Texas cuts taxes, spending: Now surplus and booming economy

[_krose]

I don't see the problem. If there are enough secessionists, they can just pool their money and buy a country. I hear the Maldives are available cheap. And since global warming is a hoax, they don't have to worry about rising sea levels.

Sounds like the vision of Atlas Shrugged. Billionaire Peter Theil, the PayPal guy, has already started creating the libertarian utopia on a floating island in the sea, with no government and no laws.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/silicon-valley-billionaire-funding-creation-artificial-libertarian-islands-140840896.html

[_ajax18]

what do you plan to do with all the liberals in those states, who dominate the larger cities? Kick them out?

I doubt the liberals would want to stay any more than conservatives want to stay in California. It seems to me like it would make both sides happier.

[_Darth J]

This is a great idea.

Not to derail, but what will be the metric to determine who is a "conservative" who merits citizenship in this putative conservative enclave?

What will be the metric to determine who is a "liberal" who does not make the cut?

What will happen in this new conservative utopia if, through the democratic process and the free marketplace of ideas, citizens begin to vote for "liberal" policies?

[_lulu]

I don't see the problem. If there are enough secessionists, they can just pool their money and buy a country. I hear the Maldives are available cheap. And since global warming is a hoax, they don't have to worry about rising sea levels.

Sounds like the vision of Atlas Shrugged. Billionaire Peter Theil, the PayPal guy, has already started creating the libertarian utopia on a floating island in the sea, with no government and no laws.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/silicon-valley-billionaire-funding-creation-artificial-libertarian-islands-140840896.html

An artificial platform built over water with loose building codes.

Now that's the ticket.

[_Quasimodo]

I wish conservative America could have it's own country.

They do (if you define 'America' as the Western Hemisphere...South America). Both Chile and Belize are far more conservative than the U.S.

The average income in Chile is $12,280. In Belize it's $8,400 with 43% below the poverty line. You'll love it there! I hear property is cheap. Especially if you're not too fussy about indoor plumbing and electricity.

[_krose]

What will happen in this new conservative utopia if, through the democratic process and the free marketplace of ideas, citizens begin to vote for "liberal" policies?

And we know they would sooner or later. That's how we got to where we are today, but somehow the far right seems to think it was pushed on us rather than the result of democratic representation.

The citizens of the New Confederacy (just decided to name it that) would sorely miss the "socialist" programs of Medicare and Social Security, among others.

[_Quasimodo]

What will happen in this new conservative utopia if, through the democratic process and the free marketplace of ideas, citizens begin to vote for "liberal" policies?

And we know they would sooner or later. That's how we got to where we are today, but somehow the far right seems to think it was pushed on us rather than the result of democratic representation.

The citizens of the New Confederacy (just decided to name it that) would sorely miss the "socialist" programs of Medicare and Social Security, among others.

They would also be happily spared from such liberal, socialist evils as:

Sanitary water.
Sewer systems.
Trash collection.
Public education.
Public infrastructure (highways, bridges, airports, etc.).
Federal aviation regulations.
Building codes.
Food safety regulations.
Work safety regulations.
Police departments.
Fire departments.
Emergency medical technicians.
Public transportation.
A national military.
Traffic lights, stop signs, traffic regulations.
National and regional sports facilities (publicly owned).
State and national parks.
Public beaches.

It would be a paradise.

[_Res Ipsa]

I predict the libertarian utopia will start to deteriorate the first time someone's dog takes a crap on someone else's lawn.

[_ajax18]

It's not about acheiving a utopia. People still get old, sick, and have lots of problems. The libertarian ideal is about accepting responsibility for your own life and the problems that come with it. Even if I get sick or can't work, it doesn't give me the right to steal what the man next to me has. He earned it. Whether he helps me or not is his perrogative. That is the only difference.

[_beastie]

Since red states take more fed money than they give, it might be a good idea.