S.F. should declare independence

I don’t like Arizona’s new immigration law, because it increases the arbitrary authority of the polizei, as William Grigg explains. (The real solution to the immigration problem is Ron Paul’s: Build the border fence, and cut off all tax money going to immigrants, unless they become citizens.)

But San Francisco’s announced boycott of Arizona is ridiculous. They’re both part of the United States, so trade among the states, and cities, is regulated by the federal government.

If S.F. really wants to send a message, how about declaring independence and becoming a separate country? Then they could also put a trade embargo on Arizona/USA, banning all exchanges of goods and services, and prohibiting travel to and from S.F. And they could crown Nancy Pelosi as their Queen.

They certainly have the right and authority to declare their independence. As the Declaration of Independence put it:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

So, S.F., put up or shut up.

— John Seiler