Attention Southern (or "South") California Libertarians: Secession Summit Coming this Fall

Three weeks ago, Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone was ticked off enough at business-as-usual politics in California that he issued a radical call to action: leading an effort among 13 southern and inland counties to break away from Sacramento's iron fist of oppression and form a new state called "South California." Since then, Stone's plan has gained the attention of pundits and politicians around the world. Last week, the plan was dealt a temporary setback when Riverside County declined to support Stone's efforts with taxpayer funds or government employees. Nevertheless, the LA Times reports today that the plan is still on.

To help gather supporters to his cause, Stone has started a website for what he calls "California Rebellion 2012." The site calls for a summit including representatives from the 13 "South California" counties (Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Fresno, Inyo, Mono, and Tulare), to be held at the Riverside Convention Center sometime in September or October. The summit's agenda will focus broadly on issues such as taxation, economic regulation, pension reform, and illegal immigration, with the goal of defining the policies characterizing the new state.

Our musings on life in "South California" versus "Old California" are here.