November 17, 2003

The Free State Project is one of many ideas that the freedom movement has as options for actually DOING something besides bitch and moan about the current state of affairs. It isn't the answer for everyone, by any means, but it is a concrete and doable solution for a fair number of those seeking liberty in their lifetime.

I was, therefore, extremely disturbed to learn that there was a rift in the organization and that harsh words were flying around the internet over the argument. Seems that some folks simply did not accept New Hampshire as the right place to start the "free state" efforts to reform government and sought out other locations. Some in the original organization became upset at this and hard feelings ensued. I don't have all the details, and they don't really matter to this commentary. You can find out more about it by visiting the sites now in operation to promote the various options (listed below).

As I understand it, the whole purpose of this project was to gather people together in a place with a small population and reform the government there to constitutional levels, coincidentally showing the rest of the country that freedom "works" and that free people can work together peacefully without government intervention. The recent cat fights put the entire project in jeopardy of becoming a laughingstock and counterproductive.

This is the way free people work together in voluntary cooperation? I half expect to see one or another of them file a lawsuit over this nonsense. That'll show the rest of the world how free people deal with adversity, now won't it? If they feel they must appeal to government to settle their differences, they might as well all just forget the whole thing.

I know there are many people of complete integrity involved, and I know that most of the FSP members are unhappy about all of this division and strife. The proof of the usefulness of this project will rest on how the majority of these people respond to this sad situation and how they move to resolve it peacefully.

Many people are watching and waiting to see what happens next...

The comment below says it the best:

It makes insults no less insulting because you phrase them 'politely'. I would love to see all of you wonderful people backing all freedom promoting efforts, no matter from whom they spring. East is east and west is west and they are meeting all the damn time and should stop sniping and backbiting and start helping advance all the efforts.

Yes: I am a free-stater and I will be moving to NH shortly, but I love the west as well and if one of those states had won I would have been moving there instead. For all those who can't see the (truly) great attractions of NH, I wish you the best of luck in whatever state or states you wind up residing in and working for the advancement of liberty in - no matter what your chosen path to that end.

I'm also a member of the Libertarian Party - and for the same reason - they are working toward the same end that I am. It's always easy to snipe but it doesn't do a thing to advance liberty. The LP may or may not be the most effective thing on the scene but they are in there punching every day just like the rest of us and if they can get a few more people thinking about liberty, then we've all won a victory well worth the small amount membership costs.

I love listening to both Mary Lou and BTP despite (because of ?) the fact that they occasionally get a little hot under the collar, but if we can all direct our ire at the statists we all win....ya think?

Sorry, just had to get all that off my chest.

Yours for liberty in our lifetime,
DaddyFrank

References:

Free State Project (original)

Free West Project
Yahoo Group founded October 4th

Mountain West Freedom Network
Yahoo Group founded October 7th

Alliance for liberty

Open Letter by Boston T. Party

Second Open Letter by BTP

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An Invitation To Participate

For Her Safety

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Are We All Wasting Our Time?

Standing By Our Mission