Yale libertarian plans drastic 'Free State Project'

Yale Daily News ^ | Wednesday, October 23, 2002 | EMILY ANTHES

[Roscoe]

Frustrated by the Libertarian Party's failure to make progress nationally, Jason Sorens GRD '04 decided the best course of action would be to take over Wyoming. Or maybe Alaska.

The plan, which Sorens calls "The Free State Project," is ambitious. It calls for moving 20,000 people -- including the one additional Yalie who has signed on so far -- over the next nine years to a sparsely populated state where they would take to the ballot boxes in order to repeal most drug and gun laws, eliminate the income tax, and privatize most government-run industries.

So in July 2001, he posted an essay on the project on the Internet. Within a few days, he had over 200 e-mails from people who were interested.

"The response was positively overwhelming," he said.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Let's not forget that Vermont is still the only state in the nation which does not interfere with citizens' 2nd Amendment rights.

[valkyrieanne]

It's an interesting idea. We focus way too much on the fedral government, and not enough on the states.

In a sparsely populated state, even 20,000 dedicated people can make a difference in state government. State laws can be changed far more easily than federal laws. Maybe Atlas is going to shrug, after all.

[freeeee]

Federal Laws, whether we like it, or not, supercede states'

You're right about the ultimate fate of the free state project, if it is successful. The fed does not honor the Constitution, especially the 9th and 10th Amendments. The free state project will only last if it is done outside the US.

However this "whether we like it or not" BS is dishonest.

I can't think of a single elected Republican aside from Ron Paul that isn't either actively guilty or at least complicit in undermining state's rights.

If the free state project is crushed by the feds (and it will be) Democrats most certainly will not be the only ones to blame. The people YOU vote for will gladly take part, and you won't complain one bit. In fact, a good deal of the Republicans here and elsewhere will enthusiastically support the federal destruction of the free state project.

[Moby Grape]

So he got 200 supportive emails....about the national Libertarian membership.

[Roscoe]

The free state project will only last if it is done outside the US.

Like Somalia.

[Roscoe]

So he got 200 supportive emails

Chain letters and spam?

[freeeee]

No Roscoe. The Somalians, like you, don't beleive in refraining from intitiation of force.

Their violent reaction would be identical to yours. The only difference being they're honest enough to not pretend otherwise.

[RabidBartender]

"Perhaps he should start with something less ambitious, like buying a Denny's."

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

Unfortunately, not many people today act on their principles, which is why this guy will not get 20,000 libertarians to move anywhere.

[tpaine]

You delight in making the 'neener neener' juvenile comment, don't you?

Why would a project like this threaten you? - Try to make a rational point on the issue.

[tpaine]

Why would a project like this threaten you? - Try to make a rational point on the issue.

[tpaine]

Why would a project like this threaten you? - Try to make a rational point on the issue.

[BlueLancer]

My understanding was, though, that, after the Civil War, when Texas was "re-admitted" to the Union, that voided the earlier entry agreement and no such provision was made for splitting up the state into other parcels.

[Roscoe]

The Somalians, like you, don't beleive in refraining from intitiation of force.

You mean they aren't all just responding to some earlier "initiation of force" in an endless "libertarian" cycle?

Sorta like a "Galt's Gulch" on steroids.

[BlueLancer]

"In a sparsely populated state, even 20,000 dedicated people can make a difference in state government."

Yes, but I find it hard to believe that you could 20,000 Libertarians to agree on anything in a large enough number to have an impact. I can just see it now: the race for governor of Montana ... 20,000 (plus) different parties sponsoring 20,000 (plus) different candidates.

[BlueLancer]

Looney Lib PING ....

[Dead Corpse]

Now you are just asking too much of them. Do try to remember that the LP-bashers here have all the intellectual honesty of Clinton combined with the maturity level of a three year old.

They can't be bothered with logically arguing why 20k people, utilizing the ballot system and free-market forces, can't move into a State and try to reverse the decline we have been on. After all, they are absolutely SURE that freedom and capitalism are "bad things" that we just don't need in todays society.

[Roscoe]

Unfortunately, not many people today act on their principles, which is why this guy will not get 20,000 libertarians to move anywhere.

And 20,000 web page designers might have trouble raising crops.

[Roscoe]

why 20k people, utilizing the ballot system and free-market forces, can't move into a State

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

[Dead Corpse]

I thought we had agreed we were not going to post to each other anymore.

Or do the words "First Warning" not ring a bell?

Is there somthing specific you would care to debate about, or are you having too much fun with your childish insults to do so?

[freeeee]

Why would a project like this threaten you?

Ah, the heart of the issue. Although these "conservatives" claim to be for decentralization of power, they only follow through when it helps their cause.

If the design of the republic was honored, and we truly had 50 laboratories of democracy, much of what they stand for would be threatened. A successful libertarian state would undermine much of their chicken little "the sky is falling" claims. Most importantly, it would set example and precedent for other states.

This deeply threatens their designs for Empire. Imagine a country where they couldn't < gasp > control other people! These people are control hungry power junkies. Even the worst junkies addiction pales in comparison to their hopeless addiction to power.

Much, if not all of their goals would be undermined by a small federal government. The 10th Amendment poses more of a threat to them than any of our foreign enemies. They will fight state's rights tooth and nail. And if necessary, they'll send another Sherman to burn it to the ground.