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California - Not Independent Now And Most Likely Not Independent Ever
Tuesday, March 18, 2025

I have seen the line "Independence now, independence forever!" attributed to Daniel Webster but I have been unable to locate the line in any of the texts cited as the source. I have also seen a longer quotation attributed to John Adams:

Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgement approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence for ever!

Here in California, the Secretary of State has announced that the proponent of a new independence initiative has been cleared to begin collecting petition signatures. The Attorney General’s official title and summary for the measure is as follows:

REQUIRES FUTURE VOTE ON WHETHER CALIFORNIA SHOULD BECOME INDEPENDENT COUNTRY. INITIATIVE STATUTE. If enacted, this measure places the following question on November 2028 ballot: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?” If at least 50% of registered voters participate in that election, and at least 55% vote “yes”, it would constitute “a vote of no confidence in the United States of America” and “expression of the will of the people of California” to become an independent country, but would not change California’s current government or relationship with the United States. Creates commission to report on California’s viability as independent country. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Around $10 million dollars in one-time election-related costs and to form the new commission on national sovereignty and independence. Around $2 million in annual state costs to operate the commission.

Note that the initiative must surmount two very high hurdles. First, the proponent must collect signatures of 546,651 registered voters (5% of the total votes cast for Governor in the November 2022 general election) in order for the measure to become eligible for the ballot. Next, the specified vote must be obtained. Even if these hurdles should be overcome, that won't be the day the California says "goodbye". Rather, the initiative requires that a commission study California's viability as an independent country.

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