Thread: Texas Can Secede From The Union

Perry fires up anti-tax crowd

04/15/2009

By KELLEY SHANNON / Associated Press

Texas Gov. Rick Perry fired up an anti-tax "tea party" Wednesday with his stance against the federal government and for states' rights as some in his U.S. flag-waving audience shouted, "Secede!"

An animated Perry told the crowd at Austin City Hall — one of three tea parties he was attending across the state — that officials in Washington have abandoned the country's founding principles of limited government. He said the federal government is strangling Americans with taxation, spending and debt.

Perry repeated his running theme that Texas' economy is in relatively good shape compared with other states and with the "federal budget mess." Many in the crowd held signs deriding President Barack Obama and the $786 billion federal economic stimulus package.

Perry called his supporters patriots. Later, answering news reporters' questions, Perry suggested Texans might at some point get so fed up they would want to secede from the union, though he said he sees no reason why Texas should do that.

"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."

He said when Texas entered the union in 1845 it was with the understanding it could pull out. However, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas negotiated the power to divide into four additional states at some point if it wanted to but not the right to secede.

Texas did secede in 1861, but the North's victory in the Civil War put an end to that.

Perry is running for re-election against U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a fellow Republican. His anti-Washington remarks have become more strident the past few weeks as that 2010 race gets going and since Perry rejected $550 million in federal economic stimulus money slated to help Texas' unemployment trust fund.

Perry said the stimulus money would come with strings attached that would leave Texas paying the bill once the federal money ran out.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, also Republicans, have been outspoken against the federal economic stimulus spending and were supportive of tea parties in their states. The protests were being held throughout the country on federal income tax deadline day to imitate the original Boston Tea Party of American revolutionary times.

In an appearance at the Texas Capitol last week, Perry joined state lawmakers in pushing a resolution that supports states' rights protected in the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He said the federal government has become oppressive in its size and interference with states.

Since then, Perry has been featured on the online Drudge Report, and other conservative commentators and citizens have latched on to his words.

After praising veterans in the cheering crowd Wednesday, he said: "I'm just not real sure you're a bunch of right-wing extremists. But if you are, we're with you."

Perry said he believes he could be at the center of a national movement that is coordinated and focused in its opposition to the actions of the federal government.

"It's a very organic thing," he said. "It is a very powerful moment, I think, in American history."

For her part, Hutchison issued a newspaper opinion piece Wednesday criticizing the Democratic-led Congress for spending on the stimulus bill and the $1 trillion appropriations bill.

"On April 15 — Tax Day — some in Congress may need a reminder of just who is underwriting this spending: the American taxpayer. I am deeply concerned over the swelling tax burden that will be imposed on all Texas families," she wrote.

The crowd at the Austin tea party appeared to be decidedly anti-Democrat. Many of the speakers were Republicans and Libertarians.

One placard said, "Stop Obama's Socialism." Another read, "Some Pirates Are in America," and it showed photographs of Obama, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wearing pirate hats.

Rebecca Knowlton, 45, of Smithville, said she took the day off of home-schooling her three children and brought them to the rally to teach them about civic duty. Knowlton, a critic of the Social Security system and the United Nations, said she felt camaraderie at the demonstration.

"The movement is growing stronger," she said. "You're not alone."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 48IO2.html

Sure, secede from the union, and you will be Mexico immediately. If our government and military has no more obligation to defend Texas, you guys are on your own. Rhetoric is fun, but realizing reality of any situation is key.

You don't know Texas. IMO

I'm a proud right-wing extremists.

Dixie

I am also profiled in the wacko DHS report. And I am very proud of the Texas spirit, Americanism and for all the people have done and are doing to defend this county. I am proud of the entire country.
To elaborate on my previous comment, it is the divide-and-conquer thought pattern that worries me. We are already more fractured than we should be, due to partisan politics, and any secession seems to be the worst thing for this country's cohesiveness at this time.
The world watches and reads everything we do, and we really don't need to give them an idea that our country is fracturing.

Originally Posted by vortex

any secession seems to be the worst thing for this country's cohesiveness at this time.
The world watches and reads everything we do, and we really don't need to give them an idea that our country is fracturing.

I don't agree with your statement about "any secession" since Texas IS the only state that can actually and legally secede. I say God Bless Texas! Texans have had enough and my ancestors (Texans) didn't leave their blood in Texas for naught! Strong political views are the gut of Texas and I can assure you, they don't care what the world thinks. Texans aren't into "New World Order".

Let them eat cake, since that's pretty much what BO has told America, but Texas will shove that cake right back down their throats. God Bless Texas and her descendents! I'm from the Austin 300 and very proud of it!

Sure, secede from the union, and you will be Mexico immediately

Sure, remain part of the US's Federal government conspiracy, and you will be Mexico immediately anyway... I'll take my chances with Texas over the US Federal government any day. They have been giving this country away to Mexico and the United Nations for years. We are just now waking up to it.

Originally Posted by Dixie

I'm a proud right-wing extremists.

Dixie

PROUD TO MEET YA
Im a Right Wing Extremist, too

Actually, if we did secede, you would see a massive outflow of illegals into the neighboring states. No welfare or freebies for them anymore you see.

Just as important, we would see a massive influx of Patriotic Americans from the rest of the country to supplant our own homegrown ones.

For the record, I love America and dont want to leave. I want to save it. But if we fail to stop amnesty/socialism/communism I fear our nation will be lost and Texas becoming independent may be our only option.

And who knows? I bet alot of other states would join as well.

What is that you say? The American military would crush Texas and any other state that would choose to leave? You would be correct except for one very large detail: take a look at who is actually in the armed forces and where they come from. They arent the sons and daughters of liberals in the northeast. Im guessing 75% of them would be on our side. They love freedom more than any of us and prove it daily by risking their lives.

Yes, I will say this was mostly a political move by Rick Perry. I dont like the man and didnt vote for him. He has sided with the illegals far too often and the TTC was a nightmare. He faces reeelection next year and knows if he stirs Texas pride he will get in again. IT as a very smart political move but I dont buy that he has changed his spots.

What I do like is the reaction I am seeing in my neighbors and comments I am seeing today. The Tea parties as a whole have given our movement a much needed shot in the arm.

And the really fun part is seeing the other side's reaction . The libs are flipping out big time over this.

And who knows? I bet alot of other states would join as well.

I have heard more than once that about 25 states are considering secession. TX. OK, ID, CA, to name a few....I am quite interested to see if this movement, well, moves.