[Genuine Realist]

Oh isn't this thread fodder for drift, so let's do it!

It has been evident for quite some time that the U.S. needs CA for more than CA needs the U.S.  Given CA, OR, and WA have so many strategic advantages and cultural similarities, how about they form a union to break away from the U.S.? These states combined would form the 4th largest economy in the world, behind only the remaining U.S., China, and Japan. 

Even though now in CT, as a native Californian, I'm so completely over CA being ruled by flyover country. Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, all get two Senators and have LITTLE in common with Western coastal states. That's 20 Senators from 10 piddly states working against the interest of 6 Senators between WA, OR, and CA, who represent states comprising 1/4 the U.S. GDP. It's pretty much the definition of taxation without (commensurate) representation and is not acceptable any longer.

There is a lot of Russian SOCMED agitprop about CalExit on heels of Brexit to sow division, but it makes far, far more sense for CA, WA, and OR to break away from the U.S. as a group of states than for CA to go it alone. Maybe extend invites to Nevada and Arizona if they want in. Pacific Union anyone?

I remember this being discussed in 2016, to which there was a three-word answer - the Colorado River. Half of the State has inadequate water supply. It is not in fact self-sufficient. 

Not to mention that this issue was settled somewhat decisively 150 years ago.

So maybe we'd better stick together.  If an excess of masks results in some being steered to other areas of greater need, I do believe that's the way the system is supposed to work.

[Genuine Realist]

Oh isn't this thread fodder for drift, so let's do it!

It has been evident for quite some time that the U.S. needs CA for more than CA needs the U.S.  Given CA, OR, and WA have so many strategic advantages and cultural similarities, how about they form a union to break away from the U.S.? These states combined would form the 4th largest economy in the world, behind only the remaining U.S., China, and Japan. 

Even though now in CT, as a native Californian, I'm so completely over CA being ruled by flyover country. Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, all get two Senators and have LITTLE in common with Western coastal states. That's 20 Senators from 10 piddly states working against the interest of 6 Senators between WA, OR, and CA, who represent states comprising 1/4 the U.S. GDP. It's pretty much the definition of taxation without (commensurate) representation and is not acceptable any longer.

There is a lot of Russian SOCMED agitprop about CalExit on heels of Brexit to sow division, but it makes far, far more sense for CA, WA, and OR to break away from the U.S. as a group of states than for CA to go it alone. Maybe extend invites to Nevada and Arizona if they want in. Pacific Union anyone?

I remember this being discussed in 2016, to which there was a three-word answer - the Colorado River. Half of the State has inadequate water supply. It is not in fact self-sufficient. 

Not to mention that this issue was settled somewhat decisively 150 years ago.

So maybe we'd better stick together.  If an excess of masks results in some being steered to other areas of greater need, I do believe that's the way the system is supposed to work.