http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122514508

Peter Garritano thinks it's time for Vermont to call it quits with America.

The way the 54-year-old automobile salesman sees it, the "empire" is about to implode and tiny Vermont can lead the way by becoming its own independent republic. So he's running for lieutenant governor, topping a slate of secession-minded candidates seeking statewide offices this year.

Their name: Vermont Independence Day.

"The only hope is to just say, 'Look, this isn't working for us. We want to start fresh again, with a real democracy,'" Garritano said. "I think that's the answer. Hopefully, it won't take another horrible economic breakdown to realize that the people running things don't look out for the little guy, or us, or the soldiers. It's all about profit and getting the last drops of oil on Earth and trampling people's rights."

What do you you think? Serious or rhetoric?

Secede, not succeed.

Vermont actually talks about this about once every 10 years or so.

What an idiot.

Edit: The guy, not the OP.

BYE!!

jmog wrote: Vermont actually talks about this about once every 10 years or so.

Yep, nothing new

Bye.....

Oh, by the way...don't forget that your old country....you know, the one thatis so bad, has cut off federal funding for roads, education and a host of other things that you probably take for granted. Not to mention, defending your sorry asses.....

Well, as there's no constitutional provision for a state to withdraw from the union, I guess that means war. I like our chances.

wkfan wrote: Bye.....

Oh, by the way...don't forget that your old country....you know, the one thatis so bad, has cut off federal funding for roads, education and a host of other things that you probably take for granted. Not to mention, defending your sorry asses.....

What, you mean all the money that the people of Vermont send to Washington to begin with that gets wasted, squandered, and plundered by federal bureaucrats? Hell, Vermonters should keep their money and do better .................... and can Ohio join in with them; I'd love it.

QuakerOats wrote:

wkfan wrote: Bye.....

Oh, by the way...don't forget that your old country....you know, the one thatis so bad, has cut off federal funding for roads, education and a host of other things that you probably take for granted. Not to mention, defending your sorry asses.....

What, you mean all the money that the people of Vermont send to Washington to begin with that gets wasted, squandered, and plundered by federal bureaucrats? Hell, Vermonters should keep their money and do better .................... and can Ohio join in with them; I'd love it.

Why not be a trendsetter.......

What's funny is if you look up secession in the US on the interwebs there are all kinds of funny stories.

One is a city in Vermont that doesn't like Vermont's politics (things like this thread) and wants to secede from Vermont and be a part of New Hampshire. The problem is that its not really even close to the border so it would be its own "island" of New Hampshire inside of Vermont. Yeah, that got shot down.

There is one in Ohio where an elected official in Akron/Summit County wanted all of NE Ohio to secede from Ohio. Oh, and he's still in office I believe, so if you want to know who it is just google it. I don't want to really delve into it as I have family members that work for the Summit County government and don't want to get them in trouble, lol.

I certainly hope the new independent nation of Vermont isn't attacked by China.

Swamp Fox wrote: I certainly hope the new independent nation of Vermont isn't attacked by China.

...or Rhode Island....

wkfan wrote:

Swamp Fox wrote: I certainly hope the new independent nation of Vermont isn't attacked by China.

...or Rhode Island....

This made me lol.

1) It ain't gonna happen.
2) If somehow, someway it did happen. The US would still help defend them, because any other country attacking them would basically be in America and could attack us. Blah blah. Either way, it's a the guy(not OP) is an idiot.

queencitybuckeye wrote: Well, as there's no constitutional provision for a state to withdraw from the union, I guess that means war. I like our chances.

Are you saying that Vermont is not allowed to secede from the union? If so I dont believe that to be correct. From what I have read a state has the power if it chooses so to secede from the union.

gport_tennis wrote:

queencitybuckeye wrote: Well, as there's no constitutional provision for a state to withdraw from the union, I guess that means war. I like our chances.

Are you saying that Vermont is not allowed to secede from the union? If so I dont believe that to be correct. From what I have read a state has the power if it chooses so to secede from the union.

You are correct. The constitution is the contract that lays out the rules governing the union. You can make quite a case that the federal government is in violation of that contract. Therefore a state can withdraw from it legally.

Jeez, are we going to have to import maple syrup too?

Counting a little heavily on those knick knack shops and exportation of bio fuels as their pillars of industry I think.

majorspark wrote:

gport_tennis wrote:

queencitybuckeye wrote: Well, as there's no constitutional provision for a state to withdraw from the union, I guess that means war. I like our chances.

Are you saying that Vermont is not allowed to secede from the union? If so I dont believe that to be correct. From what I have read a state has the power if it chooses so to secede from the union.

You are correct. The constitution is the contract that lays out the rules governing the union. You can make quite a case that the federal government is in violation of that contract. Therefore a state can withdraw from it legally.

No offense, but before accepting your premise, I'd prefer at minimum someone saying it to have attended law school.

gport_tennis wrote:

queencitybuckeye wrote: Well, as there's no constitutional provision for a state to withdraw from the union, I guess that means war. I like our chances.

Are you saying that Vermont is not allowed to secede from the union? If so I dont believe that to be correct. From what I have read a state has the power if it chooses so to secede from the union.

If the states have that power, the only place it could reside would be in the constitution. It isn't there.

So what do the other 7 people in Vermont think about this?

queencitybuckeye wrote: If the states have that power, the only place it could reside would be in the constitution. It isn't there.

States absolutely have that power; it would be no different than if a country wanted to withdraw from the European Union.

Every state in the union acceded some of their power. They have the ability to secede and run themselves....oh, pretty much however they damn well please.

Doesn't someone from Vermont say this every year?

Not saying he isn't in the right, or isn't on to something, but this isn't new.

I love Vermont, too! Would be call to add another "country" to my list of places visited.

Swamp Fox wrote: I certainly hope the new independent nation of Vermont isn't attacked by China.

Do you really think that if a neighboring country of the US was attacked that the US wouldn't be there to help them fight off the attacker? The US doesn't want a war near its borders.

Shoot now Ben & Jerry's is going to have high tariffs on it. Thought the stuff couldn't get more expensive