The Newest State?

There is a small revolt brewing in Northern California. It hasn't received much press yet, but if it continues as expected, it just might. 

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday in favor of a declaration of secession, the Record Searchlight of Redding reported (http://bit.ly/1cFTqUG ). The process would not be easy, requiring approval from the state Legislature and the U.S. Congress, but supporters say it would restore local control over decision making.

The issue at hand, of course, is the the feeling by the residents of the lack of services, overregulation and even the lack of representation in Sacramento. The residents of Siskiyou are trying to have the residents of the surrounding counties of Del Norte, Shasta, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity and others to join them in this quest.

In addition, the residents of several southern counties of Oregon, appear to be willing to entertain such an option. Together, these counties would form the State of Jefferson, named after Thomas Jefferson, who sent Lewis and Clark to the region in 1803. This has been proposed before, in 1941. The outbreak of WWII brought that movement to an abrupt end.

Understand that a nation based on revolution should not be surprised when its citizens find conditions to be unsatisfactory, whether on the county, state or national level, and wish to change those conditions in order to improve their quality of life. The people and leaders in California who feel this way have taken an important first step to improve their lot. 

Those of us who believe in less government and not more should applaud their efforts and wish them success in this endeavor.