by Rick Badman

Created on: August 26, 2009

Vermont, Texas, California, and maybe Alaska have discussed seceding from the United States. But they have been a part of the United States for too long to make the break.

Take Vermont. It is a small state that may find a complete break too difficult. It may want to be a part of Canada after awhile if Washington doesn't take it back. But let's say that Ottawa also doesn't want it. Total independence could be very difficult.

There would be little money coming from Washington in the form of foreign aid. The federal taxes that help support Vermont would not be available for infrastructure improvement. But since nothing will be going to Washington, the citizens will save billions that may have to go to Montpelier. The money could be used more efficiently since it won't have to go to Washington first. So maybe the infrastructure might not be hurt as much.

Vermont isn't an economic powerhouse like Texas or New York. There isn't that much industry. It might become more like Switzerland which relies on tourism and banking. That might be something if Vermont becomes an off-shore banking power. If gold, silver, or platinum is discovered in the nation, then it could mint its own coins and print its own money. But since it is ranked economically last in the nation now, it would be a relatively poor nation in the world.

The people are used to taking a vocal part in the government thanks to the town hall meetings. That could be why so many want to be independent from the United States. With government health care a possibility that could cost Vermonters too much, they may scream louder for independence. It doesn't help to have a Senator that supports it. But he may reject it if it isn't radical enough.

I describe Vermont as another Switzerland due to its agricultural industry and tourism. Switzerland has chocolate while Vermont has maple syrup. Both have milk and cheese. But Vermont has Ben and Jerry and the ice cream they produce. Switzerland had Zwingli who was a dominant figure in the Reformation. Vermont was where Joseph Smith was born who started Mormonism. The Geneva Bible was printed first in Geneva, Switzerland. The Book of Mormon was written by Smith. But Switzerland is an economic giant compared to Vermont.

Overall, it is better for Vermont to remain in the United States. It would be ranked between Botswana and Cyprus as an economic power. But that ranking could drop. Vermont would already be below 100th in economic ranking. Then again, if Vermont doesn't have the economic drag of Washington it might do better. It might be better than 100th in the world. But do Vermonters want to do worst than people in Bangladesh do economically?

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