CNN

America... Love it or Leave it!!!

See? That's why despite running for president a thousand times, you've never won.

Oh, another brilliant Republican remark. No wonder they lost the elections and will get devoured in 2010 and 2012. No brains, no intelligence, no creativity, no solutions, no no no no no no. Obstructionist party of no. Republicans have tried every trick in the book since they lost...even before they lost the elections. The more they open their mouths, the more disgusting and whiny it is. Do they EVER do an honest day's work?

So...according to Palin...would Texas be a "good part of America" or one she opposes?

The man's a loon, and shame on everyone who blindly agrees with every word the man says.

secession??? are you kiddin... the reason America Seceeded from the British, was because there was NO REPRESENTATION; Texas, like ANY other state in the Union has an Equal voice in the political spectrum of our democracy of our country; so much so that the last president was the governor of Texas... Rep. Paul is being ridiculous with the notion that this is a good idea or discussion to have; perhaps he thinks that a new civil war would be a good thing for the country... do you really think any group could mount such a feat? the federal government has bases "ALL OVER" the state of Texas and this would not be pretty... it is silly talk... we elected the first african-american president, if you don't like it then organize better the next time around and get someone else in there that the country will support... that is the American way!

So, Texas is like the relative that decides to visit, wrecks your house and your car, alienates your friends, steals your money leaving you bankrupt, and then says "See Ya, Good Luck" and then leaves.

I think if people want to live in a country where the government controls every aspect of their lives that should be up to them. But, if that's the case, then those of us who value liberty, the American Dream, and the right to make our own decisions should have that option open to us even if it means discussing secession. We have to remember that WE are the government.

And why were we delighted Ron? Because the USSR was being destroyed from the inside. But by all means, continue believing Russia isn't delighted to hear you say this.

It's definitely worth considering. Right now it isn't necessary, but if the Federal Government continues growing outside of what it's constitutionally allowed, secession may be necessary. The Republic of Texas can sustain itself. Right now it is picking up the slack for the lazy states in the Union. There is a line between helping your neighbor and being an enabler. Texas is getting closer and closer to being an enabler.

Another politician with no knowledge of history...that ought to be a requirement for office for God's sake...we make immigrants know more about American History before they become a citizen than these "politicians" seem to know. Hey Ron...the question of secession was answered in 1865 to the tune of over 600,000 American Lives...geez...could you crack a book?

I have a feeling that ALOT of states will start to rebel against the government,and if Texas would actually succeed, a domino effect may happen, There is alot MORE upset Americans than the media is reporting. Just the mention of what Texas is proposing should be alarming!!!

What's real estate selling for in Tx. nowadays ?

So Ron Paul is comparing the United States, with its democratically-elected government, to the USSR, a repressive, Communist country?

No wonder everyone thinks he's a nutjob – because he is!

P.S. We didn't "secede" from Britain – we were a collection of colonies, without representation or many of the rights British citizens enjoyed. We revolted and declared independence, ratifying the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Get your history straight, Ron, before you spout off again.

I know people have their limbs amputated all the time. Since they do it must be a good thing so why don't we all do it?

Good grief! Our founding fathers seceded from a nation in which we had no representation. Just like the Soviet Union. Secession from a democracy is completely different. And it worked out so well last time..

We had that discussion – from 1861 to 1865,

O boy I thought Paul was one of common sense repub.I am all out for free speech but breaking the USA is crazy talk and congrat republican you lost my vote for the next 2 election come back when your acts get better.Unbeleivable

Ron Paul reminds me of a guy in an old Boris Karloff movie. Karloff was as crazy as some of the patients he was supposed to be overseeing in this, for lack of a better term; crazy house. When the nuts finally realized he was just as crazy as they were ; they surrounded him in the crazy room trying to decide what to do with him. One crazy old guy began to chant "spilt him into, split him into." I'm not suggesting Paul should be split into; only that he's seems a bit on the nutty side;sometimes he's sounds very smart but other times he sounds more than a little mad. The Russia comment seals the deal for me. I think the name of the movie was Bedlam. He and Perry would fit right in.

Careful there Paul, or its off to Gitmo for your thoughtcrimes.

If Texas wants to leave the US to become the Dis-united State of Non-Americans, then have at it! Just let us keep Austin.

Ron Paul is a racist. Period.

I thought that Ron Paul was a fairly intelligent man.....until now! He is just another Republican idiot! Do they sit up at night trying to come up with a stupid statement to make every day? What a moron.

OK, Dr Paul. Secede. Please do.

Idiot.

Lord, you put a black man in the white house and now there’s talk about secession. What the heck is wrong with the governor of Texas and Ron Paul. Do they think just because they are born white it’s their birthright to run this country? Well, we had several white males in the white house and last one ran this country right into the ground. Funny how we did not hear anyone utter the word “secede” then. I say, let them secede. Let Texas govern itself without any, and I do mean any, help from the government. I’ll tell you what, if Texas does manage to secede from the union, it’s going to be Dodge City and shoot up at the Okay coral all over again. A warning to anyone black, you better flee because, guess what, you are guaranteed to be forced into slavery.

better check out the constitution or what bush/cheney rove left of it........

it goes against the law.....................of the U.S.A...............

uh oh...................

Treason.

Yah, I also think open discussion about secession would be a good idea.

Let's find out just how many weakling nancies and selfish greedheads want to abandon ship at the first sign of rough weather.

Please..please...give me advance notice if this secession garbage is going to happen. I'd hate to be stuck in the country of Texas with these idiotic Republican jerks!!

NO great loss there. Especially, if Bush and that whole gang go with them!! (Does Cheney live in Texas?) And yes, I do hold some resentment for the mess that we, as a nation where left with. Thank God we have the President we have – he HAS brains!!!!

At least Ron has thought about it, before he just started pandering. Which is what our fake cowboy governor here in Texas did NOT do. He did NOT think, he just pandered. How folks here in my great state could re-elect such a woos and a 'boss hawg' wanna-be, I will never know. Maybe next election things will change.

if TX breaks away they will want US foreign aid

Ron Paul is a)playing with words to say that the colonies "seceded"
b) is being particularly divisive with such comments
c) seems to compare the US with the Soviet Union

Draw your own conclusions

If the Texans are so unhappy with federalism, I think President Obama should recommend that we begin shutting down all the military bases in Texas, the Johnson Space Center in Houston etc etc.

They'll be screaming bloody murder from Matamoros to Amarillo.

I yhing what obama asking for is treason so homeland czarists wont arest him he will have to be tnpeached

After living in Texas for 3 of the longest years of my life, I say let Texas secede. BUT, you need to allow all the rational, tolerant people out. We'll do a trade. The U.S. will hand over the far right wingers, religious zealots and more of the polygamist sects. Newt or Rush can become President of Texas. There will be no ethnic diversity and everyone will be allowed to have assault weapons.

Sounds like what we've weathered the past 8 years under G.W.s regime.

Good ridance Texas, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
On top of that I say we only give about 100 visas for Texans to come into the US every year, but I can only dream.

I sure do have much, MUCH more respect for Ron Paul than I do for Rick Perry or Rush Limbaugh. Frankly, I don't often agree with Ron Paul, but at least I know he's thoughtful and a person of principle. That said, I think secession talk is a bad idea. It means either that some people have a "take my ball and go home attitude" or that our country's problems are intractable. Well, that's immature in the first case and premature in the second.

We Americans have always prided ourselves in our peaceful transfers of power under the rule of law. We just had one that we should continue to live with. Having tried the "secession" experiment with appalling result a century-and-a-half ago, I would have hope that we had learned our lesson.

