It Needs To Be Said

 E.J. Dionne notes an incontrovertible truth that Republicans refuse to acknowledge that Democratic presidents are legitimate. He traces this back to Clinton's clear - but minority - victory in 1992, through "Birtherism" and on to Trump's outrageous lies about the election. David Frum's observation that as Republicans realize that they can't win democratic election they will turn on democracy itself is looking more and more true.

Last week, when we looked to be headed towards some narrow Biden win at best, my sister suggested that we just break the US up. As the magnitude of Biden's victory - at this point over 5,000,000 votes - sinks in, some of that fever has passed. But frankly, I would love to see about ten states secede, those who gave Trump over 60% of the vote. Let Appalachia secede and the empty red quarters of the Dakotas, Wyoming and Idaho. If 66% of a state wants to secede, they can leave. 

Two things will happen.

First, Democrats will not be burdened by an obstructionist Senate. Lincoln and the Republican Party were able to pass a host of important bills without Southern Democratic obstruction - the Morrill Tariff, the Morrill Land Grant, the Pacific Railroad Act, the National Bank, the nation's first income tax. The dominance of the urban/suburban areas when you divorce the empty red quarters would produce good bills, better laws and a stronger country.

Second, these rump states will fail. Appalachia and the Upper Plains would be poor, isolated and poorly run. Eventually, they will come slinking back. When they do, consolidate them into a couple of large red states. Isolate the madness. Congress can't change the borders of states, but once they secede they become territories and all bets are off.

This isn't about the Coup Clutz Clan's efforts to the overthrow the election to Trump. That will fail. This is about one party delegitimizing the majority will of the nation. The GOP has become the biggest threat to American democracy. All options need to be on the table to save it. 

UPDATE: America has a democracy problem.