Californian independence
The movement for Californian independence is a political movement in the
Precedent may have been set with actions such as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signing a global warming treaty with the United Kingdom's Prime Minister Tony Blair [2], an action that could be construed as extra-constitutional regarding states signing foreign treaties. This action was ignored by the federal government.
Arguments in favor of the secessionist movement include California's stem cell research initiatives, the fact that California tax payers are shouldering a disproportionate tax burden for the rest of the country,[3] California's relatively liberal views when compared to the growing conservatism in the rest of the country, as well as California's economy (one of the top ten strongest economies in the world). [4][5]
However, it should be noted that following the American Civil War, the Supreme Court ruled in Texas v White that states do not have the right to unilaterally secede from the Union. This means that any future attempts to secede would either require a new Supreme Court ruling, an amendment to the United States Constitution that allows for states to secede unilaterally, or simply an act of Congress recognizing secession. In addition, the California Constitution does not allow the state to leave the United States; this would need to be amended by the state legislature or referendum before any attempt to secede.
Certain groups take as their emblem the original Bear Flag meaning to recall California's early, albeit brief, time as a sovereign nation: the Bear Flag Republic. These groups claim that California's earlier bout of independence (June 14, 1846) establishes a precedent to which they could return. [6]
See also
- California
- Secession
- Secession in the United States
- United States
References
- ^ California's Balance of Payments. California Institute. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
- ^ Cal Facts 2004 Economy. California Legislative Analyst's Office. Retrieved on 2005-08-17.
- ^ Rank Order - GDP. CIA - The World Factbook. Retrieved on 2006-08-01.
- ^ Why Independence?. IndependentCalifornia.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ California—The Golden Bear Nation-State. ca.lp.org. Retrieved on 2007-03-12.
- ^ The Case for California Secession. alternet.org. Retrieved on 2007-03-15.
- ^ Tony Blair Joins Forces With Gov. Schwarzenegger to Fight Global Warming. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Independent California Google Group. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Californians For Independence Website. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
External links
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