Has the time come for the rest of the Commonwealth to excommunicate Northern Virginia? Would it be a good idea for lawmakers in Richmond to just lop off everything north of Fredericksburg? Actually, divorce would probably be a better term than excommunicate, as I was intentionally taking liberties with that word in order to have a catchy title.
Anyway, such a move could have benefits for both sides. They couldn't be more different politically. Northern Virginia voters tend to be more libertarian on social issues and more liberal/progressive on economic issues, while favoring Democrats. Downstate voters, on the other hand, tend to be more conservative on social issues and more libertarian on economic issues, while favoring Republicans. They could part company amicably with each region removing itself from being a roadblock to the other's political agenda. I haven't studied the economics of such a breakup, but I'm sure there would be negative economic ramifications for one side or the other, or perhaps both, but they could likely be worked out with adjustments made over time.
A split wouldn't be without precedent. West Virginia broke away in 1860's due to irreconcilable differences over how to align during the Civil War, which led to West Virginia staying in the Union, while the remainder of Virginia joined the Confederacy. Since the end of that war, the states have lived side-by-side in peace, with the breakup having ultimately been beneficial to the citizens of both states.
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