Letter writer: Forget a new state, let’s start a whole new nation

Posted on by Letters
Graphic by Lori Deaton

As a fellow secessionist, I read Sidney R. Finkel’s proposal for the new state of West Carolina with much interest [“Sayonara, Raleigh: It’s Time for Us to Go,” June 8, Xpress]. His incisive diagnosis of our problems — the tyranny of Raleigh and our limited economic development — should convince even recent transplants from New Jersey to support a new state. And yet, I fear Finkel lacks the vision to make this state a reality. I propose not a new state, but a new nation for our people to rally behind. Please allow me to welcome you to AfroScotIrishStan.

AfroScotIrishStan would stretch from the mountains of Tennessee through the High Country of North Carolina down into the Tar Heel foothills and the upland of South Carolina. With the technological heft of Spartanburg and Greenville, revenue from OPEC (The Organization of Peach Exporting Counties), tourist revenue from Asheville, and illicit profits from running surplus guns out of Rutherford and Cleveland counties, I suspect we could quickly surpass the rump state of North Carolina in per capita income.

Much remains to be settled regarding the exact governance of our revolutionary state, but I suspect with time we could form a pluralistic democracy akin to the one found in North Carolina not long ago.

— Peter Vogel
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Letters
We want to hear from you! Send your letters and commentary to letters@mountainx.com
View all posts by Letters →

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

2 thoughts on “Letter writer: Forget a new state, let’s start a whole new nation”

  1. boatrocker

    I have an easier idea- just don’t secede and maintain dual citizenship. I’ve maintained dual citizenship in American and Latveria for years.

  2. dyfed

    All right, it’s fun to talk about secession, but that’s not going to happen.

    You know what could happen? Home rule.

    Both modern liberals and modern conservatives have expressed a desire at one time or another to lighten the state government and grant greater autonomy to local communities. This is a truly bipartisan mission, and doable. We need to stop abandoning that drive every time our municipal neighbors do something we disapprove of and pursue greater home rule in NC with integrity.

    Rather than the General Assembly having the power, let’s let municipal government power originate at the municipal level and take back making decisions with each other rather than praying and begging the distant capital for enough independence to solve our own problems.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.