If we could buy 1000 acres or more, who would join us?

[Deborah K]

I wrote a thread the other day asking for your top 10 states in which to live: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?421667-Please-rank-the-top-10-states-in-which-to-live

I did it because Mark and I have pretty much decided we can't live in Cali anymore, so we're going to move as many of our family members as want to leave, to another state. Our efforts here have run their course, Cali is pretty much a police state now.

We've been invited to live in a 'free zone' of other like-minded Americans, but we really don't like the state, so we're not altogether sure if we want to go.

I'm throwing this idea out here just to get opinions on people banding together geographically and becoming self-reliant. When I mentioned it in another thread, I got this response:

Deb,

The worse case scenario for government is for those 10M people to scatter, stop using a digital signal and change known patterns..

The best case scenario for government is for these folks to clump up in nice neat little bunches..

To which I replied:

We scatter, we're screwed. But I do agree at some point we need to stop using digital signals and change our patterns. Tod, there are already free zones being set up. I know of one. They can be done 'under the radar'.

My reasoning is this: When, not if, the economic collapse is in full swing, I contend that the first victims will be those living off the dole, in densely populated areas. The gov't, in all its forms, will be preoccupied dealing with civil unrest, while those of us who have settled in unpopulated areas and are self-sustaining (for the most part), will be the last to be bothered with. We will NOT be in their cross-hairs.

Are they watching our types? Hell YES they are! I know this first hand. I have 3 extremely reliable contacts, and I know the liberty movement is on the watch list. HOWEVER, they are watching to see if we intend to organize a violent uprising or insurrection - and we're definitely not. We do have activists in our movement who practice civil disobedience to help bring awareness to the cause of liberty, but we are overwhelmingly in favor of NAP.

I believe their goal is to slowly boil the frog, slowly take over everything and turn us all into employees of the gov't (serfs). Although, they will continue to attempt to present the façade of free enterprise, and individual freedom. I don't think tptb really want an all out war with American citizenry, they'd rather do this incrementally (certain psychopathic police forces notwithstanding). However, they are gearing up for civil unrest on a massive scale because of the inevitable economic collapse.

So, it is with this analogy, that I believe our kind will have a better chance at survival, if we band together while we still can. Their focus will not be on those who are quietly living out their lives and not requiring help from them. Not for a long while, anyway. If we are scattered, as we are now, and martial law goes into effect your area, you will be alone, and not with your liberty family.

Thoughts?

 

[torchbearer]

i'd consider it. i've been planning to go back to a type of family 'compound' within the next year or two. though i'm not sure how much land would be available for others to purchase.

 

[Origanalist]

Their focus will not be on those who are quietly living out their lives and not requiring help from them.

It seems to me those are the people they are focusing on right now.

 

[Deborah K]

It seems to me those are the people they are focusing on right now.

Can you site some examples so we can discuss them? I don't think the Branch Davidians qualify as an example of what I'm talking about.

 

[tod evans]

Deb,

I remain hesitant to gather too large of a group in any one area.

"Communities" of less than 100 families scattered hither and yon will not likely draw unwanted attention.

I do not trust government the entity and I trust the individuals who comprise the entity even less.

I can't in good conscience put my child in a situation I don't feel tenable.

If everything goes south I feel much better deep in the mountains with the 4-legged wildlife. (Hell I feel better here now)

Good on you guys for making plans!

And best of luck with those plans!

 

[Carlybee]

I've thought about this too. I would consider it depending on where and how much it would cost and as long as each person is accountable for himself...ie, no dictators.
I only say that because there are actually quite a few communes still around where they end up not lasting for one reason or another or they try to have some sort of common goal that everyone is not on board with.

 

[luctor-et-emergo]

1000 acres, how many people do you plan on housing there ?
It's not enough for any significant number of people, if you want to grow your own food that is. Maybe if you become vegetarian though.. (if you ever need someone to do the math on food production though.)

Apart from that I like the idea. If something like this was started in Europe around where I currently live I'd be inclined to move there since I'm not really interested in society as it is and for the most part I could care less about luxury, but stay away from my internet !

So I'll vote neutral on this one.

PS: I'd personally settle for 10 acres, but I'd have a lot of excess food to share with my neighbors, I'm not a socialist though so I'll trade. Guess that makes me the village farmer...

 

[Origanalist]

Can you site some examples so we can discuss them? I don't think the Branch Davidians qualify as an example of what I'm talking about.

Possibly not, but how hard would it be to paint such a community as "extremists" and "anti- government cultists"? My point is the government at all levels seems to be (is) doing everything in it's power to make as many people as possible dependent on them. From the feds advertising food stamps to Bloomberg's denying charities giving bagels to the homeless, self-reliance doesn't seem too popular with the ruling class. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.

