Is the US better together or apart?

TL:DR: would never work, tried it before, from 1861–1865, you may have read about it, since it made all the newspapers.

Longer answer: How would you suggest said separation be made? What would be the borders? Does this separation take into account that even the reddest states, have deep-blue pockets, while even the bluest have ruby-red areas?

Let’s say you mean that the “south”- a wobbly definition there, as the former Confederate heart of Virginia votes pretty consistently blue these days- should once again secede from the north. What would be the status of trillions of dollars of federal property in said states? What, do you really think that the Federal government will just have over all its military bases, aircraft, ships, vehicles, and personnel? What do you say about the Interstate highways? Federal office buildings? National Parks?

If you retort that the portions paid for by southern dollars should stay in the south, then, consider balance of payments. Given that most red states receive more funds from the Federal government in the form of transfer payments and investments, than they pay in taxes, while the situation is exactly reversed for most blue states, the new Red States of America would begin their existence in penury, heavily in debt to the Blue States of America. This, I’d imagine, would be less than ideal for the Red States, although the Blue ones would be THRILLED to no longer have to carry their economically weaker cousins along.

Better answer: we’re stronger as a whole than we’d EVER be separately. As smaller, regional nations, North America would be an economic pipsqueak compared to major European or Asian powers. And, speaking for myself, I’m much prouder to be an American than I am to be a Pennsylvanian, and I’m sure most people would say that when comparing their state of residence to their country.

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