500 MILLION IS SIMPLY INEFFICIENT:

What then might be the solution to stabilizing the multitude of mounting cultural, ideological, political, and racial tensions that seem to be constantly straining the very seams of America's fabric and future? Since the quadrennial changes in the nation's political administrations, or the elections to alter the makeup of its national Congress appear to have little effect in finding a better path out of the country's current morass, or even try to alter the status quo, perhaps we should turn the clock back a century and a half and rethink the course taken by the South in 1860.

The original roadmap to regional independence and possible salvation is still valid. Contrary to what might be thought of as conventional wisdom today, as stated at the outset, there never was, and there still is, no actual section of the U.S. Constitution that would preclude states from putting referendums for or against secession on the ballot, and if duly approved, for such states then to attempt to depart legally from the Union, or to form a new regional grouping. That being said, it is certain that today's federal government would not allow such moves to proceed unchallenged, and would, at least, lay the matter before the Supreme Court--as should have been the case in 1860. On the other hand, it is also entirely possible that the government would eschew any legal action and if its orders to the states to cease and desist were ignored, would once again set itself immediately upon Lincoln's tragic road to fratricidal war. In either instance, however, given the gravity of today's ever-growing national dilemma, referendums on secession might be worth a try. For, as Donald Trump said during his campaign, what do you have to lose?

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