User blog comment:IGotsAName/Empire vs Stormcloaks... Gray & Grey Morality? Really?/@comment-1889545-20120414200402

The key annoyance I have with Stormcloak supporters is that they are doing exactly what the Thalmor want. The Thalmor want an empire and their best chance is to break up the current one and pick up the pieces. The whole active search for Talos worshippers is not for the sake of it but to increase discontent to get more provinces to attempt to secede from the Empire. Also, as the court wizard of Solitude points out, Skyrim needs food from the southern provinces most of which are Empire controlled. I don't think the Empire would be too willing to trade with Skyrim after a bloody civil war that they lost.