Aerotar,

   I think you are making things a little simplistic there. Are you proposing that Texas as an independant country have no education system, no road maintenence? How many retireees in Texas would vote for succession if they knew they would immediatly lose their social security? Even if they could shift all that revenue over to defense, they have to be able to buy the weapons from someone, and the largest arms dealer in the world is the good old USA, probably not going to be a willing supplier. Then there is sheer manpower, which they would face a severe disadvantage in. Sure some people would go to Texas because they want to be part of something cool and different, but just as many would get the hell out. The only hope they have, as someone stated before is if some other states come with them. The problem with that is simple, water. States contiguous to Texas, such as Arizona, Oklahoma and Nevada are already desperate for water. The only reason these palces exsist is because of vast public works that supply the water they need from far far away. The USA could just shut down the flow of water from the Colorado river and they would have a crisis. I think its funny how people in places like Texas like to think of themselves as very independant folk, and they often deride people who "live of the government teet," but they often fail to realize that they are doing the same way, just not through welfare, but through military bases, government subsidized water and public universities. It sounds so much better and professional to work for Lockeed or Boeing then to say you are a career public servant for the IRS, but they are effectivly the same thing, both uspported with government dollars.

Not exactly, if the Texans become a nation then the Congress is the only branch that can declare war on another nation. If the United States does not recognize Texas as a nation then the Military can not enter Texas without the Governors permission. Whoever gave the order for the military to enter Texas without permission of the Governor would be in violation of the constitution and would be subject to arrest and or impeachment. The Posse Comitatus Act prevents US military from acting within the United States for any form of law enforcement without the Governor’s written permission. The law generally prohibits federal military personnel and units of the National Guard under federal authority from acting in a law enforcement capacity within the United States, except where expressly authorized by the Constitution or a new law written by the Congress. The Coast Guard is exempt from the Act. So the President can not just order them in, the only branch of the military that is under the express control of the President of the United States is the U.S. Marine Corps, the rest need the persmission of the Congress.

If I remember correctly the States provide the pay but the Feds provide some of the funding and equipment.

The Federal land would fall into two groups, sovereign U.S. property like an embassy, or compensation could be given the United States buying back the land.

The President doesn't need a declaration of war to order the troops to do anything.  Bush didn't need congress to declare war on Iraq, he asked them as a courtesy and he said as much before we started the war in Iraq.  The President is the Commander in Cheif and doesn't need congress to order the troops to do anything.  Now congress funds the military so they could withdraw funding essentially stopping the action but as we have seen with Iraq that is unlikely because they would be seen as "not supporting the troops".

As for the Military not being able to enter a state without permission, there is a little thing called Martial Law.  No politician ever wants to use it because it is political suicide but if Texas were to secede from the union it would be the likely option to avoid the whole declaration of war thing and congress wouldn't have to recognize Texas as a separate country.

How would Texas pay for the land?  Their money is currently in US Dollars.  If the US wanted they could deny Texas the right to use US dollars for anything.  Texas would be basically broke overnight.

You might want to take a look at the war powers act that the Congress wrote prohibitng the president from starting another Vietnam war.  The President has 180 days to inform the Congress of military actions taken. If he failes to provide notification the Congress can recall the troops. The Marines are the only branch that the President can order into combat without the permission of Congress but the President still has the 180 day time limit. Without a delecration of war by the Congress the President only has six months to fight and win or he has to withdraw. Once the Congress declares war the President is the only one that can end the war.

The Posse Comitatus Act prevents US military from acting within the United States for any form of law enforcement except civil unrest. If there is political discord they can't declare martial law without the Congress. THere are other political problems with this. We are protecting the nation of China from being taken over by the Republic of China. Any action against Texas would be a green light for the PRC to attack Taiwan, not looking good for USA.

el-duderino

you make one major assumption, you assume that the "government" is a magical entity and not a collection of people. If the president declares "war" on texas tommorow and orders all federal troops to attack it, many will refuse, others will "defect" to texas,some will attemp to arrest the preisdent, units will be split apart as each individual SOLDIER, people who fight to protect their country, will each go to whichever "side" they feel is right. To imagine that a single unified "federal army", (many of which are texan or have relatives in texas or will violently oppose civil war) will attack texas is absurd.

Texas would have few problems as an independent country. They can import weapons just like anyone else, and they already have enough patriotic volunteers with gun skill who may be willing to stay in Texas instead of moving to the new 49-state USA.

