Breaking Up is Hard to Do

“Thomas Jefferson would have none of this sacred Union nonsense. He was strictly utilitarian about it. The Union is merely an instrument for the protection of liberty. Maybe it will work. Maybe it won't. But the idea that we should have some weird allegiance or even religious devotion to “the Union” in the abstract over and above the liberty that the Union purported to protect, was nonsensical to him.” – National Divorce

GOP firebrand, Marjorie Taylor Greene, revived the taboo topic of secession when she recently tweeted, “National divorce is not civil war, but becoming a necessary reality because of our irreconcilable differences. The federal government is a monster and has become a weapon of the left against the right”. Considered treasonous when suggested by the Republicans, calls for separation have brought out the usual claims of white supremacy, election denialism, and greed. But calls for disunion are sure to grow as evidence of interference from federal officials to censor, and even criminalize conservatives, continues to be exposed.

In Tom Woods's 2022 self-published e-book, “National Divorce”, Woods makes the case for a national breakup to heal the wounds of a nation powerless to reconcile. In a series of transcripts from the Tom Woods Show podcast, guests advocating for a split include Jeff Deist, Brion McClanahan, Michael Malice, F. H. Buckley, Daniel Miller, and Kirkpatrick Sale.

Brexit, Great Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union, is reflective of the growing discontent towards large, centralized units of power, where not only cultural distinctiveness but local representation is quickly lost to top-down authoritarianism, often in another land. The populism that resulted from the increasing consolidation of power, both in the US and abroad, speaks to the ordinary citizens who are most likely on the losing side of enhanced state control.

The growth of smaller political units has not only accelerated since the early nineteenth century but seems to correlate with a happier population, less conflict, and more choices to satisfy more desires. The Balkanization, into smaller states and localities, is often driven by differences in culture, religion, or ethnicity. Having now reached a population of 330 million people, the United States is largely controlled by two parties, forcing citizens into binary philosophies that rarely reflect their many nuanced positions.

While many of us have been raised to pledge allegiance to one nation indivisible, that isn’t the story of our origin. When individual states ratified the Constitution, they did so with the knowledge that revocation was available at any time since sovereigns were the states and the people. And while most Americans want some form of government, a growing number would prefer less intrusion, rather than more. A 2022 Pew Research survey shows that 60 percent of Americans are unhappy with how democracy is working. And while 85 percent believe the political system needs a reboot, 58 percent don’t expect to ever see that happen. Unfortunately, ceding more liberty for more security has become the predominant view. Benjamin Franklin warned us, “Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” And this is the sad place we find ourselves today. Diminished liberty with a growing welfare state, and an exploding deficit that has little hope of ever being restrained.

If a state does end up looking for an exit, the last straw will likely be the never-ending expansion of regulations and increasing federal corruption. F.H. Buckley, however, believes that a compromise solution will be a return to federalism, or even extreme federalism, where states and peoples have greater input into their lives, with the federal government stripped of its most cherished powers. While the president would return to the role of head of state with its limited powers, state, and local governance would expand its control and self-rule, making governors the most powerful political positions in the country.

No-fault divorces allow couples to dissolve their marriages without assigning blame or reason, thereby eliminating the conflicts that are associated with for-fault-based divorces. By keeping emotions at bay, a greater chance for an equitable settlement may be realized. Brion McClanahan, however, thought that the sticking point would likely be ideological rather than operational. Progressives prefer centralization, uniformity, and a one-size-fits-all approach to power. They are unlikely to cede their domination without a fight.

The prevailing belief is that there can be no reconciliation between very divergent beliefs. The Union may have served its purpose for a time, but its usefulness may be coming to an end. America’s most divisive politician, MTG, may be right. Perhaps it’s time to move on.