California, like anywhere else on Earth, should have the right to secede whether the United States likes it or not. The preferences of the other 49 states and Washington DC is not relevant. That was the position of the United States government on Yugoslavia and other places around the world but not on Ukraine. However, morality and the law as I understand it are that any people should have the right to leave, just as explained in the initial words of the US Declaration of Independence.

The United States is a rogue state violating international law in many, many ways that California wouldn't have to if it seceded and became a nation.

California as a nation or part of a larger West Coast nation, should other states join with California, would be a good influence on the rest of the United States.

Many militarists would like to see California's votes vanish from the national electoral system, which would then become more Republican.

If we think that we can somehow gain control of the US government, bring it under popular, enlightened progressive control, preserve a habitable climate, and rein in the dangers of nuclear and other warfare, then we should. However, if we think it's more likely that California can achieve those goals by secession, then we should go down that path. There's no question. It's an absolute moral imperative.

I think the election of Donald Trump, if you want to call it an election, was unimaginable to most people, which is part of how it happened.

The Pentagon is supposed to be under civilian control and it ought to be up to the people of the United States, not the profiteers.