Can Texas secede from the Union?

America's second most populated and second largest state is always the first to remind you that it was once an independent nation, the Republic of Texas.

Unlike California's three-week, almost accidental flirt with independence and hideous flag, the Republic of Texas was a real country with its own presidents and laws and currency,

for a decade from 1836 until 1846

when it joined the Union to become the 28th state, thankfully evening out the number of stars.

This happy marriage led pretty much immediately to the Mexican-American War over the question of how big Texas was.

America as the victor got to decide the answer. Very big.

While Texas gave up its complete independence to join the union, it didn't give up its

independent streak and filed for divorce, along with several other states, a scant 15 years later.

This domestic dispute was settled not with flowers, but with force, something that many are

still grumbling about today. But history aside, in modern times, could Texas still be a real country?

In other words, could Texas succeed if it succeeds?

In terms of population in independent Texas would be the world's 46th largest country with 26 million citizens.

And those citizens would make Texas the 13th largest economy. So the new Texas Republic would be comparable to Australia, except in the size department.

But what about the federal money that goes to Texas? Those interstate highways don't build themselves, you know.

For a majority of states, independence would be a financial problem.

Mississippi, for example, gets $2 from Washington for every one it sends in taxes.

So an independent Magnolia Republic would be bankrupt almost instantly.

But not Texas, which gives more money to the federal government in taxes than it gets back.

There's no reason why an independent Texas couldn't keep those highways paved and give its citizens a small happy Texapendence Day tax cut.

So from a financial

perspective the new Texas Republic gets a check. Now the question is can Texas

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