New York City could become the nation's 51st state

Stevey Boy

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - The last time there was a decent tax revolt here, America was born.



This time, New York City could become the nation's 51st state, if a secession proposal by a local councilman succeeds.


Simply put, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. argues, the city pays $3.5 billion more to the state in taxes than it gets in return and can't afford it anymore.


'We need our money back,' he said this week.


The timing couldn't be better, he said, as lawmakers in the capital of Albany wrestle over the latest state budget.


'In the past the idea of secession was romantic and maybe cute. Now it may be the only the way for the city to survive,' Vallone said.


It's not the first time New York has threatened to pack up and leave. Novelist Norman Mailer argued for secession in his 1969 quixotic mayoral bid. In the 19th century, a pro-slavery mayor proposed New York secede during the U.S. Civil War.


But it is no easy task. Vallone's proposal before the city council calls for a ballot referendum asking the public for approval to study secession for two years. Secession would need the approval of the state legislature and, last but certainly not least, the U.S. Congress.


Details would be tricky, from designing a new water supply system to a prison system to finding a new name, Vallone admitted. He offered 'Greater New York,' 'Gotham' or 'New Amsterdam' -- the city's name in the seventeenth century.


Then there's the issue of changing the American flag to add a 51st star. 'That's a good question. I hadn't thought of that,' he said. 'That could be what sinks the whole thing.'


Still, it's more than a folly, Vallone argued.


'We fought a war over secession. It was the Revolutionary War,' he said.


Critics argue that New York city on its own could not pay its bills. Mayor Michael Bloomberg dismissed Vallone's idea when it was first suggested, saying: 'New York state is not about to let 50 percent of its revenue go.'


Former Mayor Ed Koch, known for his blunt statements, said of the notion: 'It's bullshit. It's a lot of talk about nothing. It's a schmucky idea. I said that when it was first introduced, and it's still schmucky.'


Nevertheless, Vallone is unfazed. 'If this effort does nothing else but fix the inequities that exist, then it was successful,' he said.




http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...&e=4&u=/nm/20030509/od_nm/politics_newyork_dc
 
Now that means if NYC makes it secede to 51st state they become the SMALLEST state and that moves RI to 2nd smallest state ...wow


but make NYC the 51st adds headache and more government bullshit


No wonder its :crazy:
 
if its real, it would be BADASSED! i love NYC. a full state of city..
maybe one of the best states in the usa..
 
Originally posted by sablescort
Now that means if NYC makes it secede to 51st state they become the SMALLEST state and that moves RI to 2nd smallest state ...wow


but make NYC the 51st adds headache and more government bullshit


No wonder its :crazy:
you are right...

RI - 1,045 Sq. Miles
NYC - 301 Sq. Miles
 
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The idea of a city being a state is not so uncommon as you may think. In Germany, they have three city-states: Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen.

I am surprised to hear that this guy is trying to have the city seceded from the state. But it does make sense, so many ppl live there, and a lot of taxes going to Albany and elsewhere, not fair. Same thing happens here in South Jersey, all of our taxes goes up to Trenton and elsewhere, nothing in back.
 
True. I believe if it does happens, New York City would be the first megacity in USA. I think there are megacities existed in South America.
 
If this succeeds, all they have to do is put one sign at the border of NYC. On one side, "Welcome to New York City!" On the other side, "Thanks for visiting New York City!"
 
If New York City become 51st state. That mean NYC have to change to New York State. Look like city become state. that's rare!!!
 
damn I just like 50 states but why not hawaii? if NYC becomes 51st instead of hawaii or hawaii become 52nd state later on? :eek: that wud be weird :roll:
 
Originally posted by funnybebe78
damn I just like 50 states but why not hawaii? if NYC becomes 51st instead of hawaii or hawaii become 52nd state later on? :eek: that wud be weird :roll:

No, If Hawaii was not a state at this point, there would be only 49 states. Then you add New York City as a state making it 50th. Then Hawaii comes next, it's 51st.
 
Hosting: What name of small state?
*buzz*
Guest 1: Hawaii!
Hosting: *laugh* I am sorry, you got it wrong answer.
*buzz*
Guest 2: I know! I know! Rhode Island!
Hosting: I am sorry, that's still wrong answer.
Guest 2: WTF?
*beep*beep*
Hosting: Time has run out, the answer is New York City.
 
Originally posted by illustrator
Hosting: What name of small state?
*buzz*
Guest 1: Hawaii!
Hosting: *laugh* I am sorry, you got it wrong answer.
*buzz*
Guest 2: I know! I know! Rhode Island!
Hosting: I am sorry, that's still wrong answer.
Guest 2: WTF?
*beep*beep*
Hosting: Time has run out, the answer is New York City.

Did you make that up?
 
Originally posted by illustrator
Hosting: What name of small state?
*buzz*
Guest 1: Hawaii!
Hosting: *laugh* I am sorry, you got it wrong answer.
*buzz*
Guest 2: I know! I know! Rhode Island!
Hosting: I am sorry, that's still wrong answer.
Guest 2: WTF?
*beep*beep*
Hosting: Time has run out, the answer is New York City.


that's funny :laugh2:
 
Originally posted by Stevey Boy
True. I believe if it does happens, New York City would be the first megacity in USA. I think there are megacities existed in South America.

Yes, México City is the largest city in the world. It still exists. (not existed :laugh2: )
 
Originally posted by GoldenLeaf74
USA gov't are :crazy:

Remember, in Canada, a lot of provinces want to secede from Ottawa. Don't Québec and Alberta ring a bell? ;)
 
Originally posted by funnybebe78
damn I just like 50 states but why not hawaii? if NYC becomes 51st instead of hawaii or hawaii become 52nd state later on? :eek: that wud be weird :roll:
:eek: hawaii is the 49th state before alaska heh
 
WOW!!!!!!!!!! thats damn interest to know .. I didn't know about this . actually hawaii is part of states !!! also Puero rico would have been 51 states then NYC would have been 52 states .. but PR. turn it down in few years ago that what i recall that ...
 
Originally posted by kuifje75
Yes, México City is the largest city in the world. It still exists. (not existed :laugh2: )

Tokyo, Japan is the largest metropolitan areas in the world with 28 million people.
 
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