(07-20-2021 07:23 AM)XLance Wrote:  

(07-19-2021 03:02 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Is it time to SECede?

Some of us tried that once and the US Government, even though they had no legal right to do so, invaded our country and hunted us down with guns.

Well, I'm from Virginia, but I don't think so. I've looked for the clause in the US constitution that gives a state the right to secede, and I've never been able to find it.

IIRC, this was settled during the ratification of the constitution, and by an issue brought up by a northern state: When New York was debating whether to ratify the constitution and join the USA, the sentiment in the legislature was to do so, but with a caveat that New York retains the right to leave the USA if it should so choose. They wanted a "secession clause", at least for themselves. Alexander Hamilton said that this would be tantamount to "non-ratification", as joining the union was irreversible.