I read a recent article on the goals of some Californians to secede from the Union with some interest but more pity.

Apparently, these citizens not only have no understanding that the Electoral College prevents about five cities from running roughshod over the rest of the country, but also have no historical knowledge of the ramifications of the Civil War.

That tragic clash between the north and south not only ended slavery but established that the union is indivisible, something noted in the pledge of allegiance.

Perhaps some protesters are not very familiar with “… One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

When the confederacy decided to leave the union, the federal government did not wish them bon voyage. It launched a full scale war; and upon winning the war, the principle that the union could not be dissolved was enshrined.

As one of the states with the most aversion to guns and the strictest gun and ammunition control laws, California could not be in a worse position to fight the full force of the United States military should they somehow succeed in the quixotic quest to start a second civil war.

Those wishing to secede will have discovered too late that the purpose of the second amendment was to be able to resist a government which had become oppressive to them; it was never about shooting squirrels and deer.

Therefore, my suggestion is to understand that the USA is a republic not a democracy, a republic with an electoral process designed to prevent the tyranny of a simple majority over a minority.

So, any citizens melting down over having the election go another way than their preference need to simply get over it as and accept the process that has served us for 240 years.

As Americans we are a nation of laws, and every four years we get another go at getting our candidate elected.

Meredith Lahmann lives in Lakeport, Calif.