your own military/defense? Build your own highways, communications networks and postal service? Generate your own power, your own food, your own water sources? Are you thinking you can take the federal goodies with you when you leave?

Stop being so childish and learn how to work with others. You will never be able to create some utopia where everyone agrees with you, unless you plan to be a totalitarian regime, where you can crush your own citizens who you deem to be obstacles to your political ends (and that still will not get you that coveted utopia). I think you have lost sight of the fact that even in your own state, there will be people who will object and resist your new leadership.

Such extremists!

[SmedleyButler]

So if an abused 8 year old wants to leave home, He(she) can't? Please, our socialist fantasy money is worth NOTHING. Stop being childish? As soon as you stop being stupid and abusive. Why is your utopia ( a proven failure) forced upon everyone? Such extremists!

[woodtick57]

@SmedleyButler

US currency is still the most secure on the planet...When was our idea of money not a 'fantasy'? tha is what the concept of money is.

[SmedleyButler]

@woodtick57 Save your breath, I'm not converting to your religion.

[woodtick57]

@SmedleyButler

The religion of facts is open to all, my son....

[DogLady_1]

@SmedleyButler - ad hominem attacks... more childishness. Look if you don't want to discuss the issue, then don't expect me to get into some schoolyard name-calling scrap with you. Prove that I am stupid and abusive. Prove that I have a utopia, and then prove that I force that utopia on everyone.

I agree with you 100% that our fiat money is worthless. On what will each of these seceeded states base their own money? If these states have not laid out a plan for secession, they are just throwing a temper tantrum like a spoiled 8 year old who threatens to run away from home because they couldn't have something they wanted. People who are serious about establishing their own nation only succeed if they have put some real thought into it, established allies, and strategized a plan of action... I see none of that... I see childishness.

[WMCOL]

Well the ultimate authority lies with the people, so it is up to the people to choose the kind of government they want. Of the people, by the people, for the people, is the name of the tune. If the leaders are not united it is because of the people. It is always ultimately referred to the people. It is the kind of system we have.

I still think Austin should secede from Texas.

[PoliticalSpice]

I'd miss austin and new orleans, but he should have let them seceed. texas and florida are tge only states seeking to leave that pay more in taxes then they cost us.

The progressive folks could move to the u.s., texas can be invaded by mexico and we can sit back and watch as a whole bunch of the biggest idiots in congress go home to their redneck states. Who cares.

[PNWest]

@PoliticalSpice I think we should take an idea out of Mitt Romney's playbook. We can have all of the conservatives who don't wish to live in America "self-secede". That way we'll not have to fight another civil war, keep Austin & New Orleans, keep the ones that want to be here and be rid of the ones who hate America. A win for everyone. The only down side I see is that the people who blab on and on about secession are almost always all talk and no action types.

[PoliticalSpice]

@PNWest I want to vote you up twice. More. Someone posted one of those "we are goingto start a civil war" things. I posted back "Get to it, I cann't wait, Watch on tv"

You should have seen the complaining and whining. What cry babies. They call for war, you tell them go ahead, and they flip out that you're not "oh, poor baby, don't be mad, we'll be nicer to you."

[Fishbone345]

@PoliticalSpice Austin didn't want to secede from the Union, they wanted to secede from Texas. When Texas citizens started calling for secession, Austin residents announced they would be staying with the US. Much like Berlin was in East Germany, but was split.
http://now.msn.com/austin-files-petition-to-s...

[PoliticalSpice]

@Fishbone345 Yea, I. Heard austin put in the petition to seceed after texas put up its petition...

[Dan_Tien]

Good. These petitions were a stupid idea signed by a minority of people living in those states. 25000 people does not even make a very impressive city.

[PoliticalSpice]

I wish he had granted these petitions, I'd love to see the congressional delegations of those state get out of the gone. Most those states receive more funds then they contribute in taxes anyway. Just a bunch of rednecks on welfare. They wanna leave, let em.

[Denizen_Kate]

"25000 people does not even make a very impressive city." More like a small town. There are more than that many people within a two-mile radius of where I'm sitting.

[MongoAPillager]

@PoliticalSpice maybe you should rethink the whole redneck welfare thing... http://www.cnbc.com/id/31910310/page/16

[gammler]

This is a tempest in a tea pot. The US isn't going to break up.

[thejimbo]

Why do some people want secession? It is easy. Federal government does not represent will of all people. Economy is not going well, unemployment still high and prediction say that it will get higher, government is trying to asert more authority in lives of people, now the gun issue or better say clash of ideologies., etc. Obamacare was forced upon the people. When people see that they cannot depend on current government and its representatives, democrats and republicans alike, they are seeking way out. Secession is one way.

