Secession!

What will be the final straw that makes Atlanta realize the enemy lives in the state Capitol hallways? Maybe it came last month when state Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson, a Savannah Republican, declared it might be OK if Grady Hospital failed.

Despite transforming the state into a Southeastern power, our town is the Rodney Dangerfield of Georgia cities. We get no respect. Nor do we get much help in solving critical problems, whether it's transportation or Grady Hospital, our schools or the imminent drying up of our water supplies. You name a challenge Atlanta faces, and the state is sure to ignore it, belittle it or even to make it worse.

The division isn't really surprising: Atlanta's great experiment is in large part based on overcoming old divisions, and advancing diversity to the point where racial and ethnic differences no longer divide us. Our state leaders, meanwhile, would prefer that old times not be forgotten. When it comes to unavoidable issues, such as immigration, Georgia's elected officials are staying put in the 20th century. When it comes to voting rights, they seem bent on driving us back to the 1800s.

We've tried and we've tried to be a loyal part of Georgia. Maybe the solution, though, is to set ourselves apart. To secede – at least in spirit, if not in body. Raise the bold banner of rebellion.

Of course, the two questions are: What are our grievances? And how can we go it alone?

Creative Loafing asked a selection of local leaders – political, business and community – to offer their thoughts on a few degrees of separation. While not advocating building ramparts to keep out folks from elsewhere in Georgia, they offer innovative ideas on Atlanta being responsible for Atlanta.