In the 1980s, I read in a historical magazine where the Confederacy’s economy was either ranked fourth or fifth in the world. This was achieved even though the Southern states were fighting a war to gain its independence and trying to build a government with all its various departments. This would have been a difficult task even under peaceful conditions but those states achieved it in spite of those adversities.

Had our military been better equipped, we would have probably won first place in that war instead of second place. I was going to add that we could have also used more men in uniform, but I’m not so sure that would really have been needed with better equipment.

Don’t let anyone tell you that today’s talk by red states aboutÊseceding from the blue states does not send shivers down the backs in those in the blue states and Washington. Where would those who receive welfare checks in theÊblue states get their money from then? Those not truly disabled in the red states would go to work or else.

So if, if and if those red states ever truly decided to secede from the Union, don’t let anyone shame and belittle you into thinking those states could not make it on their own because theyÊalready have proven they can.

It’s just a matter of getting the blue states to learn to live without our money and natural resources and not start a war over it by invading us.

Billy E. Price
Ashville