Secession–How To!

An Interview with Daniel Miller, President, Texas Nationalist Movement

From the TNM Website

What is the mission of the Texas Nationalist Movement?

“The Texas Nationalist Movement exists to secure and protect the political, cultural and economic independence of the nation of Texas and to restore and protect a constitutional Republic and the inherent rights of the people of Texas.”

If Texas were to secede from the United States, what is the process by which it would do so?

“Article 1 Section 2 of the Texas Constitution preserves the right to the people the right to alter, reform, or abolish, this present form of government, in the manner we deem expedient.

This is the lawful and legal authority of the people. There is no manual for secession so a state has to synthesize a process from historical and modern day examples. There are several to follow. TNM advocates the same methods used by our forefathers in 1861 which included referendums, voting, conventions, and finally nullifying statehood through secession which closely mirror modern day examples around the world. It was a peaceful secession initially recognized by the US.

We are not limited to these means and if a better opportunity or method presents itself we may employ those too. TNM is dedicated to peaceful independence.”

If Texas were to secede from the United States, how would family life styles, business operations (large and small), etc., be affected by the re-establishment of an independent republic of Texas?

“In the interim process there would be little noticeable change other than a screeching halt to our money and resources flowing into the US coffers. It will be after our new Constitution is written and ratified that the real change begins. As we begin to craft a nation that is more reflective of our people, it gives us an opportunity to represent the principles of individual freedom, limited government, sound money, etc. It will give us an opportunity to craft Texas solutions for Texas challenges. Over the long term, Texas would exceed all expectations of even the most optimistic of us. The numbers are on our side. “

Texas Economic Viability as an Independent Nation

Many detractors of our goal of Texas independence have stated that they don’t believe that Texas could survive as an independent nation. However, a quick check of the facts and any type of intellectual honesty shows the exact opposite is true. Let’s look at the data and compare it to the rest of the world.

Texas Gross Domestic Product – Texas had a Gross Domestic Product of $1.245 trillion in 2008. This would place Texas ahead of 183 other independent nations.

Population – A 2007 estimate put the Texas population at 23,904,380. This would place Texas ahead of 117 other independent nations.

Labor Force – Texas has always been known for it’s outstanding labor force. The 2009 estimates for the Texas labor force stand at 11,861,400 which would be more than 152 other independent nations.

Potential Government Revenue – Since a tremendous amount of tax money paid by Texans goes to fuel a bloated Federal bureaucracy and fund Federal programs that would not exist in an independent Texas, it is a piece of information that has to be calculated. We will also have to make one assumption to arrive at this figure. For the purposes of arriving at potential government revenue, we will assume that all taxes paid to the Federal Government will be shifted to Austin. This will give us a “potential” revenue for the government of an independent Texas. Texans paid $225.4 billion into the Federal tax system in 2005 (the latest year from which we can obtain data). The State of Texas collected $77.5 billion in the 2008 fiscal year. Combine these two and you receive potential government revenue of $302.9 billion per year. This would place Texas 12th in the world in budget revenues and ahead of 183 other independent nations.

Exports – Texas exports in 2006 totaled $150.8 billion making us 28th globally and ahead of 167 other independent nations.

Military – Since Texas doesn’t currently have a standing military other than the State Guard, we will have to calculate these numbers based on what we do know. The United States spends 4% of its Gross Domestic Product on the military and defense. Applying this percentage to the GDP of Texas gives us a figure of approximately $50 billion per year which would rank us 5th globally in military spending ahead of 190 other independent nations.

Energy – Texas Crude Oil Proved Reserves: 4,613 million barrels, ranked 1st in US. Texas is fully self-sufficient in current energy resources, when used wisely, to last Texas easily another 100-300 years. Besides Texas’ oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy capabilities, Texas is a leader in wind, solar, & methane energy development and practical usage.

Looking solely at these factors may not be enough to make a determination of Texas’ viability as an independent nation, but they are significant and are complimented by mountains of other data related to the economy, infrastructure, labor and energy that are easily accessible.

What types of Texans (i.e., demographics: age groups, race, economic status, education levels, etc.) support the idea of an independent Texas?

“The membership of the Texas Nationalist Movement is reflective of the population overall in Texas. We cut across all lines. In the end, a Texan is a Texan regardless of the other pigeonholes that others try to put us into. TNM welcomes any and all Texans that pledge to support our goals regardless of any background.”

How would the republic of Texas be set up to interact and interface with the United States federal government and the governments of the individual states?

“This question may be premature since there are many variables that come into play once independence is gained from the US. We envision a peaceful treaty of recognition with the US. The type of relationship is basically up to the US. Texas is going independent FOR TEXAS, not antagonistically to the USA, though we have many issues over the past 170 years that lead us to independence. How Texas will interact with other state governments will be limited to what is allowed by the federal government of the US. Texas will enter the family of nations without enemies.”

How would the citizens of a newly independent republic of Texas, currently receiving US federal government entitlements (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, federal government employee retirement and medical benefits, social security payments, etc.) be affected by the creation of the sovereign republic of Texas?

“What is owed the individual person via these various plans are still owed by the USA or guaranteed by them. Nothing changes legally what is due the retiree. These are misnomers by candidates seeking election as entitlements, when these are in a completely separate class Insurance and retirements are not taxpayer entitlement programs, but were paid for by the person or their employer.”

Would the republic of Texas develop its own monetary system? If so, would the Texas republics’ monetary system be based on a gold and/or silver standard?

“Yes, but we’re not limited to ONLY gold and silver, though these may be the standard. Texas has many natural resources and assets that can also be used to create a monetary system, back by value.”

How would the republic of Texas defend its borders and its citizens from foreign invasion and border encroachments?

“As all other nations that value their freedom and independence do. We will cooperate with the nations with which we share a border to insure that they and their citizens respect it. We will utilize our military to secure it if necessary. What sort of military we will have can only be speculated at this time. Since Texas doesn’t currently have a standing military other than the State Guard, we will have to calculate these numbers based on what we do know. The United States spends 4% of its Gross Domestic Product on the military and defense. Applying this percentage to the GDP of Texas gives us a figure of approximately $50 billion per year which would rank us 5th globally in military spending ahead of 190 other independent nations. In short, we will have no trouble defending ourselves.”

Would the republic of Texas develop political, economic and defensive alliances with other sovereign nations?

“The Texas Nationalist Movement believes that our Forefathers held the correct viewpoint on these issues. Avoid all foreign entanglements when possible. Political alliances with those that are politically aligned with us. Economic alliances with everyone who trades fairly with us. Defensive alliances when it is truly for our defense.”

Why should the other 49 states in the union pay attention to Texas and its demand for sovereignty or secession?

“They should pay attention since our success here in Texas provides a clear alternative path for them. Ultimately, the struggle that we are in is one of choice. Can the people of a state choose to live and act in their political, cultural and economic interest or must they set these aside to live in the interests of others? “

What advice would you, as president of the Texas Nationalist Movement, give the Texas state legislature regarding sovereignty or secession?

“This is the most important time in their lives. This is why people should aspire to hold public office. They have an opportunity to write history or be written off. They must now listen to the overwhelming voice of the Texan people that is calling for them to be statesmen. We are calling for them to do what must be done to secure our freedom and independence. If they do not have the courage to do what needs to be done, then give the people of Texas a referendum so that our voices can be heard. Let us speak where they are silent. “

Daniel Miller
President, Texas Nationalist Movement
3104 Nederland Avenue
Nederland, TX 77627
(409) 527-4929