The Democratic Republic of new England

For years I have lamented the rampant gun culture of this country, the evil of the nra and the political machine that refuses to deal with it. Some years ago, in the wake of Columbine I remarked how something like Columbine could never happen in the UK because guns-let alone assault rifles- are not prevalent in their culture. Suddenly, common sense seems to be prevailing in this part of the country with the Connecticut legislature enacting some of the strictest laws in the country. The federal government, not so much. Apparently our neighbors to the south and the west have been reluctant to protect small children in schools and daycare centers or elderly in their homes. Many times you hear the nra brainwashing slogan that “laws would not stop those who are not law abiding citizens”. Actually they can. I am not saying someone intent on committing a mass shooting will suddenly have a change of heart but had the laws enacted today been in place prior to December, a simple traffic stop would have rendered that shooter in custody, saving 26 lives. That is 26 people who would have been around to see another Christmas or Hanukkah, New Year’s or birthday. Similarly, the nra saying assault rifles are protected by the second amendment is akin to saying our founding fathers were socialists because they said all men are created equal. However, I feel I am preaching to the choir here as our state is on board with this. The problem is again our neighbors to the south and west. States like Georgia and Texas. The same states that oppose our views on gay marriage, abortion, stem cell research, immigration, etc. The issues are certainly different but the divisions are similar to the late 1800’s before the civil war. History has a way of repeating itself so why not explore this. A democratic republic of New England seceded from the union, would definitely give more representation to the issues dear to the people of our region. Financially, we would be better off as well. The question is who do we let join our country? New England is defined as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. We could draw the line there, but what about New York? They have enacted strict new gun laws. No, New England is New England and New York wouldn’t fit in. Heck, they don’t even know what a grinder is? All kidding aside, the diversity of this country was what made it so great. However, the divisions of late have turned our nation on its ear. Our fiscal policies, our domestic policies, even our foreign policies have run amuck wildly due to regional party partisanship. Gridlock, instability, and inequality have won the day too many times to make it feasible to continue at such a stalemate. The constitution states that if the government is no longer for the people, by the people, then it shall be dissolved. In a way, it has. Whether it is Arizona challenging the nations immigration laws by enacting its own to suit its purpose and being sued by the federal government or states suing the federal government over the new health care laws, the defensive marriage act, abortion laws, etc, the central government isn’t representing the diverse people in a way that is acceptable for all Americans. If we are to exist within the framework of a nation, states’ rights would have to take precedence and federal government policies would therefore have to wane. The competition this would create would be momentous. Empowered states could adopt progressive fiscal policies that-if they work- would be emulated by other like-minded states but tailored to their regional economies. Think of Canada and its provinces each having its own regional identity unencumbered by its central government. I give you, The Province of New England!