paul rothstein? guest: there's a point to that. be careful secessionists, you may get what you want. and that might be bad for you. the hurricane example. that is one. if it did happen, there would have to be, and there would be agreement between the new country and the united states that might provide for economic aid in situations like that. it would be enacted state interest to keep that country friendly to prevent foreign invasions and things like that. they had that trouble in england with ireland. host: many cite the declaration of independence and their reasoning or in their process for declaring that they want to secede from the united states. how does that work? guest: the declaration of independence was a secession from england. so they say, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. he said that it showed that there was a union of these states, strong in the salvable union that they all get together to sign a declaration of independents and the united states eventually, the artic

host: we're talking with paul rothstein of georgetown university. our topic, petitions to secede filed in every state of the union. one of those is texas. caller: good morning, everybody. rules and regulations is killing this country. they all issue forth from the corporation known as washington, d.c. nobody wants to secede from the united states. they want to secede from washington and wall street. they have run up these bills. we have not. host: did you sign the petition? caller: i did not. do i want to ask obama, daddy, can meet secede? guest: i think that is what we are seeing. the secession movement is not a secession movement as pushing washington about. that can be done in the ballot box. a lot of people are dissatisfied. try again. host: ken calling from florida. he signed the petition. caller: i believe in secession. i think the best thing you could do is repeal the 17th amendment and give the rights back to the states, where it belongs. host: can you turn down your television? do you honestly believe that florida will one day secede from t

we are joined by a the georgetown law professor paul rothstein.ll be taking your calls, e- mail, and tweets beginning at 7:00 a.m. eastern. >> the constitution gives us our identity. the constitution gives us our identity, our self-esteem, defines our purpose, defines our mission, defines who we are as the people. we come from many ethnicities, nationalities, religions. and yet we are bound together as one people because of our allegiance and our respect and our reverence for the constitution, and this is the link, the thai, the bond -- the tie, the bond to our history and our heritage that is almost unique in the world. e that we have to the constitution that defines us gives us stability and the purpose and mission to our people. and it is the envy of the rest of the world. >> tonight, watch supreme court justice anthony kennedy talking about protecting and preserving the constitution from the heritage foundation. see that at 8:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span. coming up next, a professional golfer arnold palmer received the congressional gold med