Count the Cost

I wrote last week about increasing open discussion among commentators and pundits about attempting to find ways to peacefully split the U.S. into two or more new countries.

The premise of the national conversation along these lines is that America is already so sharply divided on key political and social issues that it would be better if we just went separate ways. Those who advocate this idea fail to grasp just how difficult it would be.

For purposes of discussion, let us say Nebraska joined with the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana to create a new country and split from the U.S. Okay, what will...