The Treaty

How would this work?

The existing U.S. Congress would pass a law authorizing the division of the country into two smaller countries, and set a date for the division five years from now. The President would sign the law, and a date would be set.

Once the division occurs, the two countries would both adopt the same U.S. Constitution that is now in effect, and would agree to make no Constitutional changes for five years. Also, both countries would agree to maintain an open border for ten years, allowing free movement, including the right to relocate and receive citizenship in the other country. At the end of the ten years, both countries would be free to begin altering immigration rules for immigrants from the other U.S. This allows everyone the chance to relocate to the country they prefer without penalty. The existing President at the time of the division will choose which country to preside over until their term expires. The other country will hold a new presidential election using the existing electoral college process, but just within their country. Members of Congress will divide in accordance with their states. The Supreme Court will be disbanded. The president of each new country will nominate a full bench of nine justices for their respective country, and the Senate will perform advise and consent, in accordance with the Constitution. If the new presidents wish to pick from the existing Supreme Court for this purpose they may, but the members of the Court must be residents of their respective country, and if they elect to move to the other country during the first ten years, they would give up their position. The new Congresses in each country would be free to start passing new laws immediately. To help create stability for a period of time, and for the residents of the respective countries to develop an understanding of what will happen, no changes to the Constitution would be allowed for five years in either country, but after that period of time, amendments would be allowed and go through the normal ratification process. This gives everyone a chance to learn what the political climate will be in each of the new countries, and to decide where they want to live before the immigration rules change. The assets and liabilities of the existing U.S. would be divided between the two new countries based on the population of each new country, according to the last census. For example, if 48% of the people live in the new Northern U.S. and 52% live in the new Southern U.S., the bureaus and administrations (and the debt) would divide along these lines and insure that each new country receives their share of that bureau, service, or organization's resources. Each country would be obligated to continue Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid as it exists at the time of division for the first three years after division. Why do all this? What would be the purpose? Good question! That leads us to...Why?.
		- No changes to Constitution for 5 years. - No changes to free travel and citizenship for 10 years. - No changes to Social Security/Medicare for 3 years. - Assets and liabilities allocated according to population. - Congressmen and women go with their states. - New Supreme Court appointed in each country. - New Congress can begin making laws right away. - People can decide which country they want to live in. - All the idiots already live in the other country, so you're probably good to go.