Thread: Talents

Originally Posted by Saizou

As far as I know, the US constitution doesn't give states the right to secede just because they feel like it, and quite rightly so. In a democratic country you are bound to respect the decisions of the majority, not just calling it quits as soon as someone that you disapprove of gets into office.

Also, imagine the consequences if every state could leave the union at any time. The US would have fallen apart in no time.

It also did not explicitly say that states did not have the right to secede. In fact, it says that if the government is now how it should be, it is on the people to change it so. If that change includes secession, well, there's nothing in the Constitution that says it can't happen.

Originally Posted by child_of_serenity

I mean I can go off topic with out even trying... not only that but I can change a topic with out any one realizing it was me.

Sorry but you're not Digi.

Originally Posted by MojoMunkeez

It also did not explicitly say that states did not have the right to secede.

Originally Posted by US Constitution, Article 4, Section 3

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Except that the constitution explicitly states that no new states can be formed without the consent of Congress. Secession is clearly the creation of new states.

Originally Posted by MojoMunkeez[/QUOTE

In fact, it says that if the government is now how it should be, it is on the people to change it so. If that change includes secession, well, there's nothing in the Constitution that says it can't happen.

Change through constitutional amendments, yes. Declaring that you're walking out, no.

On the subject of secession: All states besides Maryland do not have the right to secede. I'm not sure if it is still like this today, but before the US was founded, Maryland considered itself a nation-state separate from all the other states and drew up separate treaties with the union.

They may or may not have the right to secede, even today.