Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Maryland Counties Secede to West Virginia?
In this week’s news-of-the-kind-of, sort-of-weird, six Republican legislators representing Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties sent a group letter to West Virginia’s House Speaker and Senate President about adding the three counties to the Mountaineer State. “We believe this arrangement may be mutually beneficial for both states and for our local constituencies. Please advise on next steps,” the letter read.
Secession of the three counties is all but 100 percent certain to fail. To do so would require full approval from the Maryland General Assembly, which has zero interest in surrendering territory and constituents. Plus, any such deal would require agreement with West Virginia; as well as the full consent of the U.S. Congress, which last granted approval to change state boundaries in 1863.
Our questions to you:
To what end, do you think, are these six legislators seeking secession from Maryland? Are they truly in touch with their counties’ and Maryland constituents?
Should Maryland consider the proposal and it losing territory and tax base?
Here’s what you said:
Let them go if the locals vote to do so. At the same time return the District of Columbia to Maryland to make up for any tax base losses and gives MD state rights to D.C. residents.
Rick Michaels, Annapolis
Western Maryland secessionists are only a symptom of a state that is literally on the verge of political and cultural civil revolution. The long history of the formerly proud state of Maryland is at critical mass. Time for every single Marylander to look in their collective 'mirrors'. Maryland is not a 'United State' by any stretch of opinion. We citizens of Anne Arundel County & Annapolis area are truly the capital county and state capital are incredibly fortunate and privileged. The great state of Maryland has been politically, culturally, and financially annexed by the District of Columbia over the last one hundred years. Only the eastern shore, western Maryland, St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties have been able to maintain some degree of Maryland independence. Maryland is on the verge of being referred to as the “People’s Republic of Maryland.
Gerard Hall, Annapolis