[Fishbone345]

@jamesmitchell People want secession for the same reason they wanted it the first time. Because if they don't get their way, they are going to take their ball and go home. They pout and stomp their feet like a child, instead of organizing and using the pen (mightier than the sword) and bringing about change via the ballot.
The Constitution is a document that not only 'can' change, but SHOULD.
http://famguardian.org/Subjects/Politics/Thom...
The problem is, the people whining most about secession, do not make their message of change such that it will benefit all, only a few. That message isn't enticing to the undecided voter as we saw in November. Those who lost can say whatever they want to about 'why' they lost. At the end of the day it doesn't matter. They lost. They didn't do enough to win.

[Fishbone345]

"This is a tempest in a tea pot. The US isn't going to break up."
Agreed. The only reason we are discussing it, is because silly nutty things are interesting. The average person's beliefs, aren't and therefore not as newsworthy.

[Denizen_Kate]

@Fishbone345 - You're in really fine form today, Fish!:)

[Fishbone345]

@Denizen_Kate Thanks Kate. Love the new pic.:)
Behind Polar Bears, I have a love for big cats. Lioness' especially. Talk about a group of deadly females working together! Makes me shiver! Good thing I'm up at the North part of the planet in the cold. ;)

[Grubby]

What a laugh. Obama the great divider and the White House is talking about Unity? The moron in the White House has done more to tear this country apart than any president in history. It will be a miracle if we can survive another Obama term and be healthy enough in 2016 for a real leader to turn this country around.

[PNWest]

I agree with you about 2016. Hillary will make a fine President.

[Fishbone345]

@PNWest You should hope that is the case. If the Democrats run Biden, I think he will lose.

[jmann88]

Would love to see it happen. Just show how bad the current administration has divided this country. I think if a state feels the need to split from the union in their best interest then they should. I know the "president" is killing my state

[TheJimmy]

It would be an intriguing experiment to split America into 2 separate countries for a few years, one mainly Liberal and one mainly Conservative just to see which one would do better.

[Zazziness]

Well, we already know it's the red states that require the most federal assistance, so we have some idea...

[texas_cutie75]

@Zazziness

How do you figure? Most "blue folks" I know "need" federal assistance

[TheJimmy]

@Zazziness
The Red and Blue state mentality is a joke. I live in PA and if you just take away Philadelphia we'd be as red as Mississippi.

[Grubby]

I would like to do it county by county, then the relatively small area urban blight could band together. The Red Country would have about 95% of the land area. The Blue Country would be small in area, with extremely high population density. I am pretty sure which country would do better. ALL the natural resources would be in the Red Country. The majority of the takers would be in the Blue Country. I would really like to see this, as I am a Red Country kind of guy. We can let all the left wing loons move to the Blue Country and see how that Liberalism is working out for them. Meanwhile, leave most of the country alone.

[woodtick57]

@Grubby
Got a lot of factories in that red country of yours to do stuff with those natural resources?

[Politicskid]

Of course the White House shouldn't allow certain states to secede with just 25,000 signatures. If you held a vote within the state and the general public favored secession, then they should be allowed to do it.

[PoliticalSpice]

Well at least we agree on something.

[PoliticalSpice]

Although allowing those particular eight states would be a net gain, not to mention that I'd love to see their congressional delegation leave the government. Win-win.

[Politicskid]

@PoliticalSpice So you don't like the idea of balance in the Congress? You want one party to dominate? What was left of the United States would become the USSR. You're loss, I guess.

[PoliticalSpice]

@Politicskid USSR isn't my cup of tea, but a heavy injection of socialistic programs would mean jobs instead of welfare, hi speed rail, better libraries, better public transportation, better management of natutral resources, environmental protection, farm policy that helped small farms and kept food prices affordable and stable.

Nor did i say a one party system, i said that it would remove the congressional delegation from those states seceeding, although they like to thonk they are the only other states that matter that is simply not the case...

[PNWest]

To all of you conservatives on Politix who are in favor of secession... Many of you have reminded me that America was forged upon the strength of the individual - not the state. Keeping that in mind my I kindly suggest that you take this to heart and secede as individuals. Just remember - stay away from all of those awful countries with gun control and/or socialized medicine. So ahead - stick it to Obama by emigrating to the conservative paradise of your choice, Haiti, Somalia, Angola, wherever you like. Bye, Bye!

[Republican5001]

States don't need the Feds, Feds need the states. The sole reason they would not allow peaceful secession is money from taxes.

[PNWest]

@Republican5001 If you don't like America the great thing is that you can always "self-secede".

[Republican5001]

@PNWest self deportation isn't an option. Your president gave all the illegals amnesty.

[PityTheFool]

Seems New York, New Jersey residents would disagree with you after Sandy hit. Having experienced vast tornado damage in the Midwest, those residents didn't seem to mind FEMA assistance either, now that FEMA is being managed competently. Yes, we are slowly recovering from all the mismanagement of the Bush-Cheney era. You seem to forget the old adage of "there is safety in numbers." I'm sure you and your state will turn down federal assistance when the next catastrophe hits your local region. Time for you to start playing nice with all the other kids in the sandbox:)

[PNWest]

@Republican5001 I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about all of you conservatives who don't want to part of America. Since Obama won't let your states go it is up to you to "self-secede". I encourage all of those who signed petitions asking to leave this great country to do it as individuals. Go ahead and "self-secede" yourselves to whatever country will have you. I advise to stay away from the western democracies though. They've all got socialized medicine and nearly all of them have very strict gun control. But hey, there's always Somali, Haiti and Angola. Bon Voyage!