Is Ron Paul equating the United States with the Soviet Union? I thought conservatives loved their country. I thought that statements that even hinted at secession would have been thought anti-American or Unamerican if spoken by a left-wing professor somehwere. Are conservatives turning unpatriotic after calling everyone else that?

And we all know how well that (secession) worked out last time in the 1860s...

They come in bunches, like grapes - or maybe it's grape nuts! What planet are all these dim-witted Rs coming from. Don't you remember that little dust-up we had back about 150 years ago. It settled the question of secession - forever.

The republics that seceded from soviet system were forced to join

What do all you democrats who liked Paul think about that?

Shocker huh?

Ya and when a liberal becomes president of Texas are you going to suceed into even smaller Texas countries? At what point do you stop being sore losers and start taking care of us and start serving the public?

Does no one remember the civil war??? Just silly!!

Did we not fight the bloodiest Civil War in america to end that question?????

This is why this nut will never be president.. because although it's very "American" to talk about secession.. by seceding.. you are no longer American.

This isn't the 1700's gramps.. we know what the constitution said.. but that's why its written to be able to be amended and changed with the times.

The federal government has reached far past its constitutional authority and needs to reined in. If Texas were to secede, Obama doesn't have the guts to bring them back. If this doesn't send a message to the White House that they are out of line, I don't know what will.

Perry is already realizing what a whacko he looked like last week and stepping back from his comments. Maybe Paul should also realize that this so-called exemption for Texas doesn't exist.

If Texas can take back the 8 horrible years they cursed this country with (Bush) they can do anything they want.

It's my ball and I don't like your rules ( United States of America ), so we (Texas Republicans) will take our ball and quit the game. Repugnicans are so anal..

So secession is very American, and here I thought Lincoln was a hero for defending the Union. Mr. Paul, are you really comparing the former USSR with America under Obama? Is America a threat to the world, exporting wars? I would say "not since that other Texan left office", but I digress... The point here, secession is against the US Constitution and defending the concept implies an armed revolution, a war between Americans.

Further evidence of questionable political judgment by a physician who should recognize the encroaching signs of dementia.

Tell you what..if Texas secedes I'll be on the first flight there..it's about time somebody spoke the truth..this country is screwed..heck..I would fly myself there..so sorry all you earth bound misfits

Mr. Paul, please brush up on American history......There was already a war fought over this secessionist issue. It was called the American Civil War. The secessionists lost....My question to you is: just because your ideas got trashed by a vast majority of Americans this past election cycle, and the Democrats bludgeoned the republicans at the ballot box, why can't you just play your part as the "loyal opposition" instead of talking about secession? This kind of talk is just plain sour grapes because your ideas didn't win. But more importantly, they are traitorous.....

Sometimes Dr. Paul says things that make sense. This is certainly not one of them. The talk of secession, just like as it was in 1860, is driven by the unwillingness of the minority to accept the fact that they lost the election. To equate that with the colonies "seceding" from England (where they had no representation) or with the Soviet Republics that were seized by the Red Army is ludicrous. If he doesn't know better, he should!

Ok. If Texas wants to secede from the US...fine, one less state that the federal government will have to bail out.

Oh and another thing, the next time a hurricane hits Texas...

Your on your own and dont come crying to the US asking for help.

That's the weight and responsibility with wanting to leave the US and form your own "country"

Hell, let Alaska secede and Louisiana too.

I just want to hear how much they will be begging for "humanitarian" help when the next natural disaster or man made disaster hits their states.

And despite a number of good ideas, THIS is the reason he could not be president. The guy is a LOON at heart.....so much of his history shows it. And for people to have seriously suported a LOON for president should be embarrassing to them.....but all these [R]s-in-sheeps-clothing and self-described independent/libertarians didn't have much choice did they: they needed to chose between: (a) the segregationist secessionist; or (b) the dimented old man who wanted to fondle miss moosebuger. Sorry, but the rightwing underbelly of this nation shows itself to be pathetic every single day they feel they need to crawl from beneath their rocks to comment on today's world.

Republicans lost power because of their own actions and all of a sudden secession is "worth a discussion". What a joke. If a democrat had mentioned secession during the Bush years they would have been brought up charges for whatever Bush decided he wanted it to be filed under. There were already very few republicans that I had any respect for, Mr. Paul just lost the last bit of respect I did have for him. Comparing the rule of the old British empire to our present government is disgraceful. He should be ashamed of himself.

Secession is a constitutionally based idea that has never been decided by a court. If it had been taken to court in 1861, we might have avoided a bloody war.

The tenth amendment leaves an opening for it. However, any state that wishes to do so and is about to obtain independence would be well-advised to have proper diplomatic and treaty relationships with the US government until defense and other issues are decided.

So far, no state has tried to secede in a constitutional manner, and all secession attempts have been met with military force. That does not have to be the case.

See? I told you people Ron Paul is a crackpot.

I am a Texan but I am an AMERICAN FIRST!

I'll move from Michigan to support Texas if they break away. Liberty over tyranny any day!

I typically find there are two types of people in Texas, those who were born here and those who just live here. When I hear comments like this, I proudly tote myself as one of the many who just live and work here, and I just let the rabble rousers let off some steam. They are full of hot air anyway.

Soo...apparently Ron thinks it's a good idea for Texas to leave the United States?

Honestly, don't Texans (like myself) have a saying on how stupid this plan Rick Perry is in the first place? And second, why even bother? Yes things aren't going so well, but we just have to hope and do what we can to make it better for us. I just can't help but wonder what our governor was on when he said that. I love Texas, born and raised here. I think the last thing I would want is to be force to live in a state that wants to secede from the land of the free. Have they even thought of the effects it will bring to the state if that happens? I might have to get a passport to go to Disney World if this happens.

If Ron Paul and Rick Perry dislike the US so much, they should go. Let them start their own country. Good luck to them when they discover their currency is worthless, they now have to defend a long border with Mexico on their own and the next time they have a natural disaster in the form of a hurricane, they need to hope all the US humanitarian aid hasn't been used up on Kenya so we have a little left over to bail them out.

I believe we fought a war over whether or not states could leave the union. Do these people recall that time in our history? These people have very short memories. Only an idiot would still be talking this nonsense today and only an idiot could possibly imagine that being one state alone in this day and age would be preferable to being affiliated with a big country like the US. This has nothing to do with our history and everything to do with people who are whiners when they don't get their narrow-minded way.

I used to respect Ron Paul until this came out. Even talking about seceding is un-American. To put this into context for those who might agree with Mr. Paul, the American Revolution was anti-England and the break up of the USSR was anti-Soviet Union. Turning your back on your country and leaving to form another country will always be treason against the country you originally pledged allegiance. Talking about committing treason, especially from high ranking member of a party that has claimed for years to be pro-American shows a lack of pride in being a US citizen.

I hope that this notion will pass because it would really look bad in the history books if states tried to secede after the election of the nation's first black president. Whether you like his policies or not, there have been presidents who have been better and worse than Obama and with the exception of the civil war, this nation has persevered and remained united. I pray that the Republican leadership will show that they truly are pro-American by denouncing the talk of secession.

Please secede. If America does nothing else we will climb a couple spots in world education rankings and drop in the rankings of countries that execute those with mental disabilities.

Secession???? Don't you think that is a bit drastic? The Right gets mad at any little thing and those so-called "American Citizens" want to seceed? Wow, isn't it funny that Lincoln, the leader of the GOP, tried so hard to keep our country together? Those of us who had to endure 8 long years of the Bush fiasco never did once talk about seceeding.....It sounds like you're bailing on the country and wanting to give up on us. It doesn't sound patriotic at all.

