Here's one we missed first time around in 2004. New York Magazine discusses complete secession of New York from the United States. The article is actually something of a diatribe against Americans in general and Republicans in particular, and the idea is not taken completely seriously. But author Jennifer Senior gives some serious thought to both the reasons and the issues of secession which are relevant even to our less radical proposal.

Be advised that there are a couple of instances of serious profanity, but the article is certainly worth a read for an interesting perspective on why secession (from New York state) would work and why it would make a good deal of sense.

New York Magazine - August 9, 2004 - The Independent Republic of New York

Time Magazine, June 21, 1971 -- Should New York City Be the 51st State?

We recently stumbled upon this article from over 36 years ago in what was then one of the most respected weekly news magazine in America.

Then, as now, the issue revolved in large part around finances and the incongruity of the nation's largest city having to go hat-in-hand to a largely small-town legislature, not for money -- since the city has long been the states largest source of tax revenue, but for permission to spend money raised from within the city itself.

Two points that we found particularly interesting are:

"The concept of a governmental entity the size of the city of New York or Chicago or Los Angeles did not even exist at the time the Constitution was written." He considers state domination of the large cities "preposterous."

and

"The academics find much more merit in Lindsay's latest —and far more realistic—proposal to create 'national cities' that would be free of most ties to their states and would deal directly with Washington on those issues that most affect them, such as welfare, health and trade."

This article is not only remarkably relevant after 36 years, but also an interesting window into urban issues a generation ago.

by Dan Ackman, Forbes.com, April 3, 2003

Story linked with the express permission of Forbes.com

Author Dan Ackman discusses the issue of statehood from a tax and revenue perspective. Ackman focuses on the challenges of formulating a revenue strategy for the new state. The article cites opinion, from both sides of the argument, on the economic impact of seccession and includes a memorable quote from former NYC Mayor Edward I Koch expressing some skepticism about the idea. Click here for the article in Forbes.com.