General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe have no choice but to add US states in 2021!
Welcome DC, PR, and the Pacific territories of Guam, Northern Marianas, and American Samoa to the United States.
The Pacific territories should become united as a single state. This would add 6 senators. This is the only way to save our democracy. Of course removing the filibuster should be first, but we can't survive as a country with 51 senators knowing a single heart attack can change the makeup of the country. We can't deal with this.
Then we can feel comfortable passing laws knowing that it'll be hard for Republicans to pay us back as regaining control would be a mountain for them for years to come.
bcool
(219 posts)If we add PR & DC, once the Repubs get back in power could they do something like split an existing state in two to get 2 more senators?
Like East and West Texas, for example?
Cirque du So-What
(25,988 posts)to divide itself into as many as five states when it entered the union.
Wanderlust988
(509 posts)And even getting that on the ballot would be hard. We are adding territories, not splitting current states. It's not equivalent.
Statistical
(19,264 posts)Yes states can be formed by splitting existing states and states can also merge to form a new state. You can even carve territory off two or more states to form a new states. However in all those scenarios it requires support of Congress and the state(s).
There is a lot of cultural and regional identity in states. Even though it provides political power not sure how likely the people of Texas would go for splitting Texas in half. I mean technically yes it can be done just not sure how viable it is.
Article IV Section 3 US Constitution
Angleae
(4,494 posts)West Virginia broke away from Virginia and was admitted to the union in 1863 without consent of Virginia.
Proud liberal 80
(4,167 posts)W_HAMILTON
(7,873 posts)Splitting up Texas at this point would probably work to our benefit more than the Republican's, heh.
Hekate
(90,829 posts)texasfiddler
(1,990 posts)With white evangelicals that wanted to be a state, you can bet your ass they would be a state already and Democrats would be up in arms about it with a limited chance of running the Senate. I see an opportunity for Democrats! Splitting a state is hard as hell. I would at least try Puerto Rico.
rickyhall
(4,889 posts)roamer65
(36,747 posts)Lets break up Oklahoma!
DC
PR
Guam-NMI
Sequoyah
A 54 star flag!
Hekate
(90,829 posts)There are always choices, and adding states is going to be about negotiation, I think.
Silent3
(15,281 posts)Don't need two of 'em.