I thought Texas was already its own little country..... except for when they need FEMA or the United States Military to help protect their borders.

Texas gets 88% of their federal tax dollars back in pork spending. They are a drain on the rest of us.... let them leave or better yet: give them to China as payment in full for our national debt.

what is to discuss.... texas and alaska are big enough for their half of the country.. plus they have all the oil that they will need to destroy their portion of our planet earth.. so just do it already, and let the rest of us be the compassionate united states that we want to be, helping and loving our neighbors..... so no need to talk, just go ahead and secede.

So Ron Paul is comparing a dictatorship of the USSR to an agreement knowingly entered into denying the right to secede from the USA??? Nice, Ron. And actually the 13 colonies did not secede. They outright rebelled....as many people were against the rebellion as for it, with about the same amount of people remaining neutral. But hey – why let facts get in the way of a good spin.....

Texas should secede. That way there won't be any more idiots such as Paul and Bush in office.

"What about all the strong endorsements we have give the past decade or two to all the republics that seceded from the Soviet system? We were delighted about it," Paul also said.
========================================

So Texas is like East Germany under the Soviets? Poor poor Texas.

Uh oh.... here comes more talk from the dangerous milita member!

Secession is absolutely worth a discussion. Let's remove the reliable republican 34 delegate votes every election cycle and divvy them up amongst the rest of the states. You think republicans are in tatters now? Imagine what that'd be like.

Then, as Leno quipped, we'd invade them for their oil! =D

"What about all the strong endorsements we have give the past decade or two to all the republics that seceded from the Soviet system? We were delighted about it,"

I'd be delighted if Texas would just go away as well.

.."stopped short of endorsing secession for his home state, but said the idea is 'worth a discussion.'"

Except that the tenth amendment only gives them the power to split into five states made up of the land Texas currently covers, and not actually the power to secede from the US; so that discussion is rather short.

I like Ron Paul. I think he's a genuinely nice guy who has everyone's best interests in mind – but he's wrong on this one.

This Ron Paul guy really makes sense, It should be up to the Texas residents to decide if they want to seperate from a oppressive government. This is the way it's supposed to work. It's the American way. If you immediately oppose it without discussion, then you're unAmerican in my eyes.

Are you kidding me?

Comparing Texas' secession from the U.S.A. to republics seceding from the Soviet Union?

What a clown!

These Republican Tea baggers get more ridiculous as the day gets long!!

There's quite a big difference between the thirteen colonies seceding from the tyranny of Briton or republics seceding from the Soviet Union and Texas seceding from the United States because they are upset they lost an election.

Let's face it, this isn't about spending or taxes. We had excessive spending under President Bush. For the last eight years we haven't had "Tea Party" protests and calls for secession when Bush was wasting our money. But the second a black Democrat is elected President, all the right wing nuts freak out and start demanding a revolution and secession.

I'm all for a persons right to protest. But what the republicans did last week was getting dangerously close to calling for civil war. The scariest part is, it's only been 3 months. What will happen in a year? or Two? or Four? This kind of hatred the right wing radicals and talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly may very well lead to domestic terrorist attacks in the years to come.

I have always though that Gov. Perry was completely nuts and now this proves it. As far as Ron Paul goes he is two shovels short of a load.

Oh Ron (got about 10 votes) Paul, your scaring us... Please leave the Union! we don't need the cry baby Texans... Take your dirty oil wells, tumble weeds, religious nazis, loud racist pigs with you! We will seal off the Texan border and air space so your private jets will have to go over Mexico... soon you will beg to come back in and we will have to politlely say "Thanks but NO thanks!

Oh and make sure the Dallas Cowboys stay with you!

I really don't believe the Constitution bans secession. However, it would be interesting to see how long these two Texans makes it on their own – without the $ millions in pork they haul in each year from their "neighboring country." Texas received nearly half a $billion in 2009. I'd like to have that back if the secede before the end of the year, wouldn't you? However, there are a likely a lot of Texans who prefer to run these 2 out instead of betraying their country.

What a crock! Perry and Paul – 2 complete religious zealots, feeding each other's paranoia. Texas belongs to the U.S. guys, try to find some unclaimed land for your squatting.

Civil War, part Duex?

I like him but not on this issue.

Ron Paul for Preesident of Texas!

Secession is VERY AMERICAN!!!

The United States would still be Great Britain if not for our secessionist founders. Anyone who says otherwise is just a loyalist.

1861-1865 The American Civil War. The south, which Texas was part of, lost and the Union was saved. You think you would be over it by now. Give us a break please.

If all of the Republicans want to band together and move to Texas or Alaska and take over and declare that state a sovereign country with its own secure borders, currency, economy and military I say " When can you start"? Thats the best idea I've heard from the GOP in the past 12 years! Can we get this done? As long as their no longer taking advantage of AMERICA I say let them go! The sooner the better! Can I get an amen?

Why does this loser get any air time? He is so uninteresting and so dull who in the heck follows this clown?

Oh those Texans! Being a native born Texan and having escaped at the age of 20 this BIG talk doesn't surprise me.
Having been born and raised there, I was led to think it was the center of the universe. However, after traveling to both coasts at 19 years of age I realized the propaganda that I had been fed was just that.

I couldn't wait to get out of there and see real life with progressive movers and thinkers. As for everything being bigger; yes indeed it's true. Bigger rednecks, larger groups of the clueless and bigger egos that keep the place a laughing stock. Sure it has it's supporters, but so does most other places on earth.

Heck, with W firmly planted there he could once again be king!

Go ahead – secede! And with the run on guns I'm hearing about down there they can play shoot 'em up night and day!!! And continue their killing of prison inmates at a rate that only places like Iran can keep pace with.

OK, I am sorry, but if you EVER doubted that this guy was nuts, well I think he just killed ALL doubt! Thanks Ronny, atleast we know you are no longer a threat to ANY Democrat..Koo Koo!

Just like they are saying "no" to everything Obama says, it is like them to cut an run when things get tough. This economy, education, healthcare, energy, etc. are in crisis and these folks, b/c they didn't win the last 2 elections, figure "I don't like America anymore, so I'm going to take my ball and go home."

Paul is talking up secession, not even considering that not only have we held together for over 200 years, but his state is so reliant on federal assistance, not to mention help from other states. Foreign companies do business in Texas. When the next Hurricane Rita hits, he will be the first to call on the government (FEMA).

It is no wonder that the GOP is dying. It is clear they have outlived their usefulness and have no regard for U.S. History or it's people. Exhibit A: the last 8 years.

Ron Paul, you have lost my respect.

Like the true TRAITOR(s) he...

...and members of his moribund Party is/are...

...Patriot Act 'em...

This is madness. Complete, utter, treasonous madness. I wonder, if Ron Paul, Glenn Beck and all the other right wing nutjobs heard of a little thing in our history called the Civil War and what part secession had to play in it? Somehow I think if they were to reopen a history book they (esp the idiots in Texas for it) would read that secession nearly destroyed the South. And in this economy now (that THEIR president put us in), they wouldn't last one year. I doubt even half a year.

Come on people. Seriously. These Anti-American douche bags need to shut up.

If Texas were to secede, the rest of the Union would lose the brunt of the Bush family, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney (since he doesn't *really* live in Wyoming anyway), Tom DeLay, and many other, errm, "national treasures".

When you put it that way, it's actually quite compelling. Maybe we can extend that "border fence" all the way around the newly independent Republic of Texas to keep poor starving Texans from sneaking into Oklahoma, coming to steal work from the rest of us Americans, and send greenbacks back home when their Sam Houston currency fails.