That being said, I would join such a venture if I am at all able to.

 

[Deborah K]

Deb,

I remain hesitant to gather too large of a group in any one area.

"Communities" of less than 100 families scattered hither and yon will not likely draw unwanted attention.

I do not trust government the entity and I trust the individuals who comprise the entity even less.

I can't in good conscience put my child in a situation I don't feel tenable.

If everything goes south I feel much better deep in the mountains with the 4-legged wildlife. (Hell I feel better here now)

Good on you guys for making plans!

And best of luck with those plans!

I completely respect your stance. Moving somewhere remote with just our families and close friends remains an option.

 

[Deborah K]

1000 acres, how many people do you plan on housing there ?
It's not enough for any significant number of people, if you want to grow your own food that is. Maybe if you become vegetarian though.. (if you ever need someone to do the math on food production though.)

Apart from that I like the idea. If something like this was started in Europe around where I currently live I'd be inclined to move there since I'm not really interested in society as it is and for the most part I could care less about luxury, but stay away from my internet !

So I'll vote neutral on this one.

PS: I'd personally settle for 10 acres, but I'd have a lot of excess food to share with my neighbors, I'm not a socialist though so I'll trade. Guess that makes me the village farmer...

It's the idea, the concept that we're trying to work out, at this point. I'm trying to get people I care about to start thinking about their options.

 

[mczerone]

(1) Centralization is not required.

Yes, the transition to a free society needs local groups that are creating functional agoras, but this isn't the only requirement. The movement also needs a wide dispersal of believers who are integrated with their local society. So don't feel bad if you can't pull off the whole "liberty compound" idea. Just live as best as you can, and stay supportive of movements that you like.

(2) If you're into the whole "move with like minded people" thing, why start with something new?

The Free State Project in NH already has people moving and making a difference. Join them. Or the Blue Ridge Liberty Project. Or Galt's Gulch Chile. Or the Peaceful Streets Project in Austin, TX. Starting another project just dilutes the draw of these, and your competing for adherents against people that already had other options.

(3) Digital ties are stronger than ever.

I'd say it's more efficient to just move to any old area that is attractive to you and make your ties to other Liberty Lovers via Facebook, email, and meetup groups.

(4) Don't limit yourself to the US.

 

[angelatc]

I would be willing to make plans. But the husband's job is here, and I'm not willing to uproot my son again. So we are staying here for at least 4 years.

 

[brandon]

I'd rather be dead than live in a compound

 

[Czolgosz]

I'll put in my $.02.

I agree w/ Tod's premise that if we congregate in one area, *and the government is aggressively clamping down*, it will be more difficult to go guerrilla.

If your premise were to restart America v2.0 (and defend it) then consolidating is the only way.

However, it sounds like you simply want to get away from this dump. If you and some other folks populate something out of the way, you likely won't get bothered until the revolution occurs.

 

[TheTexan]

You are only as free as your neighbors allow you to be. So if you surround yourself with freedom loving neighbors, and stay under radar, You can nullify just about ... anything.

I would also agree do not limit yourself to the US

 

[oyarde]

I'd rather be dead than live in a compound

I like my quaint little compound in the woods, easily defensible

 

[oyarde]

I've thought about this too. I would consider it depending on where and how much it would cost and as long as each person is accountable for himself...ie, no dictators.
I only say that because there are actually quite a few communes still around where they end up not lasting for one reason or another or they try to have some sort of common goal that everyone is not on board with.

I have convinced my family that I am the most Benevolant Dictator, so its all good here

 

[Deborah K]

You are only as free as your neighbors allow you to be. So if you surround yourself with freedom loving neighbors, and stay under radar, You can nullify just about ... anything.

This was always our plan. No longer doable.

 

[TaftFan]

I can't move but I can tell you there is a HUGE network of preppers/liberty minded people living in the rural Carolina's.

This guy would help you out if you wanted to locate there:
http://www.youtube.com/user/southernprepper1/videos
[email protected]

These guys live there too:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sootch00/videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/engineer775/videos

EDIT-There are some good politicians in the Carolinas as well. Sanford, Davis, Bright, Jones, Bradley...

EDITX2-Somebody earlier brought up this: http://www.blueridgelibertyproject.com/

 

[donnay]

You should check out Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation. Great information in there.

Putting all our eggs in one basket makes for easy targets, IMHO. I would prefer networking like a lot of people did back in the 90's, before internet and cell phones.

We need to push for more Sovereign States Status using the 10th amendment against federal encroachment.