I’m sure there’s a temptation on the part of some to consider leaving the United States sometimes. Sure, most people realize in their heart of hearts that we live in the greatest country in the world, but on those days when things seem really bad — when it appears neo-cons, televangelists, and supply-siders will have a near-permanent hold on power in the U.S. — folks may be tempted to pull out a world atlas and start thing, “So, where else can I go?”
Paul Lewis, an English professor at Boston College, may have stumbled upon an idea that would appeal to these people. The good news is, under Lewis’ approach, most of us wouldn’t have to move anywhere. The bad news is, we’ll need to redraw the national boundaries a bit.
In an op-ed published this week in Toronto’s Globe and Mail (which I discovered via Tapped), Lewis identifies the stark differences between Blue States (those which voted for Gore in 2000) and Red States (which Bush won in 2000). Lewis appreciates that those of us in Blue States sometimes feel pretty frustrated, “appalled by the combination of dishonest rhetoric, regressive tax giveaways, international adventurism, environmental degradation and unprecedented arrogance spewing from the President and his congressional cohorts.”
“We look to Washington and hear — rather than solutions for pressing problems — little sound bites and lies, the all-too-familiar litany about weapon-finding, children leaving, job growing, tax cutting, Arctic drilling, missile defending, and terrorist hunting,” Lewis explained. “In stunned disbelief, we have signed petitions, given money to progressive causes, and joined street protests. But arghhh! and aarghhh! again, many of us have had it. We’re fed up and need to move on — or out.”
Lewis sees our future…and it lies to the north.
As he sees it, 19 of the 20 Blue States are contiguous either to Canada or to other Gore states. As such, Lewis believes these states should simply secede from Union and join Canada.
“As soon as one considers the idea, the advantages become obvious. Citizens of the new Canadian provinces would enjoy basic entitlements and benefits unheard of in the U.S., including: universal health care; good and affordable colleges and universities; good mass transit in major cities; lower rates of violent crime and pollution; affordable prescription drugs; and enhanced respect for the civil rights of all people, including gays and lesbians.”
Lewis went on to explain the benefits for those of us who suddenly become Canadian citizens.
“We will leave behind a U.S. composed of increasingly polluted semi-tropical and desert states inhabited by citizens hell-bent on posting the Ten Commandments in public washrooms, installing a Star Wars defense system around fast-food restaurants, and generally doing what they can to bring on the Apocalypse…. And just imagine what it will be like not to wake up every morning to the news that your federal government has subverted another international treaty, undermined another environmental protection, given another tax refund to the wealthy or invaded another defenseless country. To be citizens once more of a nation at peace with the world and committed to social justice and environmental conservation.”
I’ll admit, Lewis offers an intriguing proposal. The biggest flaw in the plan — aside from the unfortunate side effects of tearing apart the country and inviting a new Civil War — is what to do with the anomalous states.
As I see it, the District of Columbia voted for Gore and is already attached physically to Maryland, so it would, naturally, have to join Canada as well.
New Mexico, however, is a great state with no Blue neighbors. Not only did it go with Gore in 2000, but it’s rich in culture and diversity. I’d hate to see it get left behind just because it’s surrounded by Red States.
For that matter, what would the New Canada do with New Hampshire? It’s the only Red State in a sea of otherwise fine Blue States in the northeast. Considering their hostility for taxes and government services, New Hampshirites probably won’t want to go along with the new map anyway. Indeed, they’d likely put up quite a fight.
And lastly, there’s Florida. There’s still some debate over whether or not it’s a Blue or Red State. Even if we’re willing to acknowledge that it doesn’t exactly fit in amongst its Southern brethren, we run into the same problem as New Mexico. Not only that, but the Sunshine State is one of the most closely divided states in America — the northern part of the state bears almost no resemblance to the southern part. I’d imagine a lot of people in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale would be pretty annoyed if we headed off to hook up with Canada and left them out.
Other than these flaws, though, Prof. Lewis may be on to something here. Food for thought…