WE.CONNECT.DOTS: How much longer should the United States remain “united?”
The dissolution of the United States will likely be involuntary due to a forthcoming economic crisis, acceleration of the battle of social mores or a tragic reason even more unimaginable.
We have neither the brains nor the stomach to plan a peaceable and rational break-up. The US damn near broke up with the Civil War. If the South had a leader as smart as Abraham Lincoln, we would be two countries today.
The United States has done well, remaining unified for almost 240 years. We are the last empire on the planet. We continue to try to remain Earth’s policeman, sending our young to die in far-flung regions.
The United States hasn’t lasted the longest. Rapid spread of news events and growing frustration about conduct of our leaders have an immediate impact today thanks to television and the Internet. Our dissolution, when it begins, will happen quickly when compared to dynasties of long ago.
For example, the Ming Dynasty is officially recorded as beginning in 1368 and ending in 1644, a bit longer than the US. Due to slow travel and even less communications that empire might have ended sooner. Took longer to get the word out.
The Roman Empire began with Emperor Augustus in 27 BC. In reality, “Augie” transitioned from the 500-year-old “Roman Republic” to an imperial autocracy where a few men amassed disproportionate wealth and military power.
The Roman Empire began to disintegrate in the late Fourth and early Fifth centuries when its soldiers invaded too many territories, exceeding capacity to govern and defend.
There were other empires during that age when leaders did not wear sox or underwear.
The Byzantine Empire, also known as “Eastern Roman Empire” actually lasted from 330 to 1453. The Western Roman Empire was carved out of the western half of the Roman Empire around 286. Circa 476, it disintegrated into numerous successor states mostly for religious reasons. All are located in Europe…
More recently suits and ties were the standard of the men who ruled the modern empires.
The British Empire at its largest covered 13 million square miles – one quarter of the planet. Somewhat like the United States, the Brits grew in stages.
The First British Empire began with Ireland in 1497 and included the Americas and Africa.
The Second British America lasted until 1815, losing the 13 American colonies but expanding into Pacific areas like Hong Kong.
The British Imperial Century (1815-1914) still included East India in Asia and South Africa to Egypt. World War One diminished any talk of British empire building. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain tried to hold off further erosion with his unsuccessful appeasement of Hitler.
The United States easily outlasted the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. USSR formed in 1922 after a series of revolutions, but dissolved December 8, 1991. President Reagan escalated that demise when he demanded Mikhail Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall in the 1980s.
People as far back as 1981 have proposed the US be re-organized into larger territories. Joel Garreau published his book “Nine Nations of North America.” His idea is flawed because it requires we take parts of southern Canada and northern Mexico to form true boundaries based on economic, social and other characteristics.
Not a single “ocean-less” boundary of the 48 contiguous states makes sense. State lines are the product of divisions of plots, natural boundaries, declarations and treaties. We live, work, worship and travel where we feel like it.
Make no mistake about it. Gridlock will continue due to the manner we elect our President. The four states of California, Texas, New York and Florida now possess 151 Electoral Votes. The smallest thirty states only tally 147. Election by popular votes will not solve the problem.
Divide the US into four separate countries with open borders (to each other), free trade and unimpeded travel. The new nations would be formed on beliefs. Free Choice for women – live here. More gun control – live there. If you believe that government exists to help its less fortunate, join neighbors with similar philosophy. If you believe less government is better, there is a place for you.
Bottom Line: Still think we can resolve gridlock? In the Roman Empire, the Emperor ruled, the Senate only advised. That was the Roman version of “one-man-one-vote.” Now, in Washington DC, we have 435 politicians who think they know better than the President.
