the first 1000
I have been blogging for the better part of a year now about the Free State Project. Now I’d like to tell you why I myself joined. My hope is that I will convince at least one reader to make the same decision I did: to join the FSP and to be one of the First 1000 to move to New Hampshire.
I have always loved books and movies, primarily for the escapism they provide. My favorite genres are science fiction, fantasy and action/adventure. Although I’m aware intellectually that I’m incredibly “blessed”, or “lucky”, or whatever you want to call it, to have been born into this time and place, it often doesn’t feel that way. I get caught up in the daily grind and it all seems so tedious and boring. Books and movies provide a short-term path to a radically different time, place, and persona.
Philosophically I’m a libertarian. “Philosophical” is the appropriate term to use, because it requires a certain viewpoint of the world and humanity in order to embrace the concept of limited government. People don’t need to be told what to do. People can, should, and must (whether they like it or not) tell themselves what to do, and bear the consequences of their choices and actions. I have known many people in my life who, for whatever reason, fundamentally disagree with me on these points. It therefore makes perfect sense that they are *not* libertarians. If you don’t trust people to make their own decisions, and enjoy or suffer the consequences, then the alternative is to assign someone else, someone smarter, wiser, more trustworthy, to make the decisions for the people.
From the first moment I was exposed to the Free State Project, my mind was totally blown. This was like the setup for a great novel or movie… only this was REAL! What would happen if 20,000 libertarians all moved to the same small state and started flexing their live-and-let-live muscles politically, socially, economically… I wanted to be a part of it. It was very much an emotional response. I’m aware that some people think I’m a complete lunatic for trusting a bunch of total strangers to keep their word and join me in an admittedly risky venture that impacts almost every aspect of your life. If enough other libertarians don’t move to New Hampshire, then my moving here won’t have meant much of anything. It’s a gamble, and it requires a certain amount of optimism (or fatalism!).  It’s strange, really, because ordinarily I am neither a gambler nor an optimist. Then again, what’s the alternative? The daily grind… and using books and movies for escapism.Â
Some people love the idea of the Free State Project but, for whatever reason, haven’t yet screwed up the courage to bite the bullet and make the move. I won’t kid you, there’s some pain involved. It’s analagous to yanking off a bandage; you know it’s going to hurt, but you also know that long-term you’re better off not having that silly piece of adhesive clinging to your skin. It costs money to relocate and move into a new house or apartment. You may have to quit a secure job and trust in your own abilities to find a new one. You will leave some friends, and possibly family, behind. You may have to adjust to a radically different climate than that to which you’re accustomed.
Is the risk worth it? I can’t answer that for you; each of us who is a libertarian and dreams of living in a world where we are free of government coercion, free to pursue our economic, educational and social lives as we see fit, must answer that for ourselves. In my case, the answer is unequivocally yes. Now it’s your turn to answer the question. And quit kidding yourself that your stalling is anything other than an answer to remain where you are, under the thumb of an increasingly restrictive, offensive and murderous government, essentially a slave paying out more than half of everything you earn for the privilege of living. You can choose to be a part of one of the greatest social experiments of the 21st century. If you have the courage of your convictions, hope for a brighter future, and/or the devil-may-care attitude to throw in your lot with several hundred freedom-loving strangers, join us. Sign the First 1000 pledge, and start making your plans to move to New Hampshire. It’s going to be glorious! Trust me. ;-)Â
Amen!
I’m one of your regular readers. I’ll probably join after I get my B.S. in December. See you at PorcFest and/or Shorty Dawkins Jamboree!
Rumor has it Bludorn is coming from Illinois in late 07 and bringing about 5-6 with him. FSP rocks!
Glorious… as in the Glorious Revolution?
After all, it is peacable and bloodless
Sandy, You Rock! Live Free or Die!
Yes, you do rock. You’ve got guts kid. I admire that.
WHY I LEFT THE FREE STATE PROJECT!
I was one of the first to join the FSP, I joined well before the vote to choose New Hampshire. I left because I think the FSP has lost sight of the big picture. After New Hampshire won out over the other states I observed that everyone on the FSP discussion sites were only talking about local issues, home schooling, running for city council, zoning laws, etc. All of this is well and good except for one problem; New Hampshire is not the problem, New Hampshire is not taxing me to death, New Hampshire is not spending our country into bankruptcy, New Hampshire is not spying on me, intercepting my phone and email, torturing or imprisoning innocent citizens, New Hampshire is not sending our armies all over the world sticking our noses in everyone elses business starting wars and killing people, New Hampshire is not the problem, Washington DC is the problem.
I guess the final straw for me was several months ago I contacted the FSP asking them to issue a statement in support of the impeachment of George Bush and Dick Cheney. From the response I got you would of thought I had farted in church. The FSP get involved in politics, how dare I suggest such a thing, this will violate our charter and everything we stand for; give me a break, just who within the FSP did they think they would offend by issuing a statement in support of impeaching the most criminal, inept and unconstitutional administration in our history. I agree with the principle of the FSP being non partisan, but there are exceptions to every rule, and I think the peril this country is in warrants this exception. The fact that the leadership of the FSP is so rigid and short sighted led me to remove my name fron membership in the FSP.
I signed the pledge about 2 months ago, and plan to move out in late 2007. I admire the goal of the project, and look forward to being a part of it. However, I think a wake-up call is in order.
All governments fail. The libertarian minarchism o the FSP is no exception. It too will succumb to the internal contradiction that plagues all government.
What contradiction? The contradiction of force. You cannot, on the one hand, argue against man’s use of force in his daily live, and then on the other hand, establish a special class of citizens who are exempted from that proscription, so that they can pursue goals given to them by a voting populace.
The only way to insure freedom for ourselves, and to our posterity, is to insure that we have the capacity to pursue and defend our own lives, unburdened from the yoke of violence that a State - any State - places upon us.
Freedom begins with individuals, not political systems.
NTM who? Don’t believe I recall any “NTM” involved in anything noteworthy!?! Perhaps I’m mistaken, but then you’ll have to actually come to New Hampshire to set me and the rest of the Porcupines “straight”…
Geezzz…lol.
Porcupines Rule!
Live Free Or Die!
Sincerely,
Rob Jacobs
FSP Member 105