Dec 10, 2012 U.S._Rise in Americans seeking state secession from Washington

Описание: Four weeks following Barack Obama's re-election, nearly one million Americans have moved forward by campaigning to break apart. All 50 states have filed online petitions with the White House requesting to peacefully secede from the so-called perfecting union. It is a movement that has garnered more than 30,000 signatures in North Carolina, where many, like Michael Tuggle see independence as something that is bound to happen.

"There's no doubt in my mind that it is inevitable. Something like this, the debt this country has, the growing disunion among the people. It can't last forever. That's the lesson of history. Big empires always collapse under their own weight", says Michael Tuggle, board member for League of the South.

Secession supporters like Bernhard Thuersam say Washington's weight of growing debt, endless wars, broken immigration system and government intrusion has become a bi-partisan destructive force.

"It's beyond reform. You can't reform that federal government, whether it's Republicans in charge or Obama. Basically, the Republicans are just as bad, as far as we're concerned. They're corrupt and they're out of touch", says Bernhard Thuersam, state chairman, NC League of the South.

In southern, former confederate states like North Carolina, culture and social issues play a big role for those like Harold Crews, who believe the US is too big and thus destined to fail.

"North Carolina and the south in general, we're a different country already than the United States and we simply need our own government. We have different values and different belief systems", says Harold Crews, attorney and supporter of NC Secession Movement.
Critics have dismissed secessionists as disgruntled voters angry over President Obama's second term.

In the 2008 presidential election, Obama became the first Democrat in more than 30 years to win North Carolina. A red state turned blue with the promise of change. Four years later, tens of thousands of voters in the very same state believe they would be better off on their own.

"You ask the average American the things they believe in, they're tired of endless wars and here we are talking about invading Iran now. I can't think of anything more evil", says Michael Tuggle, board member of League of the South.

The White House meanwhile promises to review and issue an official response to all petitions with at least 25,000 signatures. At least seven states fit that category.

"We used to be on the interstate driving along at 55 miles an hour, driving along by ourselves with secession as a goal. Now we're being passed on both sides by people going faster than we are. It's amazing because we were thought to be radical 15 or 20 years ago and now we're mainstream", says Bernhard Thuersam.

Seroka, professor of political science (speaking English):
"After the election, I think, a large proportion of people who opposed President Obama and his re-election just had a difficult time understanding that." 00:20-00:32

Ken Noa, professor of history at the University of Auburn (speaking English):
"The notion of secession, that a state can leave the United States has been around almost as long as the United States itself. Thomas Jefferson alluded to the possibility as early as 1798. There were attempts to secede in 1860-1880, led directly to the American Civil War." 00:42-01:01

Miguel Diaz (speaking Spanish):
"I think that the name of the country says everything. It's the 'United States'. And thanks to this union, the country is making progress. I think we should think and we should help the country as the union of states."

Jeremy Nables (speaking English):
"I think, you know, give it four more years and then America re-elects the same type of government again and they're not happy again. That's giving them time to build, plan and cast a vision too." 01:13-01:48

Seroka, professor of political science (speaking English):
"We are concerned about changes in life. Large number of Americans is just saying, 'I don't wanna change, I don't wanna deal with kind a population as a minority. This is not our country, it is changing'." 02:05-02:22

Ken Noa, professor of history at University of Auburn (speaking English):
"Individual disaffected people who are well-armed who might go out and do something. I certainly do expect that. But it wouldn't surprise me. I was online a few weeks ago reading a rather spirited discussion between two people who actually would like to see the south secede and about what they might do any after the election..." 02:50-03:13

Michael Tuggle, board member for League of the South (speaking English):
"There's no doubt in my mind that it is inevitable. Something like this, the debt this country has, the growing disunion among the people. It can't last forever. That's the lesson of history. Big empires always collapse under their own weight." 03:55-04:09

The Great Day of Annihilation