[tom8517]

Texas has the size and economic diversity to allow it to make a go of it on their own. Whether a majority of Texans would ever choose that option is doubtful at best. If for no other reason than an independent Texas would have to assume responsibility for their own border security. This is a huge expense now covered by Federal dollars.

And given the Tweeter in Chiefs penchant for petty vindictiveness the retaliation for actually seceding could be painful.

And last, Texas was an independent republic for a brief time, they chose to join the union. Of course they left again some years later with the rest of the south, but that's another topic entirely.