Don't worry, folks. We'll still let the Cowboys stay part of the NFL.

Ok.
1. Texas needs to hand back every U.S dollar it just accepted.
2. A fence goes up around Texas to keep them in.
3. Next Hurricane – you're on your own.
4. Hope that immigration problem doesn't get worse. Oh, by the way – shooting immigrants – not looked well upon by the world.
5. All the oil companies must return their holdings is other states to those states.

This will likely never get posted but here goes anyway.

Why are we all of a sudden hearing ideas like this that haven't been talked about since the Civil War? What is so different about this time in our history? And, the only people talking about this are angry white men. Hmmmm.

To use your party's lingo, "if you don't love America... then get the hell out." If you can't stand another larty leading for a change, find a dictatorships to your liking and move there.

So Ron, did you kind of skip over the Civil War? Secession was what that war was fought for and I think the Union settled that question.

Good old Ron Paul. His comparisons liken the current US government to that of the Soviet Union and an 18th century absolute monarchy. Sounds like he needs different medication.

We have the right to speak out when the leaders of our Country
mishandle our money and mislead the people.

We'd be delighted if Texas seceded from the Union, provided that they take the entire Bush family with them and we never let them enter the United States again. They are worse than terrorists.

It is allowed according to our Constitution. However, someone like Perry is just hijacking it for political gain. Perry is CFR and Bilderberg so don't belive him.

Another "novel" politician turned traitor.

I find all of the secession discussion to be absolute treason. I can't think of a better example.

What CNN you do not want to post the positive responses?

CNN you better get with it, there is a growing movement for the rrestoration of Freedom and Liberty again here in our Republic.

I gottcha.......destroying America is "very American."
I hear ya. I'm gonna have to study on that one awhile, but I...I hear you.

I'm not a Texan, but I've lived and worked there twice before.

I believe the state of TX should secede. There are more ignorant rednecks and mexicans there than anywhere else in the country.

Give it back to Mexico, and don't let even ONE of them escape and infiltrate our wonderful United States of America.

your recent thought have a tinge of un-american in them.

therefore "I accuse you!"

Let's re-institute the Committee on Un-American thought.

Secession was intended as a check on the power of the Federal Government over the individual states. Until the Civil War, there were several states that toyed with the idea of secession, including some northern states.

As a republic, we the people have the right to dissolve the existing government and start new.

These things sound extreme, but were seriously considered by our Founding Fathers and included as a protection for the people against an oppressive government.

If our elected officials refuse to listen to the people they represent, then we need to take back our country. I am not advocating violence of any kind, but if it takes secession to get the Federal Government's attention, then so be it.

Ron, you are 100% right....but unfortunately the liberals will pervert your words as blasphemous and un-American sedition. They just can't seem to understand that conservatives and libertarians have just as much right to protest as the liberals do.

Every american is free to leave whenever they wish....they just don't have the option of taking american soil with them.....Personally, I'd rather Texas separate if only to increase the average american IQ significantly....

Once again, Ron Paul is spot on.

Far from being "unamerican" "unhealthy" or "traitorous", Perry's comments and the ensuing dialog are very "American"...at least if you define "American" as consistent with the thinking of the Founding Fathers.

Now I suppose if you define "American" ala the socialist flavor of the day, then perhaps you're right. As for me and my house, we'll stick with the Founders on this one.

Actually, nothing could be more un-American. Secession leads to banana republics, anarchy and dictatorship. Secession is antithetical to democracy because it strikes at the very heart of the give and take of competing constituencies in a constitutional republic. In the examples he gives, the American colonies and Soviet republics had no representation in the bodies that governed them. Now all Americans are represented, and all have the opportunity to participate in free and fair elections. Suddenly when the Republicans lose an election, they want to tear the system down. Secession strikes at the very heart of democracy–it says you only believe in free and fair elections when your side wins. Otherwise you want to tear the system down, and where does that stop? Suppose Texas secedes and then Austin decides to secede from Texas? What then? Not to mention, this question was decided once and for all in 1865. As Andrew Jackson said, "Disunion by armed force is treason. Are you really ready to incur its guilt?" Secession was treason in 1861 and it still is.

I am not directing this to Ron Paul but to POLITICIANS FROM TEXAS in general. Can we put all these TRAITORS in JAIL and since they say water boarding is not torture, can we water board these ####ers?

•Their economic policies have sent this country into the POOR HOUSE.
•They're war-criminals.
•They act like they're above justice.
•They pushed for Wall Street deregulation that pushed us to brink of bankruptcy.

And now after all these, they are threatening secession if they don't get to continue on their normal way of doing business?

THESE PEOPLE ARE WORST CRIMINALS THAN Kim Jong Il and Ahmadinejad combined!!!! Hang Them!!!

Yes, I agree. Thing is that this is the worst recession since the Great Depression. And the problem is that we are in unchartered waters.

I am deeply offended, by the Grand Obstructionist Party, who criticizes, complains, rants, every chance they get! To them I say, America is watching how the GOPers responded, helped or not during the aftermath, of the Bush Disaster....... and what we see from the GOPers is nothing but complaints & obstruction!

How funny!! Then Texas would have to enact a state income tax to provide & protect itself!! After that fails becuz Texans don't like to pay taxes, we would be re-united with Mexico!!

Ron Paul is nuts:

600 Thousand Killed

Nearly a million wounded

Billions of Dollars (in Today's Money)

Thousands Left Without Homes

Thousands Left without Families.

That's what happened the last time a state seceded. Do you Idiots want that much blood on your hands? I hope not.

I thought we settled the issues of secession in 1861? Does Ron Paul really want to further this discussion? If he does, he is plain loopy.

Secesion of Texas would be the best thing that could happen to the country. There would never be another president from Texas. Look at what we have had two Bush prsidents and Lydon Johnson. They were all corrupt. We could close all of our miltary bases in Texas and move them to other states. Texas lives off the goverments money by housing more military bases than any other state. That is basically because it is a vast wasteland.

I find it incredibly naive for a man like Ron Paul to come out and say that secession is a viable option worth discussing. To say that the former Soviet Union dissolved is like what he claims as an in parallel experience is comical if not a sad understanding of history. The USSR dissolved because of the vast areas having great ethnical differences, religious differences and even value differences and to suggest that Texas is........
Never mind.

I can't believe that these losers used to call people like me "unpatriotic" for not goose-stepping in sync with the authoritarian Bush agenda and wearing a flag pin.

Let see, with the tea partys now over, how can I get my name in the news this week. Hmmm. I know I'll start talking about secession. That always gets the bloggers fired up.

YES! But let's put all the leftist, anti-American crowd in California along with Pelosi, Feinstein and Boxer than seal the border. There they can be anti everything to their hearts delight!

Absolutely as more and more Americans get disenchanted to what's happening in their federal government it's the duty of the leaders of states to discuss viable alternatives to the trends they cannot support.especially Texas who has a heads up because they reserved the right to succession prior to statehood.
It's a good thing that Texas is so big, because if things keep going the way they are goning, Texas could get very crowded..

My first response to Gov. Rick Perry's stance, was of disbelief, followed by anger. After a great deal of thought, and listening to the convicted Felon, Tom Delay I support this idea.
At the same time, NO federal funds should be used to defend Texas, all of our troups should be withdrawn, the drug war would be the concern of the County of Texas, as well any and all threats against this new Country.
To those who disagree with the Republican Right, I offer two suggestions:
1. To vote these people out, and shun them.
2. To move!

