Guess we agree with Lincoln on one thing…
A recent nationwide poll of 800 likely voters conducted by John Zogby Strategies found 40% of respondents back states’ independence, with almost 50% of millennials in support.
Respondents were asked to pick one of following two statements:
Statement A: ”If a majority of residents within a given state prefer to have the final say over their destiny without the control of Washington D.C. then let them have it – it is their right.”
Statement B: ”If residents within a given state were to take such a drastic measure and secede from the United States, the federal government would be justified in sending in the military to prevent secession from taking place.”
While it is troubling that 32% of the public still think violence is the answer by agreeing with Statement B, nearly four in ten (39%) agree that each state has the ultimate say over their destiny and that states’ independence is a right. (29% were not sure.)
These numbers are very encouraging, especially when considering nearly half of all millennials, ages 18-29, support independence (47%). Support drops with the progression of each age group, and for ages 65 and older, you’ll only find 1 in 3 voters (33%) who agree with Statement A. Clearly, decentralization is the wave of the future!
Breaking the numbers down by political parties, Democrats take a slight lead with 41% who agree with Statement A, followed by 40% of those identifying as “Independent or Other Party”. For Republicans, 38% also went with Statement A in support of the right of states to break from the federal government.
Looking at different regions, the highest support for independence can be found in the South, Northeast, and West (48%, 43%, and 43% respectively).
Globally, independence is also trending. From Scotland and Catalan, to Venice, France, and Brexit in the UK. Even here, calls from California, Texas, Oregon, Vermont, and of course, New Hampshire, are being heard and given more credence. In fact, the findings reported in this poll correspond to a Union Leader poll conducted last year where a stunning 42% of Granite Staters said they would vote for a “free N.H.”
As technology continues to set us free, and as the federal government continues its destructive policies, the vast portion of the public who support the cause of independence will continue to grow. Our job is to continue to educate Granite Staters on the advantages of divorcing from D.C.
