Secession is still an option
Well-established rumor has it that America's Third World Countyâ„¢ came within an ace of seceding all on its lonesome back in the middle years of the 20th Century (not during the Great Unitarian-Baptist Shootout of the 19th Century). The feeling is still rather strong in these parts that, though sparsely-populated, America's Third World Countyâ„¢ is still heavily-armed enough to guard its own borders, should it ever come to such a pass…
Which is reason number 3 for appreciating this part of the world. See a prediction of where the rest of the country is going here. Have your speakers on and remove breakables from easy reach. It's a brave new world (and no, I'll not say that with apologies to Aldous Huxley). Coming to a pizza joint near you Real Soon Now if the socialists (of both major political parties) have their way.
They wish
h/t "Guitar Man" at Jerry Pournelle's Current Mail page.