But what if there were 8 more seats in the Senate, all filled by Republicans? While not as well known as the idea that Texas reserves the right to secede from the Union at any point because it was previously a republic (which is just urban legend, btw), there was a provision in the agreement under which Texas was admitted to the Union that allows Texas to at any point divide itself into as many as five different states. As each state is allotted two senators by the Constitution, that would result in 8 additional senators. Assuming that all of those additional senators were Republicans (in Texas, very likely), the make-up of an expanded U.S. Senate would be 58 Democrats, 48 Republicans, and 2 Independents. As Senate rules require a three-fifths supermajority to stop a filibuster, the new magic number would be 64. The result is that Democrats would have to make concessions to the Republicans in order to allow any bill to come to a vote.

Am I saying this is likely to happen? Of course not. Texans are way too prideful to allow their beloved state to be subdivided. I think Texas secession is much more likely than Texas subdividing. But it does make for interesting political theory, doesn’t it?

Here’s a part of his comments to give you a flavor, but you really ought to watch the whole video.

“Mr. Ross has nailed it. The government is promoting bad behavior. We certainly don’t want to put stimulus pork and give people a whopping $8 or $10 in their check and think that they ought to save it.

And in terms of modifications, I tell you what. I have an idea. The new administration is big on computers and technology. How about this, Mr. President and new administration. Why don’t you put up a website to have people vote on the internet as a referendum to see if we really want to subsidize the losers mortgages? Or would they like to at least buy buy cars, buy a house that is in foreclosure … give it to people who might have a chance to actually prosper down the road and reward people that can carry the water instead of drink the water?

This is America!  (he turns to the traders nearby)

How many people want to pay for your neighbor’s mortgages that has an extra bathroom and can’t pay their bills? Raise their hand!

President Obama, are you listening?

You know Cuba used to have mansions and a relatively decent economy. They moved from the individual to the collective. Now they’re driving ’54 Chevys.

It’s time for another tea party.

What we are doing in this country will make Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin roll over in their graves.”

This clip was from a McCain campaign rally last week. Sadly I don’t think either candidate turns us around from a socialist march, although McCain probably at least marches it at a slower pace than Obama. If there was ever a time for a third party to rise, this would be it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuSYHnVpYbs