Could It Happen Here?
Background
- One In Four Americans Open To Seccession | Newsweek
"Some 23.9 percent of Americans polled from Aug. 23 through Sept. 16 said they strongly supported or tended to support the idea of their state breaking away. . . " - 'Six Californias' Fails to Make California Ballot
"So much for the West Coast states of Jefferson and Silicon Valley -- at least for now. . . "
Breaking Away
The failed independence referendum in Scotland, the unsuccessful effort to get an initiative on the California ballot to divide that state into 6 smaller states and, what to me seem like simmering regional tensions in the United States got me to thinking about my home state of Pennsylvania.
This interest in breaking off appears to be mainly a conservative or reactionary phenomenon. As people in certain regions realize that they are being left behind. The fact that the largest support for secession in the United States comes from the states that make up both the former Confederacy and the base of the Republican Party could be evidence of this.
Held Back?
But why can't this work the other way. Some writings I saw on the Scottish election alluded that Scotland may have wanted to break away from the United Kingdom and create a "social democracy" along the lines of Norway, etc.
In Pennsylvania, I could see this happening as well. The urban centers like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg region, may eventually feel that they are not being heard or even blocked by the more rural regions between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Merging?
I could see Pennsylvania splitting into five regions, and perhaps ever joining with other states.
The largest of these regions would be the one centered around Philadelphia, perhaps even merging with parts of New Jersey and Delaware.
Pittsburgh and it's suburbs would be a second large region or state, this one may also extend into another state, even combining with the city of Youngstown, Ohio.
My home area of Harrisburg, and the nearby communities of York and Lancaster, would make a third area. Parts of Maryland could also be ensconced into this "state".
A final potential state would include Erie, and might look at merging with Southern New York.
What Would be Left?
After this, what would be left of Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania would be a large, but fairly sparsely populated area. Dominated by small, homogeneous towns. The economy would be heavily agricultural, with resource extraction also playing a major role. The state would probably look more like a Southern State than a Northeastern state.
In a sense, what many would call "Pennsylbama" or "Pennsyltucky" would be a reality!
