Citizens Assembly

02/04/2026

01/13/2026

Inquiry:
how close is California to voting for calexit?

Short response:

California isn't close to voting for Calexit; it's a long-shot initiative that requires over half a million voter signatures by mid-2025 for a potential 2028 ballot, facing massive hurdles, and currently lacks widespread political backing, focusing more on expressing discontent than immediate secession.
Key Hurdles & Status:
Signature Gathering: A measure to put a secession vote on the ballot needs 546,651 registered voters' signatures by July 2025 to qualify.
Future Vote: Even if it gets on the ballot (perhaps 2028), it would be a "vote of no confidence," not immediate exit, signaling deep frustration with federal government.
Lack of Momentum: While proponents exist (like Marcus Evans), Calexit lacks broad public or political support to become a serious legislative push, acting more as a protest vote.
In Summary: It's currently very far from happening, requiring significant grassroots effort just to get a symbolic vote on a future ballot, let alone achieve actual separation.

01/13/2026

Inquiry: what event is necessary for the blue states to secede?

Short Response:

There's no specific event that makes secession by "blue states" or any states possible, as the U.S. Constitution doesn't provide a legal path for it, and the Supreme Court ruled it impossible except by revolution or mutual consent. Historically, secession followed a breakdown of political compromise (like over slavery), intense regional identity, and perceived existential threats, culminating in a declaration of independence and often war, as seen with Southern states in 1860-61. For any modern secession to occur, it would likely require a major constitutional crisis, extreme political polarization, or a fundamental shift in federal authority, potentially leading to a revolution or constitutional amendment, though neither seems imminent.
Historical Context (Why States Seceded Before):
Constitutional Interpretation: Southern states viewed the Union as a voluntary compact, while Northerners came to see it as perpetual.
Political Breakdown: The election of Abraham Lincoln and the rise of anti-slavery sentiment led Southern states to believe their way of life (slavery) was under existential threat, prompting secession.
State Conventions: States called conventions, debated, and voted to leave the Union, citing federal overreach and violations of states' rights as justifications.
Modern Barriers to Secession:
Supreme Court Ruling: Texas v. White (1869) declared states can't unilaterally secede.
No Constitutional Mechanism: The Constitution only allows amendment (a very high bar) or revolution.
Lack of Public Will: While some secessionist sentiment exists in some "blue" states (like California's "Calexit"), surveys show most citizens oppose leaving the Union.
Potential (Hypothetical) Triggers for Future Secession Movements:
Severe Political Polarization: Unresolvable ideological divides, similar to the slavery era, where one side feels fundamentally unrepresented or threatened.
Constitutional Crisis: A federal government action seen as tyrannical or a complete disregard for a state's core interests, mirroring Southern justifications in 1860.
Economic or Social Rupture: A breakdown in shared national identity or extreme economic disparity between regions.
In essence, a secession event would require a massive, sustained crisis and a widespread belief among a significant bloc of states that their fundamental interests cannot be served within the current Union, overriding constitutional limits and potentially leading to conflict.

11/15/2025

https://youtu.be/eZkhj7yj1aM?si=t-aJGXSUC-iF-7JK

Modern Ideologies is Dr. Roy's sixth lecture for the Museum of the Future's Lessons from the Past (2025). This collaboration between the Museum of the Future...

11/05/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKNQO3utN0e/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

04/29/2025

Do you still think reform is an option?

Think again..

Third Way is a center-left think tank that champions modern solutions to the most challenging problems in US public policy, including the economy, climate and energy, national security, social policy, and politics.

04/09/2025

https://www.au.org/the-latest/church-and-state/articles/supreme-threat-heres-a-look-at-current-supreme-court-church-state-separation-cases-imperiling-public-education-and-lgbtq-equality/

This spring, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ultra-conservative majority will have three more chances to undermine church-state separation. Public education, workers’ protections and LGBTQ+ equality are at risk as well.

03/31/2025

https://www.redcardorders.com/

03/24/2025

Please be advised that you have been advised.

https://www.practicing-democracy.org/

03/16/2025

https://youtu.be/BjQHuBvdyNg?si=TTG8Z0IqeLZbBqio

Mr. Beat and Mr. Barris explain political spectrums and why the whole left versus right paradigm does more harm than good.Be sure to subscribe to This is Bar...

03/15/2025

Ppl wonder why don't have nice things.