We're all Cal grads here (for the most part), so we can handle the truth and here it is:
Much like the former USSR, the USA is headed for a breakup. Look at it this way - we have an entrenched two party system, where one party is like Mommy and one party is like Daddy. But this is not a happy marriage, in fact they despise each other (at least the plebes do, which unfortunately is the salient point). Intractable differences abound, even a different vocabulary. They're constantly arguing and the kids hate it, so dysfunction rules. Everybody is miserable. At some point, one has to realize that divorce is inevitable (and it's also the right thing to do, in the grand scheme of things). How many 50.1% to 49.9% elections are necessary before anyone who has half a brain (with apologies to Eastern Oregon Bear) sees the obvious?
Assuming that you are younger than Bearister (who has one foot in the grave but still is hanging on, my respect to you sir), I think that you will see this come to pass within your lifetime. It won't be as traumatic as you think, because choice is always better than coercion and things tend to end with a whimper rather than a bang. On a personal note, I hope it's not as simple as splitting the country in half, because that's too easy and I'm a big fan of nuance.
Like all predictions, timing is everything. I say it will happen by 2034. But there are so many related bets to place, for example: I say we'll Balkanize better than the ******* Balkans. Over/under is six separate states. Another great bet is who goes first. I place the great state of California as the odds on favorite at -220, followed by Texas at +110, South Carolina at +250 (tradition matters) and Idaho at +500 (you always need a dark horse). Yes, I ignore New York, as any rational person should. Place your bets!
P.S. I'm sorry Bolsheviks, but taking the entire country in one fell swoop (and keeping it together) is an even greater longshot. It's best to hedge - pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered and the second law of thermodynamics is not your friend.
Much like the former USSR, the USA is headed for a breakup. Look at it this way - we have an entrenched two party system, where one party is like Mommy and one party is like Daddy. But this is not a happy marriage, in fact they despise each other (at least the plebes do, which unfortunately is the salient point). Intractable differences abound, even a different vocabulary. They're constantly arguing and the kids hate it, so dysfunction rules. Everybody is miserable. At some point, one has to realize that divorce is inevitable (and it's also the right thing to do, in the grand scheme of things). How many 50.1% to 49.9% elections are necessary before anyone who has half a brain (with apologies to Eastern Oregon Bear) sees the obvious?
Assuming that you are younger than Bearister (who has one foot in the grave but still is hanging on, my respect to you sir), I think that you will see this come to pass within your lifetime. It won't be as traumatic as you think, because choice is always better than coercion and things tend to end with a whimper rather than a bang. On a personal note, I hope it's not as simple as splitting the country in half, because that's too easy and I'm a big fan of nuance.
Like all predictions, timing is everything. I say it will happen by 2034. But there are so many related bets to place, for example: I say we'll Balkanize better than the ******* Balkans. Over/under is six separate states. Another great bet is who goes first. I place the great state of California as the odds on favorite at -220, followed by Texas at +110, South Carolina at +250 (tradition matters) and Idaho at +500 (you always need a dark horse). Yes, I ignore New York, as any rational person should. Place your bets!
P.S. I'm sorry Bolsheviks, but taking the entire country in one fell swoop (and keeping it together) is an even greater longshot. It's best to hedge - pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered and the second law of thermodynamics is not your friend.