[lochlomond]

I don't think that secession is a reasonable option regardless of widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration. It would be more practical to step outside of the box and arrange for a convention of public spirited individuals who are well versed in US history and particularly the Constitution to write a summary of the abuse of power that has become standard and constitutionally valid corrective measures. The delegates should be identified by congressional district in order to tie their findings to specific members of Congress. This is the only way to flag their attention. When nothing else works, perhaps shaming our representatives into constitutionally approved legislation might be an effective alternative.

[PNWest]

Somehow I don't think it is possible to shame any of these politicians of either party. Everybody hates congress (it has a lower approval rating than cockroaches IIRC) but people of both parties nearly always re-elect the incumbent.

[PoliticalSpice]

Wow. A reasonable proposal that is similar to the manner a constitutional convention would require. Your ifea deprives me of the forum to make wisr ass remarks and actually makes sense. Why is it so few on the right have the ability to think and express themsrlves like you? If they did they might actually win in debate and accomplish some of what they seek. Hats off to you.

[lochlomond]

@PoliticalSpice Thank you for the compliment. I really don't identify with any political party. My positions on political matters are the consequence of the desire to know. I read a great deal and prefer primary sources because it is the tendency of modern interpreters of our history to present historical people and events out of their correct context to promote certain ideologies. Like so many others, I am disgusted with the ineptitude of Congress. The laws they pass or don't pass and usually don't read affect 300+ million people and they are indifferent to the consequences. The uncontested use of executive orders by the President is incrementally moving us away from the checks and balances designed by the Founding Fathers. I taught English for many years and retired because of legislated interference in curriculum and heterogeneous ly grouped students. A "regular ed" class would be compromised of the solid B student, those with learning disabilities, some identified as socially and emotionally disturbed and a number of ESL students. The feel good legislation that gave us this scenario has diminished all of the students in such classes. My interest in history began with an ongoing genealogy project. Since my husband's family arrived with the Dutch, I have been poring over first person accounts from the various places they moved in their westward trek. Their family history parallels so much of US history that I could not help indulging myself in accounts of heroes, villains and thieves. They had a large land grant, payment for service in the Revolution, in Kentucky. Kentucky was under the governance of the Virginia House of Burgesses that claimed land surveys by Daniel Boone were faulty and booted those who had cleared and began to farm the land. Tom Lincoln was a neighbor. His family, my husband's family and many others moved across the Ohio to southern Indiana. There are many instances of government chicanery dating back to the early years of the Republic. Those who benefitted most were the ones who offered to hold the coats of those who gave their all.

[RobertJHarsh]

Any response from BarkyCo will be just some line. These people could care less about the rank and file person sick of the bullcrap. They are nothing more than power junkies, toying with our lives. This is why I no longer vote.

[DARSB]

The nice thing about the secession petition signers is it gives us at least a rough count of how many sore losers are out there - and it's a reassuringly tiny number.

[OhWiseOne]

What a galling question. This president divided this country along racial lines, class lines, and religious lines during both elections but now he wants unity? I can never be united with someone who hates everything about me. He can have unity with Al Sharpton, the Black Panthers, and Reverend Wright. With me? Never.

[OhWiseOne]

@Cheenoguy You sound a little full of hate yourself there buddy. Obama sat in a racist church and listened to a racist preacher for 20 years. He has broke bread with Farrakhan and Malik Shabazz. 2 of the biggest racists you will find on this planet. And you want to call someone else racist and hateful? Ha! You got jokes. You should have been a comedian.

[Cheenoguy]

@OhWiseOne
Remember if a black person is pissed at the way black people have been treated in this country he is a racist. If a white guy is mad that he can no longer abuse black people he's just a patriot who "just wants his country back".

[ConserveUSA]

@OhWiseOne People claim that we started the Secession Issue, well take a look at www.finalcall.com on the Racist Nation of Islam. They started talking this issue. By the way, Rev. Wright, Farrakhan, and Shabazz are the "Bernie Maddoffs" of the Black Communities. The poor black communities get poorer while these 3 gets richer in scams.

[PuroChorizo361]

In Layman's Term it's a slap in your face now get to work! Lmao : D

[PityTheFool]

It seems this issue is also divided along IQ lines. Strong minds tend to see the uselessness of a divided country. I'm getting tired of this "I'm taking my toys and leaving" attitude because they lost a valid election. Quit whining and pouting, and try to do better next time. That is what this democratic process is all about. How about putting all this time and energy into improving infrastructure, the education system, etc...

[PityTheFool]

Thank you for making my point. The ones with the higher IQ's worked to get the Electoral College votes (those are the votes that counted). Times are a changing, ain't they :)