A Very American Civil War of today

[leadfool]

Bump

[Col. Aubrey Bagshot]

Looking at it from 'outside', i would agree with inso: MONEY.
America was built on the principle of hard work & wealth, with the hard work part being optional for some people...

Looking at the fury and hatred caused by a pan-american public health program from over here, it only seemed to be about one thing, money.
Not individual lives, healthcare or social welfare...

So you could use whatever triggers, or factions, corporate wars or whatever, but the root cause would always stay the same....

It was in 1861, and im sure it would be the same today, the politics may have moved on (?), and physical slavery has just become financial and social slavery (?)

All you are missing is a new-age Lincon....
Perhaps that is the trigger point in history you are missing...

[Inso]

Alternatively, the NRA rise up against the government as a result of the up-swell of anti-gun lobbying after yet another mass shooting at a school (especially poignant with the recent tragedy at a primary school... bless them all ). The anti NRA retaliate with force (ironically with the very weapons they seek to restrict).

This is entirely plausible when there are major players who say things like "you will prise me rifle from my cold, dead hands" (or words to that effect).

[Dr. The Viking]

Isn't there already civil war in the US!?

I think this will fast become a very politically loaded subject matter.

[Weird WWII]

I'd say Socialist/Progressive vs. Traditional America.  Large welfare states (ie CA) vs. retaliative self-sufficient states (ie TX) bustin' heads on the cash moving from one state's coffers to other states who can't get their shit together via the centralized Fed.  American hard work and self-sufficient proponents vs. the gimme, gimme, Nanny State mobs.

But that's just a simple Libertarian Texan's view of what I'd throw down for,
Brian

[dijit]

Bump

Seems a bit funny 'bumping' a thread thats over a year and half old only to say 'bump'.

But to make sure I don't fall foul of the same sin - Red vs Blue states makes perfect sense, but then again from a European perspective they're both  to the right of the political spectrum, so it ends up being rightwing or further rightwing, which isn't much of a choice to get up in arms about, until there ends up being so real socialists in the US.

[Scott]

For what it's worth, here is the start of my fluff for a PA game:

"On January 25, just days after his inauguration, an explosion tears through a meeting room at Camp David, where the President was meeting with leaders of Occupy movements and Tea Party activists. Although to this day no one knows who was responsible, left and right are quick to blame the other. The next year would see civil war throughout the country, with armed gangs from both sides seeking revenge for grievances both real and imagined. Farmers hoard their crops, and refuse to take them to markets. In many places the National Guard is called out to force farmers to market, but many guardsmen turn and fight against their comrades. That winter, people in the cities, cut off from their food supplies, starve."

Then there's a bunch of stuff about nukes and zombies and natural disasters ... 

--Scott

[Warren Abox]

To wargame this, I'd go with a modified and AK-47 Republic with modern army lists.  Which is perfect, because the lighthearted approach would help to alleviate any serious political discussions.

After all, wWho says that the Civil War would be limited to just two factions?  Say the Feds over-reach and multiple blocs of states simultaneously launch Second American Revolutions.  You could easily have the wealthy United Oil States in the southwest, the People's Democratic Socialist Republic in the northeast, the Free Plains States, and the Kingdom of California led by a cult of personality figure, plus numerous religious extremist movements of all stripes, small enclaves, and even professional mercenary armies loaned out by the surviving three superpower states (Iceland, Brazil, and the Neo-Ottoman Empire.)

[Tacgnol]

and the Kingdom of California led by a cult of personality figure

I imagine Arnie being a prime candidate for this!

[WayneN]

Have a look at the Ucas in shadowrun roleplay game maybe use some of the ideas presented their for the states and styles of the different factions.to help(drop the magic)

[Conquistador]

Isn't there already civil war in the US!?

I think this will fast become a very politically loaded subject matter.

Several comments (opinions at best) have already been made that would ignite a war on another three letter forum - and quite rightly, IMO.

There simply is no way to approach this subject without controversy and provocative posting eventually popping up.  Would have been the same about England or France when they were superpower nations had there been computer forums then.

Gracias,

Glenn

who now resume ignoring the thread because there seems to be no point in engaging in "conversation" when such widely divergent viewpoints based on incompatible world views exist on such a topic

[Lysander]

Not sure the trigger exists as well.  That said, the split would likely be between the coasts and "flyover" states.

The "flyover" states (with the notable exception of Illinois-blame that on upstate BTW) generally balance their budgets and pay their debts.  Typically they have better armed citizenry.  

The coasts need the connection between NY/Boston/Washington and California...and the money between to feed their eternal (and ultimately unpayable) debt.  "Flyover" country just wants to be left alone (pretty much like they wish today)...and have ports in the South accessing the Atlantic.

The Military would likely be controlled by the coasts but populated largely by Southerners and those from "flyover" country.  Armed citizenry vs Military (largely composed of soldiers opposed to their own kindred).

Not sure where the outside money/weapons might come from.  Mexico is just a hindrance....and broke but I could see Texas taking portions of Mexico for access to the Pacific.  China - not sure they have a real interest in who wins.  My guess is that whoever is temporarily winning will find funds/resources flowing to the losing side from all over the world.

Add to that, given that the US doesn't manufacture as much these days most of the actual manufacturing is taking place in "flyover" country.

Should be interesting but I will admit I would be rooting for the "flyover" states.  

Still, should be great fun.

[manatic]

The comic DMZ (which is great, by the way) deals with the subject of a second American civil war. From the Wikipedia synopsis:

The conflict concerns two primary forces: the federal government of the United States of America and the "Free States" armies. In issue #2, it is explained that the Free States are less a geographical entity than "an idea", and that the movement began with an uprising of secessionist groups that formed a separate government in Montana before spreading across the country.

[palaeomerus]

Alternatively, the NRA rise up against the government as a result of the up-swell of anti-gun lobbying after yet another mass shooting at a school (especially poignant with the recent tragedy at a primary school... bless them all ). The anti NRA retaliate with force (ironically with the very weapons they seek to restrict).

This is entirely plausible when there are major players who say things like "you will prise me rifle from my cold, dead hands" (or words to that effect).

I don't think the NRA is anything like a paramilitary militia/rebellion nor could it easily become the foundation for one. It's mainly a lobbying group. Most of the people with guns in the US are not looking to fight anybody. They'd hide them under the floor boards and bury them in the yard and claim they were lost rather than join some  violent underground.

I think what could cause the most trouble in terms of chaos would be drug wars that got so far out of hand that the police weren't able to respond to it well, such as is happening in Mexico. (And happened in the US during prohibition times).

[commissarmoody]

Yeah the NRA is a lobby group. I don't know any one who is ready to take a bullet for them