I don't deny that some would defect to Texas or outright object to fighting.  But we are dealing with a hypothetical situation here so of course I'm making some assumptions about the outcome of a Texas secession.  I don't think the government is some magical entity but I also don't treat Texas as a magical entity either.

Sure some people would support Texas in their secession, but there would also be a very vocal group of people who would adamently oppose the secession claiming that Texas is betraying their country.  I'm not saying there wouldn't be any problems I'm merely stating that I don't think Texas, assuming it secedes alone, would stand a chance of lasting more than a month or two as its own country.  If nothing else all the US would have to do is cut Texas off from vital resources like food, water, etc.  All roads going into and out of Texas would be quickly shut down.  I just don't think Texas would last very long on its own even if it had some US supporters.

Yes I'm making them a bit simplistic, but the underlying point remains the same. If Texas contributes more to the government than it gets back, then if it 'went it alone' it could stop giving any money to the (central) government, use it locally to achieve the same things, and then use the net saving to spend even more on defence if desired. As for buying arms, if the US didn't sell them arms I'm sure they'd find plenty of other sellers lining up to supply their needs.

I think some underestimate the loyalty of Texans. 

Texas in seceding would lose social security. This would amount to bailing out our shortfall. Thanks Texas.

no,no... social security would lose texas! remember texas is a doner state. (aka, it produces which is then "donated" to parasites)

I think some overestimate the loyalty of Texans. It's one of those things that sounds really good to brag about and talk about with your freinds, but I would bet my entire life savings that more people would leave Texas for the US then would emigrate to Texas. Most people, for good or bad, just want to go on with thier lives, they dont want this kind of political drama. They would get the hell out.

you make some mistaken assumptions here... those who would get out would go to canada or europe, not to the 49 other states or texas.

And as for "political drama" and "going on with their lives", this is exactly why I Would go with texas, because I wanna get on with my life and avoid political drama. But in a nation of "hope" and "change" and socialism that is not an option. In texas I would know that the economy is going to get better (because of capitalism), that I can safely try opening my own business without fear of success (which would make me a target for retroactive taxation, take over by the government, etc), and without worry of having the government manage it for me and then blame me when their meddling causes trouble. (sub par lending).

Lets not forget a dedication to maintaining a powerful military, rather then "disarmament".

Wow the ignorance here is amzing!

Firstly, Texas is the only state in the untion that actually has the right to secede (yes, it's spelled secede, not suceede). There wouldn't be any military action because they have the legal right to do so, so no military action would be either legal or required. All they would have to do is to file the required declaration.

Secondly, military action from Mexico would not only be unlikely but is downright laughable. They can't even keep basic law enforcement at the moment. No doubt they couldn't afford or carry out such a military effort. The militia in Texas is second to none, and they are both well armed and pretty damn well trained ( I know because I used to be a member).

Thirdly, and not finally, Texas has a pretty self-contained economy and could easily survive without the rest of the Union. A great deal of the banking, insurance, and agricultural industries are based in Texas. They can easly support themselves with little adjustment.

The issue of Texas secession comes up every few years and is always nothng more than talk. While they have the legal right they are very unlikely to follow through with it. Such talk is always amusing but serves to do nothing more than display people's lack of understanding of the law. In the end it really isn't likely to happen.

The talk of such is pretty amusing just the same.

I'm not so sure that it may not just happen this time. the scuttlebutt I am hearing from many people in several other states are talking that it Texas were to become a sovergin nation unto its own they would imigrate to Texas as soon as they were approved by Texas to do so.

 and don't count out the Support that couls be forth comming from other nations outside of the United Socialist Republic States of America, the ObeyMe Regime is writing checks with other peoples money at such an alarming rate a few of the richer countries are starting to get concerned. Especialy the ones who Have the oil. except of course for Venesuallia and Iran they love the Mutt that is the only word I can call him because he callled himself that .

Now while other states may not have the constitutional legal right to secede that would not stop them from becomming sympathizers and lets not forget the rest of the lands that the US took from Texas Part of Oklohoma Colorado and New Mexico there are Thousands of square miles in those states that probably still beong to Texas.

 Why would you think that Texas would loose Nasa one of it's major headquarters is in Houston.

 Obeyme has no interest in space his interests are in making friends with Iran and Palestine

 Just so you all will know I m  natural born Texan born in Austin Texas  only a few blocks from the Tallest Capital located on the North American continent I have actually climbed the winding sprial stair and touched the Star  back when I was 4 years old so that should tell you my age if you kknow about the capital Put it this way it was a couple of years before MR JFK ran for president.