A better Free State Project: create a new state

[nakor667]

I like the idea behind the free state project. Have a bunch of libertarian-minded individuals move into an area, and turn it into a liberty stronghold and start the revolution at a local level.

Absolutely great idea. But its not working fast enough. Plus New Hampshire is way too cold (I'm from Arizona) and with over a million people, there's huge amounts of political inertia to fight.

Why don't we just make a new state from the ground up?

Think about it, we could write our own constitution based upon the principals of liberty!

I propose that we focus on one of the territories. Specifically the Northern Marianas Islands. They have less than 90,000 people, meaning that far fewer of us need to move compared to NH. And they reportedly have the most equable temperature in the world and a large immigrant population already.

But any of the territories, aside from Puerto Rico, would work exceptionally well. If several thousand of us move into one of these regions, we can take over in no time, with less sacrifice and far more gain.

Just think of all the fun we can have with 2 Senators and a couple of Representatives!



Thoughts?

 

[Josh_LA]

Why don't we just make a new state from the ground up?

Yeah, go ahead, good luck. What's stopping you?

 

[Mortikhi]

[deleted]

 

[cska80]

IMO, a free state project in Rhode Island would be much easier. We have some of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country and the state is so freakin' small. Much smaller place to have influence if you can get enough people here! But then again, most people are moving out!

 

[shaunish]

Yeah, but RI also has the most corrupt state and local government in the US (minus detroit).

But it would be cool, because then i wouldnt have to move.

Really though guys, the founders of the current FSP thought about all this, and they decided NH - after 2 years of heated debate. Everyone can't get what they want, you have to compromise for the movement.

Plus the people in the FSP are so cool, that once you are there you'll forget all about the weather -- you'll be too busy with your new friends.

 

[nakor667]

Yeah, but can they write their own constitution?

I'm talking about a chance to be modern day founding fathers!

 

[powerofreason]

I like having internet service and flowing water/electricity, thanks.

 

[SnappleLlama]

Go for it.

 

[shaunish]

I would definitely be down with moving to some pacific islands and setting up a self-sustainable community.

But that would take some HEAVY investment to buy the land and set up infrastructure.

There is already a similar project going on http://www.libertyisland.tk/

 

[jarofclay]

come to Montana. we are the only state still stubborn enough and delusional enough to keep Ron Paul on the ballot even when he doesn't want to be.

If that ain't liberty, well....

 

[Libertarian Ideals]

Yeah, but can they write their own constitution?

I'm talking about a chance to be modern day founding fathers!

For what it's worth, the New Hampshire Constitution Article 10 explicitly protects the Right of Revolution.

I would definitely be down with moving to some pacific islands and setting up a self-sustainable community.

But that would take some HEAVY investment to buy the land and set up infrastructure.

There is already a similar project going on http://www.libertyisland.tk/

This has been tried before and didn't work. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Minerva

come to Montana. we are the only state still stubborn enough and delusional enough to keep Ron Paul on the ballot even when he doesn't want to be.

If that ain't liberty, well....

A Constitution Party candidate for state representative won in Montana. If the Free State Project wasn't around or if I didn't know or look into it, Montana is probably where I would have liked to move to.

 

[FluxCapacitor]

Some people are planning to start new countries on floating platforms on the ocean:

http://www.seasteading.org/

 

[RoamZero]

NH, while bigger, has a lot more weight because when primary season comes along its one of the first in the pack. The only reason McCain is the nominee is because of NH,

 

[gls]

NH, while bigger, has a lot more weight because when primary season comes along its one of the first in the pack. The only reason McCain is the nominee is because of NH,

Yeah, I was living there at the time. In the three weeks leading up to the primary, McCain held a "town hall meeting" in a different location almost every single day. IIRC he didn't even bother to compete in Iowa. Of course it was all carefully orchestrated and no real issues were ever discussed, but the voters ate it up anyway. Most of the state press was also pushing hard for him, even the supposedly "conservative" papers.

That said, I still think the FSP is the best (and most practical) hope for liberty in our lifetime. IMO the main advantage is the size and accessibility of the state's legislative body. It is the most representative in the world, with one statehouse seat per ~1500 voters. Also, since it is virtually unpaid ($100/yr plus gas reimbursement), it is not a haven for professional politicians. The FSP members are making strides; I believe around 80 of them won their GOP primaries and a place on the ballot in November. If only 20 of them win, that's a large enough contingent to swing some key votes in the direction of freedom. I plan on running shortly after I move back there...all it takes is a few hundred dollars and a willingness to knock on a lot of doors, and you can be part of the solution.

 

[OferNave]

Yeah, I was living there at the time. In the three weeks leading up to the primary, McCain held a "town hall meeting" in a different location almost every single day. IIRC he didn't even bother to compete in Iowa. Of course it was all carefully orchestrated and no real issues were ever discussed, but the voters ate it up anyway. Most of the state press was also pushing hard for him, even the supposedly "conservative" papers.

That said, I still think the FSP is the best (and most practical) hope for liberty in our lifetime. IMO the main advantage is the size and accessibility of the state's legislative body. It is the most representative in the world, with one statehouse seat per ~1500 voters. Also, since it is virtually unpaid ($100/yr plus gas reimbursement), it is not a haven for professional politicians. The FSP members are making strides; I believe around 80 of them won their GOP primaries and a place on the ballot in November. If only 20 of them win, that's a large enough contingent to swing some key votes in the direction of freedom. I plan on running shortly after I move back there...all it takes is a few hundred dollars and a willingness to knock on a lot of doors, and you can be part of the solution.

Hear hear!

 

[Josh_LA]

Yeah, but can they write their own constitution?

I'm talking about a chance to be modern day founding fathers!

Good luck, have your weapons ready.

 

[Josh_LA]

I like having internet service and flowing water/electricity, thanks.

I'm with you, so many geniuses talk about being self sufficient, until about then!

 

[Richie]

There are already alternatives to the Free State Project. They aren't as active, though. The most active one is Free State Wyoming. http://www.freestatewyoming.org/

 

[idiom]

Iraq is open to new constitutions.

 

[nakor667]

One last point before I let this thread die:

If we take over a territory, and the USA looks like it is beyond saving, we can declare independence!