Live Free or Die: The Free State Project

For many libertarians, living in the United States during these times can be quite distressing.  The cyclical process of Republicans restricting social liberties, then being thrown out of office only to have the Democrat preside over restrictive economic policies, continues at a rapid pace.  The only champion of liberty in the presidential debates, Ron Paul, found his pleas for common sense met with laughter and rolled eyes.  Sometimes it seems as if there's no escape -- nowhere to exhale a long-awaited sigh of relief.  If only that utopian libertarian society we've all pondered in our minds actually existed.  I'd name it Libertaria(hmm...maybe a new blog title for if I ever go .com).  A place where the invisible hand reigns supreme and people are more feared by their governments than they of their governments.  A place where taxes are low, utility is high, and people are guaranteed life, liberty, and property.  Yes, if only such a place existed.  

Fortunately, libertarians who feel this way are not alone.  There are others, and they're trying to make that dream come true.  They understand the principle of consolidation, which is a must for a third party to be successful in our system of government.  They have said, "enough," and instead of peering around the corner to see if anyone heard them say it, they did something about it.  Such are the founders and members of the Free State Project.

Perhaps you've heard of it, as many libertarians have.  Perhaps you've had your reservations.  Or maybe you've never heard of the FSP.  In either case, allow me to impose upon you a little edification.  To start, the goal of the Free State Project is to entice 20,000 liberty-minded (i.e. libertarians) to move to New Hampshire.  Once there, these noble pioneers of liberty will set out to create a Free State, the likes of which has not been seen in this country for many, many years.  So far, 622 people have made the move.  A small number, indeed; but before you dismiss the Free State Project as a quixotic pipe dream, consider the following:  over 8,800 people have all ready pledged to migrate to the Granite State.  Brett Powell, FSP Director of Recruiting, graciously corresponded with me and answered my questions regarding this movement.  He asserted his belief in a "'bandwagon' or 'critical mass' theory where once we have several thousand activists here and further prove the concept through favorable political changes, the remaining several thousand signers will be achieved very rapidly thereafter," adding that "In many ways it’s like a new product or technology that has to be successfully tested and endorsed by a relatively small group of early adopters before it’s embraced by the mainstream."  

A hesitation many people have with pledging is that they are not sure if they will be able to fulfill their commitment.  As Mr. Powell explains, however, "the signers are in no way obligated to move until we have 20,000 Statements of Intent and even then they have a maximum of 5 years to fulfill their commitment."  As I do not suspect they will reach their goal this year or the year after, a signer is looking at probably having to move no earlier than eight years from now.    

I know what you're thinking.  I thought the same thing myself at first. Why New Hampshire?  It's cold.  I mean, really cold.  Mr. Powell told me that he would love living in New Hampshire whether or not the FSP failed or even existed.  He elaborates:

 "It’s absolutely gorgeous here – particularly during the Fall – and we have all the outdoor recreational activities you can think of from skiing, mountain climbing, fishing, etc. New Hampshire is probably the most geographically diverse state in the country. If you want easy access to a major metropolitan area, you can live in a border city like Nashua and be in Boston in ~30 minutes. If you desire a more rural setting or if you want to live close to the ocean or further north in the Great White Mountains, we have that too."

The benefit of a free state should outweigh the cost of having to endure the cold five months out of the year for most.  Freedom in New Hampshire comes from all areas one would desire: Economical and fiscal policy included.  For example, there is no state income tax nor is there a state sales tax in New Hampshire.  For the business inclined, there is nowhere in the United States wherein it is easier to start a business.  Tax laws are very business-friendly, as well.  As one would expect from the freest state in the Union, New Hampshire "generally [has] lower unemployment, lower crime rates, less pollution, and an overall better quality of life relative to almost every over state in America," claims Powell.  Ever feel as though you're outcasted for your libertarian beliefs, or that you would like more liberty-minded friends?  "Although clearly politics and philosophy is[sic] rarely too far from our thoughts, we’re also very good friends, a big libertarian family or community in a sense, that genuinely cares about its members," Powell explains.  Except this family doesn't nag you about never visiting or pinch your cheeks (the facial ones, at least) and marvel at how much you've grown.  An interesting side note:  New Hampshire's Constitution is the only in the history of the world to recognize its citizens' right to rebellion.  More fun facts are available at the FSP website, which is linked above.   

Could this project actually work?  Could 20,000 lovers of liberty actually turn a relatively free state into a positively free state?  Further, could libertarianism have a major impact in national politics?  Powell prefers to think local before entertaining ideas of a federal presence.  New Hampshire is the site of the first presidential primary, however, and libertarians could definitely have an early impact on the presidential race.  Oh, and if you or someone you know is interested in running for office as a Libertarian, there is simply no better place than New Hampshire.  Because the state has a 400 member legislature and a low population, there are very small districts that make a campaign inexpensive and more open to third parties.  One could also run as one of the two majors, while still advancing libertarian ideals -- Ron Paul style!  As Powell notes, libertarians are among the most heavily active political supporters, and this makes campaigning that much easier.  In fact, Free Staters (or Porcupines, a reference to the project's mascot) are all ready making an impact, and there are all ready several Libertarians in the state legislature.  

For libertarians, this proves to be the closest thing to that libertarian utopia in their dreams.  The frustration of screaming the truth while nobody listens need not be tolerated any longer.  Few and far between are libertarians considered for, much less elected to office.  Powell reiterated the phrase, "Why fight a losing battle?"  Indeed, why continue to waste your efforts fighting for liberty when the trend is exactly the opposite.  In New Hampshire, the Free State, a libertarian can fight for liberty standing side-by-side with more than twenty-thousand others, and win.  Liberty can still win, and it will.  It will win in the state that sports the motto: Live Free or Die.