Will States Survive TEOTWAWKI?

Have you thought about how likely your state is to survive TEOTWAWKI? We’re in a relatively peaceful time right now, but some states are already showing signs of strain.  I recently heard about a plan being circulated to split California into 6 different states.

California has grown so big, so inefficient, it’s essentially ungovernable, according to a ballot initiative that could reach voters as early as November.

It has to go, he says.

“Vast parts of our state are poorly served by a representative government,” according to Draper’s plan, which cleared a key government hurdle this week, part of the process to qualify for the ballot. California residents “would be better served by six smaller state governments.” source

I’ve seen rumblings about the State of Jefferson. This is a proposed U.S. state that would span the contiguous, mostly rural area of southern Oregon and northern California, where several attempts to secede from Oregon and California have taken place.  And various movements that would like to make certain states smaller than they are now.  Maryland has its Western Maryland movement. Colorado has the Northern Colorado movement. Florida could turn into North Florida and South Florida.

What would state upheaval mean? During a peaceful transition, not too much. Perhaps some hardship if you get let go from a government job that doesn’t come back when the new governments form. But something like this happening in the middle of a famine or conflict or economic downturn, certainly has the potential to do some damage.  Or worse, if it happens during a time of limited communication, and things end up being tense and deadly because no one knows what’s true.  All kinds of groups could fill power vacuums if new-formed states aren’t quick enough with their police and Guard organizing.  Groups competing for power or groups deciding they don’t want to live next to whatever ‘other’ they can point their finger at could lead to very unsafe communities.

Speaking of control, I’d keep an eye on Indian Nations as well. I can bet there’s more than a few that would jump at any chance for some sovereignty.  And of course the US isn’t the only one that isn’t 100% stable, one only needs to read the headlines coming from Ukraine to see the latest example.

Keep your eyes and ears open, and be prepared if it looks like this sort of thing will happen in your area. Strive for peaceful transition, but be ready for anything less than that.

- Calamity Jane