A new movement in California, dubbed “Cal-Exit” or the “New California Republic” movement, is calling for parts of the state to secede because its founders have found the state “ungovernable.”
What are the founder’s plans?
In a statement with CBS News, the movement’s founder, Robert Paul Preston, said the following:
“Well, it’s been ungovernable for a long time. High taxes, education, you name it, and we’re rated around 48th or 50th from a business climate and standpoint in California.”
According to USA Today, the founders want to base their new plan off of West Virginia; in other words, instead of leaving the United States altogether, it is hoped to create a new state altogether, dubbed “New California.”
The founders have even created their own“Declaration of Independence” for the state, which can be read in full online.
Turning to social media, the movement already has a Facebook page. Listing various events for the group, the page currently has over 700 likes. Releasing the following statement:
“New California is a new state in development by egregiously aggrieved Californians exercising our Constitutional right to form a new state separate from the tyranny and lawlessness of the State of California.”
The movement currently reflects an urban and rural divide
Presumably, the new states would incorporate much of the state’s rural counties, leaving most of the urban areas to make up the remaining state. Preston gave the following explanation:
“There’s something wrong when you have a rural county such as this one, and you go down to Orange County which is mostly urban, and it has the same set of problems, and it happens because of how the state is being governed and taxed.”
The San Diego Union-Tribune explained the divide more in-depth:
“The new state, as envisioned, would exclude parts of California along the coastline from Orange north to Napa counties; New California would include all other parts of California, including San Diego County, leaving the coastal stretch as California.”
Despite the divide, “New California” is expected to still be larger than some states in the country. As the founders explained:
“New California will be the 6th largest State behind New York (bigger than Illinois and Penn). It’s Estimated 25-27 seats in the US House of Representatives will go to New California. Old California will become the 2nd most populous state behind Texas and ahead of Florida, losing 25-27 seats in the US House of Representatives.”
What are some reactions to the “New California” movement?
“New California” is really just the Sudetenland.
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David Dooku
(@DeathOfRome) January 17, 2018
(@DeathOfRome) Funny how leftist Democrats are freaking out about "New California" because they know that it is the hard working conservatives the ones doing the heavy lifting and keeping the state a float paying all the taxes. When they secede it will be over for Old California!
— Patriot Rome
(@Patriot_Rome) January 17, 2018
(@Patriot_Rome) idk why but the idea of "New California" has had me on the floor laughing for a while now – the fuck is "new" about it, it's the same place lol
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star bucks
(@theSamBrooks) January 17, 2018
star bucks Me leaving the central valley when new california becomes a thing pic.twitter.com/abmknErSgO
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(@idontknow981) January 17, 2018
This "New" California bullshit is just that. Bullshit. I'll be damned if the number of states in this country ends with an odd number.
— Alan (@alansaenzn) January 17, 2018
new california is one of the stupidest things i’ve ever heard.
— em
(@emmadav1s) January 17, 2018
(@emmadav1s)