So, secession is an Americal principle. Seems to me over 600,000 Americans died to prevent it from happening between 1861-1865. So is slavery worth a discussion too, Mr. Paul? Is slavery an American principle?

This from a man who wanted to be President of the UNITED States?

Treason is worth discussion.

Good Riddance. 2 War mongers (Jhonson & Bush) came from that state. Let them seceed and join Mexico

Good for him!

I am a white male from South Carolina- so I know a thing or 2 about secession. Didn't the Civil War about 145 years ago answer all the secession questions? These folks are scary! I think Pres Obama is doing an outstanding job. If we just give him time, I think the US will be fine. Why are these folks digging up relics like secession???

With Obama/Pelosi bankrupting the country anyway, theres a good chance of a nation breakup.

Ron Paul compares seceding from the British Empire and their king more than 200 years ago to seceding from the United States today. Wow. Is he really this clueless about history and the state of the world , or is he just spouting off for political points?

The kiss of death for any political movement: The official Ron Paul endorsement.

Disappointing to hear that from you.. I although a Democrat, gave you serious consideration.. I like you.. but his garbage.. from your Govenor disgust me..
If Texas wants to leave so be it.. you are on the border we have so many problems with.. We in NJ pay so much more to the Federal Government.. than Texas. and we get back less of our Dollar in help. We do not think we have the right to Shoot someone for knocking on our door.. and we do nt execute people.

Can we secede from Ron Paul and his assinine musings?
Please Texas, just leave. Driving I-10 and I-20 thru Texas sucks!!

What is the meaning of "self-professed" as used to describe Dr. Paul's libertarianism? CNN's copy writers and editors need to lose the thoroughly socialist lenses through which everything that appears on the site (and on the network) is filtered.

go ahead and leave the union, we don't need you. just don't ask for federal dollars when the next hurricane hits or when your "republic" become overrun by illegals..

I think we should encourage Texas (and Alaska) to succeed. Then we should give all the whacky assault rifle gun nuts special incentive to move there. It would be easier to build the border fence around Texas than along the Rio Grande.

What is this "crackpot month" in government?

[...] him about his recent comments regarding secession and whether or not he beleives such a move would result in federal v. state [...]

Ok, if it is ok to talk about being a traitor to your country then why can't President Obama shake hands and smile. At least he is not giving our country in bits and pieces to another country. Unbelieveable how we split hairs afterall we are all Americans. So secession of Alaska and Texas should be taken with a grain of salt. How about having the CIA look into some of this the way everyone tried to shred our new First Lady by not understanding that she is truly "proud to be an American" and she shows it EVERYDAY! People, get a life and let's pull together and pull this country UP not DOWN! Obama 2012

This is about the point where people wonder when Paul will be admitted to the mental hospital.

Truth be told, I wouldn't mind at all if Texas seceded. All it did was give us the last President who nearly destroyed this country.

Texas you receive alot of help from the federal government. I dare you to secede, cowards

Wow, talk about trying to kill a great nation. Run for the hills when things don't go your way. Makes me want to puke.

Yes, let's look at the colonies and how we separated from England. As I recall a few people died in the process.

Then let's look at the American Civil War when the South seceded. Maybe I am just remembering this wrong, but I'm fairly certain that some people died then too!

How many secessions have we had in the United States that did not result in the death of millions?

Texas, Please stop teasing us and go ahead and secede. In fact why don't you go ahead and beg Mexico to take you back, I doubt they would want you back because Conservative Texans are a bunch of cry baby losers.

I agree. Sucession should be discussed so that the productive people in the country can start up our own capitalist country and the democrats can have their socialist welfare third world country that they have always dreamed of.

this guy ran for president?

I am all for it!

I think we should figure out how much the US Governemtn ahs spent in TExas for the last 8 years and subtract it from the taxes paid by Texans and then have every person in Texas send a check to the US Government for the services they have recieved from the federal government for the last 8 years to make up the difference. the we should discharge every military person from texas, dishonorably since they failed to live up to their agreement when they joined. Immediatley remove all border patrol agents, federal health and safetyu inspectors, FDIC backing of the banks in Texas, FDIC (or its equal) backing for the credit unions in Texas, all school funding for texax, all road work with federal monies, all incoming inspectins, cut off all travel without a passport, make any person who resides in the rest of America and calls Texas their home illegal aliens (since they do not have a visa they will be illegal) and remove all federal agents and funding for federal prisons from Texas.

Over all America would benifit and texas could go back to being a third world country like Mexico (where they came from) and I will not ahve to listen to their crying again!!!

Wow, i am truly amazed! No one talked about secession when Bush was in office, so why now? Probably bc the Republicans are bitter. Do they not listen to the polls? Why cant they understand that if your roof is leaking, you find the money to fix the whole thing and not just patch it up. This recession is the same thing. America is a leaking roof that has been patched way too many times that our quick fixes are not working anymore! We finally have a President that understands that we need to rip the entire mess off the roof, fork out the money upfront to fix it and prevent it from leaking again! After the leak is repaired, we tighten the belt, cut things we dont need, and pay off our debt. Every single American living pay check to pay check understands this type of thinking.

Big difference, Ronbo.

The American colonies declared their independence because they were denied representation in Parliament but were subjected to the laws passed by Parliament.

The states of the Confederacy were not denied representation in any way. The seceded because they did not like the results of an election in which they were allowed to participate on the same basis as every other American.

Secession is treason, pure and simple. Anyone who takes any affirmative steps to bring it about should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Including politicians!

I just like Ron Paul more & more with each passing day!

As a Texas native, I feel like we have been taken over by the crazies. Bush, Paul, Perry, Rove, Cheney, what next? The majority of Texans, I think, are perfectly happy being part of the United States and paying our fair share of taxes. Please don't judge everyone in Texas by the actions of these people.

Ron Paul is the most undervalued politician out there. He is the best economic brain in the congress and no one knows. I hope he finally gives up on the Republican party and runs in 2012.

Does any one remember what happened the last and only time states seceded from the U.S.? We had the Civil War. This is not a dictatorship like the Soviet Union, and Texas is not a colony. It is a member of the United States. Just because the conservatives in Texas disagree with the current administration, it does not mean they have the right to secede. South Carolina seceded because the people disagreed with Lincoln's views. It was determined that they had no right to do so, and a full blown war occurred. Is that what Texas wants to happen? Do these Texans believe that South Carolina was justified in its decision?

Please explain to me how secession is "very American", since almost 150 years ago we fought a civil war over the issue, the secessionists lost, and the country had to work very hard to heal those wounds. Ron Paul is a crackpot.

How soon can they be gone – none to soon for me. Several other red states in the south can join them – we would all be better off.

Honestly, the United States is just too darn big right now. We should be broken up into a variety of regional countries, so that we can have federal governments much more representative of the people within that region-country. What do California and Georgia have in common? Not a whole lot. So why should one have a whole lot of say in how the other operates? Let the Northeast become a separate nation, same for the Mountain and Plains states, the Midwest, the West Coast, and the South. If the Northeast wants to legalize gay marriage and marijuana, that's fine for them. If Dixie wants to ban marriage between Jews and Gentiles, that's on their heads. We're too big to be a successful country, we need to slim down. I'm talking about overall size, not about government involvement.

all because you wanna be president! some folks are just crazy in love with themselves!

United We Stand, Divided We Fall ... that's all I can say and think about

Secession is not an option fos State of the Republic.
Additionally, what would they really accomplish if they were allowed to and chose to?
They would almost immediately become a reclaimed property of Mexico.
That ANYONE is taking this conversation seriously is a joke, that someone in Government is promoting the conversiation is HUMILIATING and EMBARESSING.
It is a moronic and wasteful use of of energy and conversation and the longer it continues the stupider these people look.

