Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Topic started by: Elok on September 14, 2018, 05:37:00 PM

Title: California Dreaming
Post by: Elok on September 14, 2018, 05:37:00 PM

So, there's increasing talk of Californian secession.  Reason put an article up in favor of the idea (because it's Reason).  I don't think this is going to happen anytime soon, but if it did, would it be a good or bad idea?
I'm inclined to go with "bad," even if you ignore the problems of precedent and a rush for the exit, and assume the split would be mostly amicable.  CA leaving would tilt the rest of the US sharply to the right; all those disappearing electoral college votes would effectively give the presidency to the GOP, or any conservative successor group, for aeons to come, in addition to the impact on the House of Representatives.  Even the two Senate votes might prove significant.  California would be stuck with a very long border with a country whose leader loathes it, and would be able to blame the Calexit for any and all adverse events.  Also, I think we basically control their water supply, which could be problematic.
There's also the matter that Silicon Valley and Hollywood are both inside CA, and having it separate would drastically complicate the business model for both.  There'd probably be a national-security argument for cutting out any California firm from defense and security contracts.  And so on.  The economic repercussions would be dire for us and them.

Title: Re: California Dreaming
Post by: Geo on September 14, 2018, 11:05:27 PM

Quote from: Elok on September 14, 2018, 05:37:00 PM

So, there's increasing talk of Californian secession.  Reason put an article up in favor of the idea (because it's Reason).  I don't think this is going to happen anytime soon, but if it did, would it be a good or bad idea?
I'm inclined to go with "bad," even if you ignore the problems of precedent and a rush for the exit, and assume the split would be mostly amicable.  CA leaving would tilt the rest of the US sharply to the right; all those disappearing electoral college votes would effectively give the presidency to the GOP, or any conservative successor group, for aeons to come, in addition to the impact on the House of Representatives.  Even the two Senate votes might prove significant.  California would be stuck with a very long border with a country whose leader loathes it, and would be able to blame the Calexit for any and all adverse events.  Also, I think we basically control their water supply, which could be problematic.
There's also the matter that Silicon Valley and Hollywood are both inside CA, and having it separate would drastically complicate the business model for both.  There'd probably be a national-security argument for cutting out any California firm from defense and security contracts.  And so on.  The economic repercussions would be dire for us and them.

The last 'bump' against the presidents' shins I read about was the Californian effort to continue on the path of sustainable energy supplies. Is this related to what you posted?
On that military contracts parts, I'd open the Californian defense&security industry to the rest of the world, or at least for those willing and able to pay for it.
What would the official language be though? Espanglish? :D

Title: Re: California Dreaming
Post by: E_T on September 15, 2018, 01:47:45 AM

[[Sleezebag] mode] We'll build a Big, Beautiful Wall... [/mode]

Title: Re: California Dreaming
Post by: Elok on September 15, 2018, 06:51:50 PM

Quote from: Geo on September 14, 2018, 11:05:27 PM

The last 'bump' against the presidents' shins I read about was the Californian effort to continue on the path of sustainable energy supplies. Is this related to what you posted?
On that military contracts parts, I'd open the Californian defense&security industry to the rest of the world, or at least for those willing and able to pay for it.
What would the official language be though? Espanglish? :D

I wasn't thinking of a specific incident; it's only an idea I've seen floating around the idle talkers' interwebs.