Here are some facts about California: Our state is the most-populous in the country by a wide margin; by ourselves, we would be considered the sixth-largest economy in the world; we have a pretty impressive array of natural resources… and the overwhelming majority of our states' votes yesterday went to a candidate who is not going to become President of the United States. So, some people are suggesting maybe it’s time we just go it alone?
Last night, Shervin Pishevar, an influential Silicon Valley investor involved with Uber, Airbnb, Slack and other major brands, suggested just that in a series of Twitter posts. Pishevar has even got a name—and Twitter handle, obviously—picked out. He’s going with New California.
1/ If Trump wins I am announcing and funding a legitimate campaign for California to become its own nation.
— Shervin (@shervin) November 9, 2016
He’s not alone in thinking about what a Calexit might look like. As Business Insider reports this afternoon, an organization called Yes California Independence is already at work to lay the groundwork. Their play is to get a secession referendum on the 2019 statewide ballot. Not only will that not help much in the short-term, there is also the small matter of that probably not, you know, being a legally-binding thing we can do.
They said Donald Trump wouldn't happen. They said #Brexit wouldn't happen. What're you going to say if they tell you #Calexit won't happen?
— Yes California (@YesCalifornia) November 9, 2016
Nonetheless, if we do figure out some way to break off, being the generous, inclusive people we Californians are, maybe we should invite Oregon and Washington to come with? We might need to keep them around for their water, if nothing else.
WA , OR, and CA secede from the US. #Calexit we would be the worlds chillest country.
— Tom Haverford (@_AverageAndrew) November 9, 2016
If you're wondering how it might all come about, the Washington Post made this helpful video in response to a movement a while back in Texas advocating for its break off.
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