After President Obama was re-elected, a small number of states drafted petitions requesting their release from the United States, signaling just how stupid some Americans are. The White House promises to respond to all secession petitions that illicit over 25,000 signatures. While the White House promises to humor the petitions, they did not promise to grant the request, and it has denied secession to eight states.

Texas had the most signatures with over 125,000, and it was followed by South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. White House director of public engagement Jon Carson says salty response to President Obama’s re-election just highlights the various differences in politics across the country:

In a nation of 300 million people—each with their own set of deeply-held beliefs—democracy can be noisy and controversial. And that’s a good thing. Free and open debate is what makes this country work, and many people around the world risk their lives every day for the liberties we often take for granted.

The right decision was made. To each of the eight states wishing to be granted freedom, all we can say is “Sorry.” We aren’t really sorry though, if you couldn’t tell.