Local reaction to Free-Staters

[Mercutio]

They may see themselves as crusaders for freedoms and inalienable rights, but they are seen as invaders. Concerns about a possible stealth campaign have arisen in Dover, and

Political observers and activists are alarmed over a recent e-mail from Tim Condon, a lead organizer with the Free State Project, to supporters telling them to help former state Rep. David Scott in his attempt to influence today’s Charter Commission election.

What I find most interesting is the discrepancy between the way the FSP wants to be seen and the way they are seen by the locals:

Charles Proulx — who lives in Exeter and is a member of the Seacoast Progressive Alliance and the communications committee for Democracy for New Hampshire — issued an alert Jan. 14 in response to Condon’s message.

Proulx said he first read Condon’s message on the website for New Hampshire Underground, www.soulawakenings.com, where the Free State Project is a featured link.

Proulx said city residents should be aware of possible Free Staters activities in the local election.

"The Free State Party is indicative of many efforts by conservative or far-right groups whose real agenda is to undermine public institutions," Proulx said.

"I think this should go out to the public," Proulx said over the weekend. "People just don’t realize it."

Proulx is convinced Scott is aligned with Free State elements bent on changing the way local government in New Hampshire runs. "Scott is under the helpful wing of Condon," he said. He thinks the money Condon and other Free Staters might have sent Scott "goes into a general fund."

Carole Appel, a Dover resident and chairwoman of the Strafford County Democratic Committee, said she felt bothered and annoyed after reading the e-mail.

"All I know is from an e-mail someone sent me," she said Sunday. "What I make of it is people outside the state are messing around with Dover’s government and I don’t like it."

Appel said from what she knows of the Free State Project she does not think their principles serve voters well. "The Free Staters are not interested in the welfare of our school system," she said. "They are interested in living in their own private communes, not paying any taxes, not helping solve any problems."

They are losing the public relations battle.

 

[shecky]

I suppose if I were a lifelong resident, I'd be resentful of the carpetbaggers.

I wouldn't mind seeing this experiment materialize, if for no reason other than curiosity. But almost every FSP zealot comes off as, well, a utopian zealot.

 

[Zep]

For people not from the NE of the USA, what the heck are you all talking about???

 

[Kerberos]

For people not from the NE of the USA, what the heck are you all talking about???

A bunch of Libertarian have concorted the notion that if enough libertarians would just move to the same state, they could take control of it and transform it to a libertarian paradise. New Hampshire is the lucky state. I don't think they're doing very well though.

 

[Brian]

A bunch of Libertarian have concorted the notion that if enough libertarians would just move to the same state, they could take control of it and transform it to a libertarian paradise. New Hampshire is the lucky state. I don't think they're doing very well though.

Is it just me, or does that reek of desperation?
A little scary too: We can't convince them to try it, so we'll force them to try it. Reminds me of the communist "revolutions". At least these guys aren't calling for a blood bath I suppose.

 

[Zep]

A bunch of Libertarian have concocted the notion that if enough libertarians would just move to the same state, they could take control of it and transform it to a libertarian paradise. New Hampshire is the lucky state. I don't think they're doing very well though.

Ah, I see. Thank you, Kerb.

They will need a breeding program first, I imagine. Got to get the numbers up...

 

[Kerberos]

Is it just me, or does that reek of desperation?

Desperate? Libertarians? How can you say something like that? The Libertarian party is on a roll, they're the third largest party and more and more people rally behind the party, just ask Shanek.

A little scary too: We can't convince them to try it, so we'll force them to try it. Reminds me of the communist "revolutions". At least these guys aren't calling for a blood bath I suppose.

Well Badnarik wants to indict IRS employees for fraud if there's evidence that "they knew that no statute exists that requires Americans to fill out a 1040 form and relinquish a significant percentage of their hard earned money to an unconstitutional government that refuses to operate within a budget" Not exactly a blood bath, but unconstitutional political prosecution yes.

 

[PixyMisa]

Well Badnarik wants to indict IRS employees for fraud

You know, if they did something about the rest of their platform they could be on a winner there.

 

[Kerberos]

You know, if they did something about the rest of their platform they could be on a winner there.

I supose you could look at it that way.

 

[Mercutio]

For people not from the NE of the USA, what the heck are you all talking about???

Here's their website. You get their philosophy, their plans, and in the news section, the local reaction to their actions, and the Free Staters' bewilderment as to why they are not welcomed with open arms.

 

[Tmy]

I cant believe these dopes picked New Hampshire! The black sheep state of New england!

Dont they know that the people in NH are insane and would freak over any interloper coming into their feifdom. Those hillbilies get off on being political mavericks and wont take kindly to "commies" moving into their turf.

 

[Mercutio]

I cant believe these dopes picked New Hampshire! The black sheep state of New england!

Dont they know that the people in NH are insane and would freak over any interloper coming into their feifdom. Those hillbilies get off on being political mavericks and wont take kindly to "commies" moving into their turf.

I agree.

 

[shanek]

All I have to say is, "Called it!" Geez, and the move hasn't even begun yet...

...well, maybe they can start changing hearts and minds once they actually start moving there.

 

[CFLarsen]

Desperate? Libertarians? How can you say something like that? The Libertarian party is on a roll, they're the third largest party and more and more people rally behind the party, just ask Shanek.

0% support and dwindling, yes.

Well Badnarik wants to indict IRS employees for fraud if there's evidence that "they knew that no statute exists that requires Americans to fill out a 1040 form and relinquish a significant percentage of their hard earned money to an unconstitutional government that refuses to operate within a budget" Not exactly a blood bath, but unconstitutional political prosecution yes.

The really scary thing about this suggestion is that it is solely meant to scare the rest of the population. Let's pick on a group of people that most people don't like, and get rid of them. Generalize, create a scapegoat and blame that for all our problems. But who will be next?

Gee, where have we heard that before....?

 

[Kerberos]

All I have to say is, "Called it!"

Called what?

Geez, and the move hasn't even begun yet...

...well, maybe they can start changing hearts and minds once they actually start moving there.

Good luck with that, personally I think that Zarqavi will win an Iraqi election on a proamerican plarform, before the Libertarian Party wins enough hearts and minds to elect a Govenor running as a Libertarian.

 

[CFLarsen]

Good luck with that, personally I think that Zarqavi will win an Iraqi election on a proamerican plarform, before the Libertarian Party wins enough hearts and minds to elect a Govenor running as a Libertarian.

Judging from the latest Presidential election, you are right. The more people know about Libertarian politics, the fewer vote for it.