I can see people taking this WAY out of context!

Say it ain't so Ron. How disappointing...

That's right Paul. Secede and move to Texas. You would do this country a big favor.

You see, Dems? You have no idea of the backlash you've started. The tea parties were nothing compared to what lies ahead.

Hey, Ron, remember the last time the South tried to secede? Is this what's coming, another Civil War because we have a black President?

Congressman Dr. Ron Paul brings levity to an otherwise heated debate. This man is not partisan and he doesn't play political games. All he offers is the truth in the hopes that some will retain his message. I always enjoy hearing his thoughts on any subject.

Careful dude. Unless I am mistaken there are laws about calling for or inciting secession. And by the way, comparing America to the Soviet Union and its satellites is not a good way to make friends.

Your caption is for the wrong image.

Yes, it is worth discussion. Let them go. Pull out all the federal jobs, let their reps, their senators go. No more NASA in Texas, no more American bases, no more border patrol, let them go.

Secession is treason, plain and simple.

To: Texas
From: The other 47 continental states

Just when you think only Lazarus came out of the tomb, here' s the "Cadaver" of the week doing a replay. If Texas want to secede, have a vote and try it. Most of the rest of us, looking at Delay, Paul, Perry and more than a few others, have the distinct impression that the inmates got out of the asylum. Just what North America needs, a "Quebec" with oil wells.

Can anyone say Civil War? This is treason in my book.

I think Texas should secede. They can even take Oklahoma with them, and all the right wing freaks from across the country can move down their. They can have their own government based on no taxes and no spending, and see how far they get.

Mr. Paul is welcome to leave MY country and go join some other country. I'll even help him, Rick Perry and Chuck Norris pack. Traitors the whole lot of them and not worthy to be American citizens.

Every state is going to want to receed as Obama's government grows ever bigger. Well..., those states capable of standing on their own.

Obama is ONE and DONE-–Ron, you can replace the tax and spend group in 2012-

As B.C. says, Yess!

I would be very happy as a Non-Texan to see Texas and some of the other Southern States secede.

Can you imagine how much they would be in debt without Government Money is just a couple years?

LOL....Where do I sign!!

At a time when the threat of right-wing extremism to our national security is increasing, it is extremely irresponsible of these so called "leaders" (and that idiot Chuck Norris) to advocate for secession and further incite the fringe elements of America. The American Tabliban is alive and thriving in our nation - only rather than using Islam as the basis for their doctrine of hate, our American counterparts use christianity.

Yess!

Isn't it rather odd to discuss whether seceding from America is an American principle?

"What about all the strong endorsements we have give the past decade or two to all the republics that seceded from the Soviet system? We were delighted about it," Paul also said.

He is comparing the USA to the USSR............. Why are people listening to him???? Do they think we are Soviets?

No, no...Rick Perry's comments did not bring enough shame to our great state. Thank God Ron Paul is here to put some stank on it.

My fellow Americans,
Please know that Houston is an ethnically diverse, enlightened friendly city full of rational people and patriots who love The United States of America (it still looks cool in print) and these idiots, Ron Paul and Rick Perry don't represent all of us. We are really sorry about giving you Bush and we promise not to give you another President as long as you don't accept one from us. I mean good lord! Didn't Ron Paul run for President of The United States? Now he wants to tear it apart?!?!
Oh! What will our neighbors think? I can hear them now "They're crazy down in Texas" YEAH, WELL MAYBE A LIL!! gRRRRRR! i'M FRUSTRATED

Wow – SO glad I didn't vote for this guy.

If I can remember Ron, they were allowed to leave. Guess that doesn't matter.

At least Paul is already in Texas. That way if the do leave (one can only hope), he and Perry can fight to the death to become President of the Republic of Texas.

Idiot.

That's why I like this guy...he's extremely honest!

Even if you don't agree with him, you have to admire the fact that he has the balls to say exactly what he believes is right...too bad not more in Washington share that trait.

Secession is as American as Jefferson Davis and Robert E Lee....... Why people listen to these nuts is beyond me

What's wrong with talking about it? The administration is all about dialogue... why not this?

Texas secession "worth a discussion?"

Dr Paul, don't sell yourself short: from LBJ to Waco to Dumbya, the Lone Star state has long provde itself worth an EXPULSION.

The US has had a texan President for the last 8 years, why didnt they bring this up during Bush Presidency, there is a fear from texan business men of loosing the oil based, chronism based capitalism that has made them rich. They also need to get used to Obama being the president. Im sure they wake up everyday and ask themselves "Is this a dream?" It is not a dream Obama and Michelle are in the white house and will be there for a while, get used to it.

Funny, this doesn't surprise me. Paul has always come across as special. And this is right up his alley.

Hey Ronnie, if the democrats had talked succession when Bush took office , they would all be in Gitmo and God only knows how many times they would have been water boarded for being unpatriotic. Republican= HYPOCRIT

i would love to see all the republicans secede to texas and leave us to hell alone. the republicans are our #one worst enemy right now,getting in the way of progress to get us back strong as a nation and put the bush years very,very far behind us!

Ha! I think we ought to just let Texas sucead and then allow Mexico to take it back. Let's see just see how they'd fair against a Nat'l Army.

Hey Ronnie, if the democrats had talked succession when Bush took office , they would all be in Gitmo and God only knows how many times they would have been water boarded for being unpatriotic. Republica= HYPOCRIT

Texas is like a third world nation right now, I'd be more than happy to see Texas as a county state of Mexico. Sold......

Can we all get behind this? Let 'em go. Just get the heck out and stop sending your no-lipped, aw-shucks, Lonestar addled politicians to mess with our nation. There's no need to contend over this, walk if you want to. "Just get 'er done" as soon as you can so the rest of us can absent ourselves from the lot of you. 'Not satisfied with being part of this Country and participating in a representative democracy? Well then git.

If Texas wants to leave the United States then I think they should.

“All new states are invested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men.” – Sam Houston quotes (American General, Lawyer and Politician, 1st president of Texas, (1836-38, 1841-44), 1793-1863)

and

“There's an old saying in Tennessee – I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee...that says, fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me...you can't get fooled again.” – George W. Bush quotes (American 43rd US President since 2001. b.1946)

So again, if Texas wants to succeed – LET THEM and good riddance!!

Texas is a truly unique place. I hesitate to call it a state because it has always been a more than an awkward fit, intellectually, politically and spiritually with the rest of the Union. In balancing the pros and cons of a Texas secession, I come down decidedly in favor, and the sooner the better. General Phillip Sheridan (1831-1888) summed it up rather neatly when he said, “ If I owned Hell and I owned Texas, I’d live in Hell and rent out Texas.”.

Typical Republican logic. It's "dangerous" and makes us look weak to talk to a dictator who doesn;t like us but it doesn't make us look "weak" when states talk about secession ??

I followed Ron Paul (on TV) all the way through the primaries. He seemed like the only Republican that made a little bit of sense. As of this moment I have lost all respect for him. Secession is NEVER the answer here in the US! It's insane to see Republicans or Conservatives going to such extreme measures less than 100 days after they lost control of the country.

Secession never makes sense, let me explain why. America is still blessed with a democracy. 4 years from now, if the majority decides a Republican should be president, he or she will be. Elections are how we make decisions in this country. This isn't Yugoslavia. If you don't like it you have every right to move to another country.

