Could the Northeast USA be an independent country?

[Benuty]

The social liberal part is Soviet-like.

The Soviet Union wasn't all that socially liberal for a good long while.

Given it banned homosexuality .

[Greater Weselton]

The social liberal part is Soviet-like.

The Soviet Union wasn't all that socially liberal for a good long while.

That was under Stalin that they were not socially liberal. Stalin's brand of communism wasn't Marx's vision of communism.

[Indian Empire]

They could survive on their own, but they really wouldn't want to break away. They would have had trouble cleaning up from Winter Storm Nemo in 2012 without the American Government.

[Infected Mushroom]

It could survive and maybe even thrive economically. There would definitely be a lot less political gridlock too, in fact things would progress much faster.

It would be kind of ironic though considering how the region provided the most troops to crush Southern secession in the War.

[Atlanticatia]

There's also the fact that the US would have trouble raising revenues without significantly increasing taxes if there was no Northeast - most NE states contribute far more in taxes than they receive in federal spending, while also having the wealthiest tax payers in the country who make up a lot of the federal tax base.

[Hackleberry Islands]

Personally, myself living in central Massachusetts, it'd be pretty cool to see New England and the Mid-Atlantic states secede, but overall, I don't think it's a great idea.

Although it'd be tough choosing a new national symbol/animal.

[The Rebel Alliances]

It could survive and maybe even thrive economically. There would definitely be a lot less political gridlock too, in fact things would progress much faster.

It would be kind of ironic though considering how the region provided the most troops to crush Southern secession in the War.

Irony for ya huh?
Could you imagine the rage from Texas after hearing all the crap about the illegality of secession from Yanks when the North East just stands up. Says "Peace." And walks out of the Union?

[Benuty]

It could survive and maybe even thrive economically. There would definitely be a lot less political gridlock too, in fact things would progress much faster.

It would be kind of ironic though considering how the region provided the most troops to crush Southern secession in the War.

Irony for ya huh?
Could you imagine the rage from Texas after hearing all the crap about the illegality of secession from Yanks when the North East just stands up. Says "Peace." And walks out of the Union?

It almost did walk out of the union once, which is why the federalist party is dead (lost major credibility for threatening to secede during the crisis of 1812).

[The Rebel Alliances]

Irony for ya huh?
Could you imagine the rage from Texas after hearing all the crap about the illegality of secession from Yanks when the North East just stands up. Says "Peace." And walks out of the Union?

It almost did walk out of the union once, which is why the federalist party is dead (lost major credibility for threatening to secede during the crisis of 1812).

I am aware. It was the Hartford Convention if I recall wasn't it?

[Atlanticatia]

I wonder if an independent Northeast would join the Commonwealth.

It would be a nice way to achieve a new national identity based on diplomacy and friendship if it ever were a separate country.

[Benuty]

I wonder if an independent Northeast would join the Commonwealth.

It would be a nice way to achieve a new national identity based on diplomacy and friendship if it ever were a separate country.

Given Mozambique of all nations has joined it I wouldn't be surprised.

[Lindenholt]

The Northeast would probably be like the Netherlands if they were independent.

What!?

How!?

[Greater Weselton]

The Northeast would probably be like the Netherlands if they were independent.

What!?

How!?

They are both liberal.

[Hackleberry Islands]

I wonder if an independent Northeast would join the Commonwealth.

It would be a nice way to achieve a new national identity based on diplomacy and friendship if it ever were a separate country.

Wouldn't be surprised if they did. I think an indie NE would jump to join organizations like the UN and the Commonwealth.

[Cetacea]

Absolutely! I'd even consider living there.

Those South Westerners are holding You back, and yes you are definitely Anglo enough to be welcomed back to the Commonwealth...

[Atlanticatia]

Maybe we'd even go through with metrication..

[Infected Mushroom]

It could survive and maybe even thrive economically. There would definitely be a lot less political gridlock too, in fact things would progress much faster.

It would be kind of ironic though considering how the region provided the most troops to crush Southern secession in the War.

Irony for ya huh?
Could you imagine the rage from Texas after hearing all the crap about the illegality of secession from Yanks when the North East just stands up. Says "Peace." And walks out of the Union?

From a legislative efficiency point of view, it definitely makes sense for the South to form its own nation and for the Northeast to run what's left. Northeast seceding is fine too.

If you want things to ever move beyond petty partisanship...

[Jamessonia]

So, after seeing the "1 in 4 Americans open to secession" thread, and with many Northeasterners/New Englanders saying it'd be interesting to see what it'd be like if the Northeast was separate from the US. I've been thinking about this recently: could the Northeastern United States go it alone? Should it be its own country?
I'm not saying that I'd even advocate for this, but it's interesting to think about and discuss.

(Disclaimer: IMO it'd be pointless to 'secede' but it is an interesting topic to examine.)

