California's Soft Secession Movement Gains Momentum: Can the State Break Free from Federal Gridlock?

California's Soft Secession Movement Gains Momentum In a move that has been years in the making, California's soft secession movement is gaining traction, with proponents arguing that the state's size and diversity make it inefficient to govern. The concept of soft secession, which involves breaking up large states into smaller, more manageable entities, has been floated as a solution to the challenges facing California. Tim Draper, a venture capitalist who launched a Six Californias ballot initiative in 2013, is credited with popularizing the idea. "California was too big, too diverse, to be efficiently governed," Draper said at the time. "We would get more representation in Congress and have more control over our own affairs." The proposal, which involved breaking California into six new states, was met with skepticism by many, who saw it as a ploy to create a libertarian deregulation zone. However, proponents argue that soft secession could be a viable solution to the state's problems. California has been grappling with issues such as housing affordability, traffic congestion, and economic inequality, which have led some to question whether the state can continue to function effectively as a single entity. "We're not talking about hard secession, where we leave the Union," said Draper in an interview. "We're talking about soft secession, where we break up into smaller states that are more manageable and more representative of their citizens." The idea of soft secession is not new to California. Since its admission to the Union as part of the Compromise of 1850, there have been over 220 proposals for the state to divide or secede. However, this latest iteration has gained momentum in recent years, with some arguing that it could be a solution to the state's problems. Supporters of soft secession point to the benefits of smaller states, including more representative government and greater economic competitiveness. "When you break up large states into smaller ones, you get more representation in Congress and more control over your own affairs," said Draper. "It's not just about California; it's about creating a model for other states to follow." However, critics argue that soft secession could have unintended consequences, such as weakening the Democratic Party's voting share in the Senate. "We need to be careful about how we approach this issue," said Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). "While I understand the desire for more representation and control, we need to think carefully about the implications of soft secession." The current status of the soft secession movement is unclear, with some proponents pushing for a ballot initiative in 2024. However, it remains to be seen whether the idea will gain traction or falter. As California continues to grapple with its challenges, the concept of soft secession remains on the table as a potential solution. While it may not be a panacea for all the state's problems, it has sparked an important conversation about representation and governance in the Golden State. Background: California was admitted to the Union as part of the Compromise of 1850, which allowed it to enter the Union as a free state. Since then, there have been over 220 proposals for the state to divide or secede. Additional Perspectives: "Soft secession is not just about California; it's about creating a model for other states to follow," said Draper. "We need to be careful about how we approach this issue," said Senator Feinstein. "While I understand the desire for more representation and control, we need to think carefully about the implications of soft secession." Current Status: The current status of the soft secession movement is unclear, with some proponents pushing for a ballot initiative in 2024. Next Developments: As California continues to grapple with its challenges, the concept of soft secession remains on the table as a potential solution. *Reporting by Motherjones.*