United We Stand Divided We Are

Some time ago (1998) at the University of Moscow in Russia Professor Igor Panarin predicted that the United States would collapse and disintegrate into petty states by the summer of 2010.  He theorized that the contiguous 48 states would devolve into three or four separate nations and Alaska would revert to Russian control.

The professor was wrong; but only as to the time frame.  Our once great nation is on the verge of breaking up.  We are no longer a union.  We no longer participate in national problem solving with a united front. 

 

The citizens of the United States no longer wish to adhere to the rule and governance of the federal government.  Even laws that have been settled by the Supreme Court are being questioned and ignored.  The individual states are passing their own laws contrary to federal law.

 

The following three examples graphically demonstrate the trend toward “home rule”.  It also demonstrates the diverse philosophy of the people of the United States.  Although federal law trumps state law the states persist in their grab for power.

 

Several states now allow the possession of medical marijuana although federal law prohibits it.  The federal government continues to enforce the law to a small degree. 

 

Another area of disagreement is the abortion issue.  In 1973 the Supreme Court confirmed the right of a woman to an abortion and further confirmed the states right to regulate but not criminalize such activity.  In February of this year a legislator in the state of Georgia introduced a bill that will criminalize not only abortion but miscarriages also.

 

Not only does the bill make abortions and/or miscarriages a first degree felony it also requires the female to prove she did not cause the abortion or miscarriage.  In other words, the concept of innocent until proven guilty is replaced with presumed guilty until proven innocent.

 

The most visible incongruity between the federal government and state government is the immigration issue.  There are numerous bills before most state legislatures addressing various aspects of immigration law.  The states hope to devise their own set of immigration laws and thereby supplement federal immigration laws and enforcement thereof.

 

Some states want to criminalize anyone that cannot prove their immigration status.  Still others want to go further and deny birth certificates (citizenship) to children born to illegal immigrants. Some want to criminalize citizens that interact with illegal immigrants, such as renting them shelter, providing them food or other necessities of life.  Yet another bill would revoke all privileges normally granted to citizens such as the ability to move freely around the community. Another anti-immigration bill would terrorize school children for the sins of their father.

 

A logical extension to this situation would be for the individual states to start issuing their own passports.  States could then setup check points at their borders and refuse citizens of other states entry into the state unless a visitor visa has been issued.  I truly believe that this type of control is in our very near future.

 

This is only three examples of states wanting their “independence”. There are many more serious issues dividing our leaders including economic and social issues. This political unrest is so serious that several states have discussed seceding from the United States.  Among those that have unofficially discussed the issue are Arizona, Texas and Alaska.

 

What is it that the Russian professor saw that we do not see?  The professor saw the European Union.  He saw an economic and political alliance of former members of the United States. He saw an alliance of state nations very similar to what is now called the European Union.  He saw a nation so divided that there is very little chance of it keeping a homogeneous government.  

 

Over ten years ago this university professor saw something we refuse to see or acknowledge.  When asked what will precipitate this downfall he answered, “And what will trigger this collapse? Immigration issues, economic decline, and moral degradation”.