A response to secessionists in Wisconsin

An open letter to those advocating Wisconsin's departure from the U.S.

This is a response to the secessionist “movement” in Wisconsin, and directly to the petition posted on the White House’s website:

We the people of the state of WI wish to withdraw peacefully from the Union. We believe in our rights that were granted to us in the constitution our ancestors wrote, and we also believe that your administration is infringing on those rights. As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State:

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”

LIVE FREE OR DIE FIGHTING

I previously wrote on the subject of the secessionists, who are urging the White House to allow various states to exit the Union, and in doing so are actually defying the Declaration’s intent. I focused more on the overall “movement,” taking a look at the sudden influx of petitions from a national standpoint. But right now, I’d like to talk about Wisconsin, and specifically to the author and signers of the petition pushing for our state’s departure from the U.S.

What you’re talking about -- leaving the Union -- greatly offends me. I grew up proud of our nation, and it’s disturbing that you are so willing to leave it so suddenly on account of a single legitimate election.

What’s more, it’s offensive to those Wisconsinites who fought hard to preserve our nation, who gave their lives up to defend the rights and liberties we hold dear...not only as Badgers, but as Americans as well.

Your assumption, that our rights have been truncated somehow, is greatly flawed. No one, not any person in our state nor in our country, has been denied the rights you describe in your petition.

And your notion, that we ought to “live free or die fighting,” frankly worries me. Though you write you want a “peaceful” withdrawal, your candor suggests otherwise. Without a just cause for your movement, without any actual rights being stripped from you, you advocate a violent response if your demands are not met.

How undemocratic of you. The people of Wisconsin voted for Barack Obama, our president, to have a second term. And now you advocate the removal of our great state from the Union as a result? The idea itself is absurd, laughable were it not so serious.

That you put so much weight into it -- suggesting that we “die fighting” against what are clearly the democratic preferences of the people you pretend to advocate on behalf of -- speaks volumes towards describing your principles.

You aren’t a patriot. You aren’t a defender of freedom. Simply put, you’re a bully. Your petition demonstrates that.

If you want to secede from the nation, I have a suggestion for you: do so, but on an individual level. Nothing is stopping you from leaving the greatest country the world has ever known -- and arguably, the greatest state the nation has.

Wisconsin made its choice last week on election day. You’ve made it clear you disagree. Either work within the democratic system, or leave it. But don’t advocate the destruction of, through peaceful means or otherwise, the ideals and sacrifices of thousands of Americans and Wisconsinites who came before you.