The Northeast is very different from the rest of the United States politically, demographically, and culturally. It is the economic center of the US and would be one of the wealthiest economies in the world. The people are much more liberal. We support multiculturalism.
As a Northeasterner - many of us often feel disconnected from Washington when we have trouble relating to the "gun culture", social conservatism, Evangelicalism in politics, etc. We aren't anti-intellectualism.

Using the most strict definition of the Northeast, let's say that it includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

- It'd have a population of about ~55.94 million.
- It'd have a GDP of about ~$3.422 trillion, and a GDP per capita of about $61,172.
- The current GDP of the US is $17.3 trillion, with a GDP per capita of about $54,746.
- Without the Northeast, the US' GDP would fall to $13.91 trillion, with a GDP per capita of $44,018. ($17,154 less than an independent Northeast!)
- It'd be the 5th largest economy in the world

The Northeast is far different from the rest of the US. The culture is completely different, the emphasis on urban areas is different, etc. I mean, I'd say we're far closer (politically and culturally) to Canada than to Texas or Alabama.
I imagine that an independent Northeast would be a much fairer society, with an emphasis on social liberalism and multiculturalism. We'd be a secular country, with respect for irreligious people.
We'd probably have comprehensive environmental protection measures like a carbon tax or a cap and trade scheme. We already get significant amounts of our power from renewable sources.
We'd have universal health care. A woman's right to choose would never be taken away, and the rights of the LGBT community would be protected.
We'd follow states like NJ and Rhode Island and provide paid parental/family leave, paid sick leave, etc to all residents.
We'd respect our immigrants and multiculturalism, and actually reform the immigration system.
Our borders would be the US, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean. No threats at all.
We'd have great schools - for example, Massachusetts, if it were its own country, it'd be ranked within the top 10 countries in the world for education (PISA). We'd have amazing universities (I mean, we have the whole Ivy League, SUNY system, etc).
Our poverty rate would be far lower than the current USA's.
Our obesity rate would be 20-25%.
Our crime rates would be far lower, with far less gun violence.
We don't have a racist culture.
We'd have some of the highest average incomes in the world.
I hate to say it, but the Northeast is almost "held back" in a way by parts of the rest of the country. There are very few areas in which we do not exceed the rest of the country in rankings and statistics. (except for maybe our cold winters)

Politics are one of the biggest things - we've voted Democrat consistently for the past 20 years. We are the most politically liberal areas of the country. Even our Republicans are moderate. (We lack a Tea Party base.)

So, the Northeast is considerably different - and dare I say better - than the rest of the US. (Yankee pride?)

NSG, what do you think? Could the Northeast go it alone as its own country? Should it?

I mean, I don't think we should secede necessarily but if we did, we could definitely thrive. I think that we are definitely more similar to countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, etc rather than states like Texas or Kansas. The biggest thing is that we're far more secular and socially liberal than the rest of the country. Most people here believe in LGBT rights, womens' rights, affirmative action programs, etc, but we're held back by more conservative parts of the country. Same goes for the role of government - we support a welfare state, redistribution of wealth, etc. Gun control is also a big thing. Apart from the rural states of VT and NH, gun ownership isn't really prevalent. We already have some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and some of the lowest rates of gun ownership.
Also I think that if we were independent, we wouldn't have a neoconservative foreign policy.

Secession probably would be pointless, but hey, I wouldn't be upset if it happened. Maybe Canada could annex us or something.

I guess we could. But I wouldn't like it to happen (I'm a New Yorker), for the reasons I've bolded.

[The Orson Empire]

America needs the Northeast. They are the only thing that is stopping the Republicans from taking power, and it would be horrific if they did. They would turn this country into a theocracy.

[Allet Klar Chefs]

Sure, why not.

New England, Greater California and The Midwestern States of Flyovia, best countries.

[Cyrisnia]

As someone living in Massachusetts, I say:

What the fuck?

[Jamessonia]

America needs the Northeast. They are the only thing that is stopping the Republicans from taking power, and it would be horrific if they did. They would turn this country into a theocracy.

Then why not let them? If it's what the people want.

[The Orson Empire]

America needs the Northeast. They are the only thing that is stopping the Republicans from taking power, and it would be horrific if they did. They would turn this country into a theocracy.

Then why not let them? If it's what the people want.

Just because the people want it does not mean it is the right thing to do. A tyranny by majority is no better than a tyranny by minority (dictatorship).

[Jamessonia]

Then why not let them? If it's what the people want.

Just because the people want it does not mean it is the right thing to do. A tyranny by majority is no better than a tyranny by minority (dictatorship).

But that's already happening. You could say that Republican policies that the majority want are tyrannical to the Democrat minority, or the other way around. Tyranny is subjective anyway.

[Benuty]

America needs the Northeast. They are the only thing that is stopping the Republicans from taking power, and it would be horrific if they did. They would turn this country into a theocracy.

The only thing stopping republicans from taking power is nuclear annihilation .