Let's pretend it's happened. The state of Louisiana successfully seceded from the United States of America, but what's next?

Dr. David Hoaas, Professor of Economics in the Frost School of Business at Centenary College says we'd need to get organized.

But what becomes of Barksdale Air Force Base and other federal agencies? Trey Gibson, Instructor of Communication at LSU-Shreveport says we could find ourselves dealing with several challenges.

Gibson says that without the backing of the united states government, Louisiana would have to learn to stand on its own.

Leaving the union may help Louisiana avoid the looming fiscal cliff, but could put us on the path towards a fiscal gorge.

Money isn't the only concern of a newly seceded area; we all remember Hurricanes Katrina and Isaac. The Federal Emergency Management Agency spent more than $100 billion dollars on Katrina clean-up alone. In an area prone to hurricanes, what would happen to FEMA assistance after a secession?

Dr. Hoaas says that if Louisiana left the union, it probably wouldn't fare too well.

Currently, residents in 49 states have joined the petition.