Progressive Californians should embrace secession

Progressive California lawmakers have decided to create their own Green New Deal in order to combat both climate change and statewide problems like poverty. The best way to accomplish this, especially given the likelihood of Donald Trump’s re-election, would be to leave the Union behind and become our own independent Country. This is obviously a radical proposal with many obstacles to overcome but the benefits would be enormous, extending beyond the scope of the Green new deal.

The first issue that needs to be addressed is whether or not secession is legal.

This may be shocking to some but yes, it is legal for a state to leave the Union. There are two ways California could secede: unilaterally or with the consent of the other States. Since secession is never mentioned in the constitution it falls under the tenth amendment which makes clear that any rights not explicitly given to the federal government, via the constitution, are retained by the states. That means California can leave the Union whenever she wants. That’s the radical unilateral option.