It would be expected to bring up secession if there was genocide taking place here in the US or if we lost our right to vote. Even then, it is a stupid decision to secede, and the coward's way out. If we ever lose democracy or freedom, or if a dictator takes power, we the people will have to take back democracy by force. Secession only weakens our collective strength against tyranny!

I think Ron paul should stay off pot for a while. It is seriously affecting his brain.

Hurray for Gov. Perry and Ron Paul. Yes, I too think it is worth discussion. Texas is a unique State with the ability to provide its own resources from both land and sea. We are strategically placed and could be a "Republic" to recon with. I think the Govenor needs to establish a think tank and outline specifically at what point (after a series of conditions that were not met by Washington) that Texas would be ready to secede. We where a Republic once and there is no reason we the people of Texas could not be again. Bye the way when did Washington ever know what Texans think unless you are from Texas. The Neo-Facists in the Obama administration do not have a clue, except for the growing fear of a grass root America that really wants to take the country back to its original design.

I always thought Ron Paul was loony. His absurd, ridiculous viewpoint confirms it.

Paul just gave another good reason why he lost. Those like Paul want to move decades back to the past, as if to say if I could just go back when I was younger I would do things different. There's that old saying "if you keep looking back, you will trip over your feet", get over it, move on.

Succession from oppression, but doing it for the governors reasons is stupid. I can tell you right now, the country of Texas will go down in flames. It no longer has the protection of the US, and mexican drug cartels will run rampant in that place.

There are fringe elements in every party. The Libertarian Party has secessionists, and the Republcians, for example, have Ann Coulter. Not all Libertarians advocate dissolving the Union just because another party holds two of the three branches of government.. Dr. Paul is often quite wise, but on this topic he's leaning to the fringe. Unfortunate.

Nullification was settled in 1865.

Ron Paul is no more a libertarian than I. He's just greedy.

Please let Texs go. Then perhaps the Bible banging wing nuts will have a homeland...

When Republicans talk about secession they herald themselves as living in the spirit of the republic...when Democrats do not support an unprovoked war, they are considered treasonous. Does this make sense to anyone?

Oh, God, I love this little secession side-road Republicans have veered off onto. Please stay on this moronic path ... you're going to guarantee that Republicans lose even bigger in the next elections.

I say go ahead as long as you take your share ot the national debt which in my book is the 1.5 trillion that George Herbert Walker Bush borrowed and the 6 trillion that George W. Bush borrowed.

That adds up to 7.5 trillion, take that portion of the national debt and succeed and do not come back.

The rest of the country will do fine, we did fine until we had Bush's in the political life and since then it has been down hill.

I thought he was OK, but it turns out he's nuts, too. Oh well.

Very American? It is treason to talk about secession, especially when it is coming from a government official. However, with that said I am personally for all of the red states breaking off from the United States and forming their own country: one without medicare, medicaid or taxes (except for defense) and where there is no gun control at all. Then, while we watch their country fall apart we can make them apply for visas if they want to enter the united states. It'd be a win-win situation.

This is a very interesting dynamic. America moving back to the stone age!

Ron Paul:
I am seventy-two. Isn't it worthy that old worthless people have one day die.
We do not need crazy people going around saying all kinds of crazy statements.

Oh my Gosh! Ron, you've gone over to the darkside. Of course, I'd like to see America go to war with Texas, but I'm not a politician!

Didn't we already have this discussion 144 years ago?

So, apparently Ron Paul thinks its "very American" to be a traitor. Wonderful to know. Let this be a note to anyone who would consider voting for him.

Ron Paul is welcome to take his sorry excuse for a campaign and secede anytime he wants!! What a gimmik to get your name back into the headlines....next he'll be saying National Security is down, then he will say Meghan McCain is twittering him!

Go ahead and secede. You Texans are a weird breed of folks and need to be apart of your own nation because you are all crazy and weird.

Okay.... while I understand that the US is a product of secession, you have to realize that you're talking about secession FROM the US. When we broke away from England, I doubt very much that we were saying, "Well, we're talking about secession, but we're still very much British, and proud to be!"

As for Texes actually breaking away from the US, I say go ahead... then you can pay for your own education, military, immigration issues, ect. From the land of Bush, I hope y'all have some better choices for leaders of your new country than Bush and Perry!

AND PS... I know there are MANY Texans who are furious with all the secession talk, and of course my post isn't meant to insult all Texans, just those who cry secession when THEIR guy (BUSH) is the one who got us into this mess!!!!!

Nice photo caption, CNN. Ron Paul has 2 heads? Have a nice day

Ron Paul is just another dumb Republican. If a democratic said
something like Rick Perry said and Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich would
want them both impeached or recalled.The people of Texas ought
to recall both of them. They ought to be telling people all the good things they get for their tax dollars rather than complaining. We get
more for tax dollars than anything else. What would it cost to build a road, a school, an Army, an Navy, Air Force, Marines and a thousand
other things, plus the millions of people who put bread on their tables
by working for governments?

Yep. I'm all for it. After all, secession worked so well last time.

Since when is breaking free from America very American?

SHAME!!!! You just lost all of your capitol with me!! I am Texan and I AM an American.

Another nut joins the party.

The Goofy Old Party and Ron Paul – what a lovely combo they are. They just need old Joe the Plumber and we will have a trifects of the crazy.

If Texas doesn't secede, can we kick them out anyway? I'm all for apologizing to Mexico and giving Texas back.

Just Great! I live in Texas and my greatest fear is the violent and ruthless drug lord in Mexico. I was a victim of identity theft when money was stolen from my bank account. The response from the local police was that the investigation would take a year and even after that, they would not tell me who did the crime. If I wanted that information, I would need an attorney. Just imagine what the drug lords would do with a police force like the one we have. We need the border patrol and other federal agents.

"Thirteen colonies seceded from the British and established a new country." The South went to war with the North becuase it believed in Slavery too. So does this mean we should go to war among ourselves because some of us think different from others Mr. Paul? There are so many different ways of thinking in our country Mr.Paul that we would kill off each other for all the different beliefs.

NO MR. PAUL, that is not the way we chose to do things in our country. We chose to elect our leaders by a majority of the votes from the Electorial College. It has worked so far and it can continue to work if idiots will stop talking crazy. People need to be more careful in what they say.

I used to like Ron Paul, but if this is true. I have no respect for him.

Great guy but in another world.

What a knob this guy is. It's like Perot had a baby brother. Texas can't secede, it's treason. End of story, I thought you 'knew the Constitution.'

I used to think Libertarians had some good ideas. Then L. Ron Paul came along to show how they would put them into practice – no thanks!

You know if they secede they will probably elect Bush as their first president and he'll invade the rest of the country.

Instead of thinking of ways to improve things or ways to work together you decide to do the cowardly thing by trying to cut and run. That is all secession is in this day an age. Stop claiming that now and 1775 are the same or even similar. Talks of secession are nothing more than political speak used to get many right wing conservatives happy. At this point I would like to request that any GOP member or right wing conservative to come up with an idea, other than tax cuts for the rich, to improve the economy. Just remember though, taxes pay for or public services, schools, roads, and much more.

Texans (Bush, Gramm, DeLay) screwed up our great country, and now they want to leave the United States?

Uh, Ronnie, we were delighted the USSR came apart because that made our adversary weaker. It wasn't because we thought it was better for the USSR, and thank goodness it wasn't.

The man is a radical extermist – why are we reading about him. Stop giving these nuts a platform.

Seceeding from England was "very Amercian" but not very British. Seceeding from America is by definition unamerican, although it might be "very Texan".

Worth a discussion for WHO?? Are you saying that the American system is like that of the Soviets? Mr. Paul, you just lost my respect!

