Huh? How would being a puppet to the national government, as Hong Kong is to the Chicoms, be any better an outcome than what we already have?
"Legally the feds don't have a case..."
Since when has that stopped national government thugs from doing anything?
"...the biggest stick the Feds have is money as leverage however a free stae would be a propsperous one and that would offset the advantage the Feds holds in that instance."
Okay, so we're back to my original point. The government couldn't use purse strings to keep the free state "in line", so how would they do it (surely you don't think DC would just smile and wave as the free state thumbed it's nose, do you)? Being as the citizens of a free state wouldn't be inclined in the first place to obey and submit to Washington decrees (and if they're not, what's the purpose of declaring a "free" state anyway?), they'd blow off any "federal" court decision favoring DC. So the military would roll in and occupy the free state and it'd be Reconstruction all over again, without a shot being fired. Nothing would have been accomplished except to reaffirm the national government's iron grip over the 50 states.
"Secession talk would turn off far too many would be supporters."
I disagree completely. Anyone who has fully thought over such matters understands secession would be a distinct possibility, and frankly I'd be worried about the Pollyannas who didn't realize it.
So, to sum it up, I like the theory, but if the folks organizing the FSP aren't going to consider all possible outcomes, they're setting themselves up for failure right from the start. Thanks, but I'll sit this one out.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
The Feds have been so successful at usurping power because I do not believe they have been sufficiently resisted or challenged in the legisatures or courts over the years. The direct election of senators hurt the states too but I believe having senators with a mindset of loyalty to a Free State would at least help matters. How would the Feds react overall? Your vision of military intervention theoretically is possible and I couldn't rule out a WACO like scenario at some future point given the mind set of liberals and bureaucrats but pulling a WACO on an entire state or even a simple military occupation would be politically suicidal even in our degenerate political system. Anything is a possibility in this world but I wouldn't let it worry me. That is an extreme case scenario as we are not yet the old USSR.
Regarding the secession issue I think Walter Williams had a point when he wrote of a valid case for secession but I still do not think it viable. Correct and viable being two completely different things. I believe the South had legal right to secede and today even conservatives who might agree with the right can't imagine the United States not being the 50 Unites States and the idea of southern success back then makes them cringe. The sense of patriotism to the country is greater than loyalty to ideals. The "Civil War" also set the legal precedent on this subject which today holds strong. The only chance of a succecful secession I could invision would be in an apocaliptic economic and political collapse and we have to start from scratch anyway so the point is mute. From what I have read I think the folks behind the FSP have given much thought to the matter and I agree with their approach. Why would you sit out a chance for success when staying behind and doing nothing guarentees failure?