They still just want to be free (Free State Project)

Concord Monitor ^ | April 17, 2005 | Dan Barrick & Meg Heckman

[Solitar]

Jeffersonian Classical Liberals (before neo-liberals hijacked the term) are a rare breed. Throughout America they are so thinly scattered that chances of real substantial recoveries of Jeffersonian freedoms are next to nil. Thus liberty-hungry people are offered a chance to concentrate in one state where they may have a better chance at holding the line or even recovering liberties. Some in that movement propose to concentrate in one county or even in one remote portion of one county. Moving for more liberty is the same idea that started this nation and continued it.

[billybudd]

I think the key is concentrated political activism. These 350 Free Staters aren't exactly a voting bloc, but they can effect change by being politically active (running for office, organizing, donating money).

[NHResident]

Weelll.....let's see - since the Free Staters have moved to New Hampshire - the state dumped a Republican for a leftist Democrat as Governor, moved strongly into the Blue State camp (because of the votes in the NORTHERN part of the state - the part closest to Canada for the geographically impaired), introduced more statewide taxes and revenue transfers 'for the children', and seen a dramatic increase in the number of state officials running with dual party affiliation (e.g. RINOs running as Democrat/Republicans). Of course, it isn't the fault of the Free Staters but as a new comer the guy quoted in this story is missing the forest for the trees. His first clue should have been even remotely sympathetic treatment from the left-wing Concord Monitor!

[Max in Utah]

"Live Free Or Die; Death Is Not The Worst of Evils." --General John Stark, New Hampshire Revolutionary War hero

[MineralMan]

"FSP leaders say about 100 people have made the move so far. Add the 250 or so native project members, and about 350 Free Staters call New Hampshire home. Those who have settled here like what they see."

Wow! 350! That's going to change NH politics, fer shure.

My question: Can New Hampshire absorb that many Linux consultants?

[Solitar]

The NORTHERN part of the state - that part north and west of Berlin, voted for both Bush and Benson. Is it the old union Democrats in Berlin and Gorham that outnumber the Republicans in the FAR Northern part of the state (the part closest to Canada for the geographically impaired) ??

[TomasUSMC]

Way to dang cold.

Warmer place please.

[Dada Orwell]

I think probably Ed Naile from the Coalition of NH Taxpayers put it best: The Free Staters picked NH becuase it is the most salvageable state.

It might have been more accurate to say this is the least unsalvageable state, considering how far the whole nation has fallen. But I really do love it here, would never go back to Texas to live voluntarily...it has nowhere near the freedom.

Mainly it's just fun to actually know and do things with 70 or 80 freedom fanatics like me who are within 90 minutes drive, that is just unprecedented in my life.

[Solitar]

You want a warmer place?
How about Texas? They're aiming for just one county.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/restorelovingcounty

I'd be happy with someplace warmer than where I am now. Even Coos County would be an improvement (except in Berlin where the Democrats would outnumber Republicans like in Lake County, Colorado where I am now). Coos is about as far from Massachusetts as you can get and still be in New Hampshire.
http://forum.freestateproject.org/index.php?topic=7704.0

[Dagny&Hank]

NH Resident blames all of 100 Free Staters for why NH Republicans lost the governorship and for why NH has moved strongly into the Blue State camp. One hundred did all that in a state of over a million? What are you smoking?

Republicans are losing New Hampshire! The Free Staters may be the only organization that can save New Hampshire from becoming another Massachusetts. Again I say: the NH Republicans are losing New Hampshire to the Democrats.

NH Resident is looking for a scapegoat. One hundred Free Staters is a pretty weak excuse for the Republican failure. It looks like the FSP is the only hope to keep NH from voting for a Democrat President (and governor) next time, and the time after that, and the time after that!

You don't believe they can save New Hampshire from the Democrats? Then honest-to-liberty Republicans should move to New Hampshire to reinforce their beleaguered NH Republicans. This may be a job for the Republican Liberty Caucus. Step up to the plate! Put your feet where your mouth is! Bring your gold and guns! (Leave your moralistic theocrat ideas behind since we have enough trouble without that). Let's save this state!

[Cultural Jihad]

He has sent away a couple of attendees who show up in jeans or T-shirts. And he wants to allay any fears that libertarians are fire-breathing anarchists.

"I'm not in for rabble-rousing or protesting or burning flags," he said. "I want to channel this energy in a positive way."

Statist Big Brother alert! ;-)

[Cultural Jihad]

Thus [license]-hungry people are offered a chance to concentrate in one state where they may have a better chance at holding the line or even recovering [moral-liberal license].

It's been done already - San Francisco.

[Dagny&Hank]

I agree. I [too] think the key is concentrated political activism. That's the whole idea behind concentrating in New Hampshire. They want to save or salvage at least one state in the Northeast. Given what is happening to NH because of creep from Massachusetts, Republicans should realize they need some reinforcements and thousands of Free Staters would be a great start. Look, the Free Staters were backing Benson but were outnumbered by the new and old Democrats. Meanwhile, what were FReepers and Republicans doing to keep NH from going Blue?

The Republican Liberty Caucus should help their own cause by recruiting RLC members to move to New Hampshire too. Instead of whining about it or knocking down those who are compatriots, get together to keep New Hampshire from slipping to the dark side.

[traviskicks]

I've heard about this before, I think the plan was to move 1,000 Libertarians there. I dunno how great an idea it is, although I don't want to knock it. Recruiting more Libertarians everywhere might have been a better exercise. Montana/utah and states in that area might have been a better pick, although the small pop of new hampshire is certainly advantageous.

I wouldn't underestimate the efforts of 100 determined people to make big changes.

I just wonder if it won't get lost in the large demogrpahic changes of people fleeing the blue states, as seen in this story:
http://www.local6.com/news/4400842/detail.html

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[rasblue]

Speed Limit is still a ridiculous 65mph in New Hampshire. When I see it bumped up to 80MPH or even eliminated then you know the Free Staters are getting somewhere.

[Poser]

It's time to raise the limit on the Spaulding Turnpike from Portsmouth to Rochester. Fifty-five is ridiculous.

[Protagoras]

Anyone who would consider the word freedom and the word license to be synonymous gives away their position as a power loving authoritarian. Your post is, as usual, pathetic.

[P_A_I]

You're missing the growing trees [of a new idea] for the forest [of politics as usual].

[monday]

"Anyone who would consider the word freedom and the word license to be synonymous gives away their position as a power loving authoritarian. "

Cultural Jihad reveals his politics by his very name. Although I doubt he is blowing things up, he believes he is fighting a holy war against western culture just as Muslim fanatics do. The idea of personal freedom terrifies him just as much as it does the Muslim because he believes that without strong state control, people will behave immorally.

It is his great misfortune to have been born in the 20th century. He would almost certainly have been happier to live during the middle ages.