Worth a discussion, sure, but come next hurricane season Texas too will be begging for federal disaster relief, just like they did after Rita, and after Ike! Or how about all the federal money they waste 'protecting' us against Mexican immigrants, and yet becoming one of the most porous parts of our border in the South because they embezzled all that money? They still need us more than we need them!

I am applying for the job as border guard in Oklahoma to keep the Texas foreigners from entering into the United States.

So he's looking up to the Soviet union? Is Paul hoppint to see states Seced and russians and chinese comming here to side with the seceded states? WHat'll be next? The same issue we see in Russia's neighborhood will be on our door step. People like Paul should be ashamed of themselves. If he didn't think the United States deserves to stay one republic, why was he running for office to lead it? Was he trying to be Gorbachov of the USA? It's sad these politicians are still in their offices.

How much will it cost the rest of the us to move the border fence up around Oklahoma now?

You and everyone else can leave the country... Move to whatever country you like that will tolerate you madness...Texas will stay in the Union.
I just can not believe you people are so upset regarding the repigs/repugs losing power...the same people who master minded the policies and down fall of OUR Country.

This old man is as loopy as the rest of those red state conservatives and repubs. As an older person, I often wonder what has happened to these people who just seem to want to be in the spotlight saying ridiculous things. Do they really have the best interests of America and Americans in their hearts, because I feel that if they did they would not be so divisive at this juncture.

Dr. Paul is right on here. How are we ever going to get the attention of a Government that has become so disconnected to the rights and needs of the people? How are we ever going to restore the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of rights when the current progressive leadership in Washington continues to ignore the law? This Republic does not need a “New World order” we have that given to us by our founding fathers, we just need a return to those ideals.

Bravo Sir!!

As I recall, the South lost the Civil War. This means Texas will have to abide by the agreement of 1865.

Ron Paul???Does anybody really care what this character does or thinks?

*Crickets Chirping* Giving him the side eye.

Truth be told, those who oppose secession the most are those who have the most to gain from the preservation of federal power - namely, the beneficiaries of the fed gov's vast redistributionary apparatus and those who would wield the federal club to impose their modernist social agenda on the unwilling.

That being said, Texas is in no shape to secede, considering that it would begin its independent existence as a majority Third-World nation.

Ron Paul is ridiculous in comparing our United States to the breakup of the Soviet Union. Sounds like Mr Paul and al-Qaeda have a lot in common ... to break up the USA. I'll gladly pay for his flight to the tribal area of Pakistan where he will be greeted with open arms.

Texas, much like a lot of red states, gets 95% of every dollar back that they send to Washington.

Ron Paul is the only polotician I trust. If he thinks a Texas secession is at the least, worthy of discussion than I am with him. The negative aspect of this is that we would lose a great polotician and constitutional advocate since Dr. Paul is a Texas Congressman.

If the Illinois Governor can be impeached for trying to sell Obama's
senate seat, why can't Rick Perry of Texas be impeached for treason?

Didn't we settle the secession and states rights issue 145 years ago over thousands of American bodies?

Any State that wishes to secede should be advsed that they would no longer be able to American dollars and no longer be protected by the U.S. Military.

I knew this guy had a screw loose. Now I'm certain.

Is this old guy still living in America ? He should move out to Canada , even thou I think the canadians would prefer OBAMA... That's very anti- american !!!

what rock do these people live under??? you republicans would make Ab Lincoln so proud. He died to unite this country.

I think there is nothing wrong with discussing secession, but those who are serious about it should not call themselves Americans. This is a very anti-American and unconstitutional stance. It's a heck of a lot more unpatriotic than not wearing a cheap flag pin. I hope when they leave they don't expect to take their behind their social security and medicare checks with them.

Oh my freakin’ God!!! Is there no end to the stupidity that these people can display?

No talk of secession when Republican Bush was tearing this country apart from the inside out – but in less than 100 days of the Obama administration – secession talk!

These people are gutless, hypocrite pigs!

Wow......the old saying goes that you can tell a lot about a person by the company he/she keeps.......I don't know who gets the shorter end of the stick in such a relationship between this nut and that Perry nut.

If something more is needed to proof that Ron Paul is a clown this does it. A few days ago, after he shoveled critics on Obama regarding his handling of the economy, the CNN interviewer asked him what he would propose to do, he simple answered repeating his critic on Obama, ignoring the question!!

By the way: has he used the funds collected for his Presidential candidacy being used for his congressional campaign??

Forget Tx, let them secession, and we just take their OIL. This is the
American Way.

The old fool needs to read up on his US history and look up the meaning of the word "secede": To withdraw formally from membership in an organization, association, or alliance. That was not the case with the American colonies in 1776.

Ron Paul is a coward. So is Chuck Norris.
Your line of thinking is wrong, bub. The USA is not a foreign colonist. We are your American brothers and sisters.
America needs Texas, Texas needs America.
Dont you ever forget that.

I find it ironic that the state that gave us the man who spent us into the poor house, alienated us from our allies, launched 2 messy and expensive wars, and created a political divide, now wants to secede from the US.

Sounds like folks from Texas are poor losers, unable to see any view but their own, and have a very short memory. Also, they have no responsibility for helping clean up the mess they gave us.

Just look at what race it is that want to seceded and go figure!

Ha... makes a good point...

The problem with Texas doing that... (which by the way is the only state that could legally)... is that if all the Republicans left... who would feed the Democrats????

The CNN moderators must be taking their daily 4 hour lunch. Oh well, maybe our comments will be posted by dinner time. Have a nice day!

Ahh, nothing soothes like the dulcet secessionist tones of the head Paultard. Stocking all the crazy you can handle since 1976.

dear texas,

see you later. three things: please return the stimulus funds; please move kinky friedman, willie nelson, and the dixie chicks to oklahoma; and finally, please renumenate tennessee for all the great volunteers it lost while liberating you from santa anna.

Give me a freaking break. So now the uber-patriotic Americans love this country so much they are openly talking about dissolving the country?

Gee, if only Texas had left the United States 10 years ago, we would not be in the mess we are in.

Can we call Perry and Paul Texas Separatists now?

You're right Ron Paul! We need to get out while the gettin's good. This country has gone to heck in a handbasket ever since that Saddam Hoosain guy blew up the world trade center. Now we're all going to be communists. ACORN is giving all our jobs to illegal aliens. They want to teach my grandbabies that we came from monkeys! Monkeys!!! Gay people will be able to get married and vote and everything. They're going to spend my grandbabies future on wasteful porkulusses like education and interstructure!!! Wise up people, soon us God fearing folks will be the minority, then they'll start rounding us up and putting us in the reeducation camps. Have a nice day!!!

It has become obvious that most old head Republcians want their own country and I say give it to them. Republicans can not stand the fact that a black man is running their USA and would rather live us where than to listen to a man that once was a slave to the white race and they can not stomack the very thought of listening to a race that they still feel is beneath their race. I am all for this to seceded now that they have become the minority.

well, while this idea is in the interest of every American,how does it sit with our partners in the middle east..

The black man is running the show now so sit down shut and have a beer. This is it for the next 8 years get use to it. And we will all the better after this. First guy that has a brain running things.

Ron, I welcome your opinions, after all I am a Democrat and open to all ideas however this kind of talk sounds very UN American to me. We are a country made up of states and if the states secede then we are no longer a COUNTRY.

This is the most Anti-American thing I have heard in a long time!

Losing Texas in the Union would be the best thing that could happen to America.

Then we might not have the likes of George W. Bush as president.

Just sayin.....

2012, here we come.

let Texas go.

PLEASE!!!!!