Rick Perry and Texas Secession Talk

April 20, 2009 RSS Feed Print
  • Comment (70)

I live in Texas, and I was never made aware of any "poll" on whether or not I wanted to stay or leave the United States ["Texas Secession? Perry, One Third of Texans Are Wrong: Texas Can't Secede," usnews.com]. And the answer is a resounding NO! This talk about secession is not right. I don't see anything good coming of this whatsoever. We need a new governor ... and fast! Remember, Rick Perry is the same man that tried to bully a state trooper when he was pulled over in a traffic stop, saying, "Why don't you just let us get on down the road." Excuse me, but in Perry's speech, I'll agree with one thing he said ... it is time for Texans to stand up. Stand up and tell him to "get on down the road." Perry's message basically is saying that times are tough and things are rough so we're going to abandon ship. That's just a load of bunk in my humble opinion. I'm proud to be a Texan, and I am even prouder to be a citizen of the United States. And this whole thing came as a complete shock to me today when I stumbled upon it. I'm just flabbergasted.

Comment by Lynn of TX

Funny how folks in the federal government blather loud and long about freedom, liberty, and the right to self-determination, as long as it happens somewhere else. The desire for an alternative to heavy-handed policies, taxation without reason or appropriate representation, and freedom from meddling government was key in the 13 colonies' separation from Britain and the formation of the United States. Secession is only illegal in the eyes of those who would no longer control the lands, wealth, and citizens of the seceded region.

Comment by R. Jensen of TX

I find this story to be one of the most amusing in years. I would be absolutely delighted to see Texas secede from the union and become and independent country. The advantages to the rest of the United States would be absolutely enormous. Of course, Fox News would lose half of their American audience.

Comment by Tony Justin of MO

Regardless of the legal merits of secession from the United States as it now exists, both sides could come to an agreement. Why can't the United States and Texas simply agree to a separation? Czechoslovakia was a forced union during most of the 20th century that finally agreed to a peaceful split into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. It has been very good for both sides. This is probably the most rational course of action in the future. No war will be fought, a simple agreement to form a separate nation. And Texas and the United States would continue to have rich economic ties. Let's think win-win.

Comment by Tome of TX

As a conservative, I was appalled that a governor of a state would make a statement like that. After 600,000+ people died in the War Between the States [Civil War], I believe that question has been answered. This is no longer a voluntary union. End of story. It is either silly or dangerous for someone in his position to talk like that.

Comment by Martin Stuart of SC

America is about states rights, not federal control. Secession is a real consideration when the national government forgets its place. Texas has no fear in becoming its own country as the industry and resourcefulness of our population makes it strong and viable. We don't need federal money from the border patrol, military, or anywhere else to function. We can do just fine on our own. In fact, when it comes to defense of our land, I believe Texans can do better than what the federal government has done. We surely can defend our borders a lot better than the border patrol stations located 10 to 70 miles from the actual border.

Comment by Marc of TX

I think that this whole thing is hilarious. If a state wants to leave why don't we let them leave? However, I feel that they should be informed that this economic pitfall has engulfed almost every country. Also that one of the main reasons that we have been put into this problem is because of a Texan. This is ridiculous, and when I first heard about this on CNN this morning, I thought that I was going to pull a muscle due to the uproarious laughter that consumed me.

Comment by Justin of NC

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it is time for texas to take a stand perry is done good we can legaly leave the u.s we can make it on our own we have natraul resource's out the ass why stay what douse the white house offer us? taking more right you be told what when how an why to do be my friend i no

george of TX 3:39PM November 09, 2012

Hey, excellent job on writing this Rick Perry and Texas Secession Talk - Letters and Comments (usnews.com) up, I am going to link this from my personal blog!

larry kuyper advisors mortgage of AL 7:16PM June 25, 2011

What I think is amusing is the people who think that, by some extension of the Civil War, states have no right to secede the union. Those who think that states can not secede are NOT American, and have NO CLUE about our history! EXHIBIT A: Declaration of Independence.

The only thing the Civil War proved is that, when allowed to act outside his lawfully limited authority, a U.S. president is capable of unleashing horrendous violence against the lives, liberty, and property of those whom he pretends to serve. The Confederate States (including Texas) withdrew from the Union lawfully, civilly, and peacefully, after enduring several decades of excessive and inequitable federal tariffs (taxes) heavily prejudiced against Southern commerce.[4] Refusing to recognize the Confederate secession, Lincoln called it a "rebellion" and a "threat" to "the government" (without ever explaining exactly how "the government" was "threatened" by a lawful, civil, and peaceful secession) and acted outside the lawfully defined scope of either the office of president or the U.S. government in general, to coerce the South back into subjugation to Northern control

I do not think we are to the point of secession yet, but I believe Perry was simply stating the truth, that if things don't change, this could very well be a possibility (who knows what might happen). I commend him for not being afraid to speak the truth.

Ty Luna of TX 2:49PM June 10, 2011

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