Would the Midwest be better off as its own nation? (fit in, home)

[czb2004]

I know its far fetched, but does anyone think that the Midwestern region of the country (the part that was once the Northwest Territory) would be better off if it was its own nation? Could manufacturing thrive there as it once did if it had a government more focused on its interests? D.C. is one of the wealthiest metros in the country and it has thrived by using tax payers money while cities like Detroit have struggled. Would it benefit the region to bring the tax payers money back home to a Midwestern national capital? What I mean by the Midwest is the Great Lakes, manufacturing states (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota). It could possibly avoid Washington's wars and focus on quality of life issues like education and health care.

[Drewcifer]

I want no part of that country for Minnesota. The Twin Cities don't really fit in with a lot of the Midwest east of Chicago and we would lose our connections to places like the Northwest. Also Iowa and the Dakotas are important to our local economy. I would worry that under this scenario we would be an appendix to the rust belt, bled dry for the interests of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

Minnesconsin as an independent country might be doable.

[sandlapper]

It's funny the Twin Cities really do seem like the origins of California and the west coast. It's unlike the majority of eastern mid-west cities. Very laid back vibe here. I like it.

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

The Midwest might survive but the other country would die without our agriculture.

[chikid]

I think a problem lies as well as the Great Lakes states are quite different from the rest of the Midwest states. I feel as if the Great Lakes states would fair better with the East Coast or my personal preference Canada.

[LexusNexus]

I think these Great Lakes states should have their own region name, separate from the rest of the states currently considered the "Midwest." Still included with this country absolutely. These states are vital to the progression of this country.

Better than Conservative states hit the road and form a separate nation.

[Wonderful Jellal]

No, that would be shameful.I'm agree about Detroit and other struggling cities, DC isn't focused on them, they need help.
But these cities/states problems are their own faults...Detroit were entirely focused on the auto industry, an economy must be diverse...Houston understood that 30 years ago, look at it now : strong growth, very dynamic economy...Or look at Indiana, this state is back on track now, a bright future ahead.

[HilbornNH]

I think all the states would be better off if we got rid of this federalist mentality that has bled this country dry for centuries. Give the power and majority of the decision/law making back to the states, and use the federal gov't only as a means of protecting the interests of the people as a whole. Too much of tax-payer money is spent, "lost", or mis-appropriated by political/corporate goons that supposedly have our best interests in mind.......and look at where it's gotten us.
The feds need less power, and less of our money; give it back to the states, and heck, why don't we keep some of it?

[northstar22]

Minnesota is not a Great Lakes/Rustbelt state. Especially not western Minnesota, which is basically an extension of the Dakotas. I'd rather see MN join Canada.

[GunnerTHB]

If this happened I'd only have to move 45 mins away to be in Kentucky so go for it