While Scotland voted "no" on independence, nearly a quarter of Americans might have voted "yes" if given the chance: Some 23.9 percent of Americans support or would seriously consider the idea of their state seceding from the union. Though support is a little higher among Republicans (29.7 percent) than Democrats, even 21 percent of President Obama's party is open to secession. Strongest regional support came from the Southwest — a region including the ever-independent Texas — where more than a third responded favorably to seceding.
Independence supporters expressed feelings of disenfranchisement and dissatisfaction with both major parties. "I have totally, completely lost faith in the federal government, the people running it, whether Republican, Democrat, independent, whatever," said Texan Mark Denny. Another supporter of state secession, Roy Gustafson, struck a similar note: "I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference anymore which political party is running things. Nothing gets done. The state would be better off handling things on its own."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
'That message may seem unimpeachable'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
How is Chili's saving casual dining? Could others follow?Today's Big Question Value and TikTok virality bring in the diners
-
NASA is abandoning the climateThe Explainer Climate missions could be going dark
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's illsSpeed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, StalloneSpeed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's viewSpeed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talkSpeed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposesspeed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wifespeed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster showSpeed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
