http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/10/22/south-florida-wants-to-secede-from-north-florida
When I first saw this article I was very surprised. I have never really thought of states seceding from states. My first thought was that wasn't very realistic. This probably won't happen and there isn't anything to it. What has happened is that Southern Florida has been very unhappy with the support they have been given from the state capital, Tallahassee, specifically when it comes to matters of climate change and rising sea levels. South Florida feels like they are fairly represented and aren't getting their fair share of government aid. Reports have said that South Florida produces 69% of the states revenue, but aren't getting enough in return. The article gave the feeling that both the north and the south liked the idea of splitting into two states. This made me think that maybe this could actually happen. If both sides want the change then it is a possibility. I am not sure what limits the federal government could put on Florida or if they have the power to stop it. Would they even want to? How would this effect the rest of America?
The federal government as a whole has been reluctant to add any more states. If you split Florida that introduces a 51st legal state. But then that extra state will demand a star in the flag, and they would be right to do so. Whats the big deal? Just add another star to our flag. That in and of itself wouldnt be a problem but think of the ripple it would cause. Everyone would have to buy a new one. Manufactures would have to stop making old flags and get rid of the thousands of flags in stock. Textbooks would have to adjust their curriculum to add in the right flag so theyre not wrong. But right after everyone adjusted, there would be another state wanting to split or territory wanting to become a state just started the process all over again. It would be simply much easier to have north florida and south florida compromise instead of split.
ReplyDeleteI think that if they do split it might be to hard of a change that they would have to go back to one state. It would cause to much ruckus.
ReplyDeleteYes, the federal government could and would want to stop the addition of a new state. The problem is that the new state would have to apply for statehood, which has some pretty strenuous requirements. Puerto Rico has applied for statehood several times, and they still haven't been allowed to. Adding a new state would throw off everything-the numbers of Senators, the allotment of Representatives for the House, a new tax structure, etc, etc.
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