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?
Good question, and I guess all I can say in response is to repeat that I don't like the idea of signing on with a group that refuses to realize how badly their plan could turn out. You have admitted that my (granted) nightmare scenario is a possibility, if even an small one. But the folks I corresponded with at the FSP seemed to not even want to comprehend the possibility that the worst case scenario could come to pass. I'm perfectly willing to take a leap of faith, but let's just say I want it to be a very hashed out leap of faith.
As far as the status quo being guaranteed failure, I completely agree with you. But I don't think the status quo is going to continue much longer before the whole nation is in a state of, well, let's call it flux. I think we've already flown over the edge of the cliff, we just don't know it yet. The job of putting together a free state will be much easier once we hit the bottom of the gorge.
Scouts out! Cavalry Ho!