Patriots of the Republic Chat

NOTE: The opinions and commentary expressed in this essay are those of the author and are an exercise of free speech. They do not necessarily represent the views of Free State Project Inc., its Directors, its Officers, or its Participants.

Patriots of the Republic Chat with Jason

On September 17th Jason Sorens participated in a voice chat conference with the Patriots of the Republic group. Members of the audience asked questions, which Jason then answered. The files are broken down by question: click on the question number to open an mp3 audio file for that question and answer.

1 POTR welcomes Jason Sorens, President & Founder, Free State Project. Jason introduces himself and outlines the Free State Project.

2 Granny Jean and Jason discuss philosophical and political divergence that will emerge in the Free State, and whether this will be healthy for the project.

3 Jason does not advocate secession, but thinks it should be kept open as a future option.

4 Bigun and Jason discuss the differences between the original Republic and the Free State. Much has been learned since the founding and we can apply this knowledge to the Free State.

5 The Free State Project proposes to limit the role of government to protecting people from each other.

6 CarollAnn and Jason discuss the role of Free State government in education, health, prisons, etc.

7 MJ-GA and Jason discuss the Statement of Intent signed by those who pledge to move to the Free State.

8 Jason and Bigun discuss the probability of successful secession in the modern world.

9 Gator and Jason talk about the chances of the federal government inflicting violence and dirty tricks 20,000 activists in the Free State movement, and the role of the media and public opinion in constraining the feds.

10 (unavailable) BlueVelvet and Jason talk about the influence of the Free State on its neighbors as a Beacon of Freedom.

11 Jason tells us what kinds of people are joining the Free State Project.

12 The Rifleman and Jason discuss the morality, methods, and precedents of the Free State Project.

13 CarrollAnn questions Jason about the voting effect of government employees displaced by government downsizing in the Free State.

14 BlueVelvet asks if the Free State Project has ever been labeled as treasonous.

15 Mickee007 and Jason discuss the reasons for choosing a state government as the target project and not a town or county government.

16 Jason and Larry007 discuss whether the Free State Project will have a divisive or unifying effect on Americans.

17 Jason argues that the historical growth in the size of governments around the world can be reversed.

18 The Rifleman asks how the Free State Project is different from separatist movements promoted by certain Hispanic and black groups.

19 MJ-GA and Jason discuss the two major obstacles faced by the Free State Project and how they can be overcome.

20 Jason and Nat Turner talk about demographics and bureaucratic inertia as obstacles for the Free State Project.

21 Jason talks about ways the constitution of the target state can be amended.

22 Nat Turner and Jason discuss the pros and cons of immigrant and age demographics on the Free State Project.

23 Jason and ZOldDude talk about New Zealand's Mixed Member Proportional Representation system.

24 Jason discusses the relationship of population density and freedom and the desirability of avoiding states with big cities.

25 Hot2Speak and Jason discuss the meaning of "free" in "Free State."

26 CarrollAnn asks about gun control in the Free State.

27 Jason discusses how the Free State could absorb large immigrations from other states.

28 Jason and JohnDJacoby talk about forcing governments to abide by their respective constitutions.

29 Jason talks about the financial arrangements with the federal government that would be necessary in the case of secession.

30 BlueVelvet and Jason talk about state conventions.

31 Nat Turner and Jason discuss measures the federal government might take against the Free State and how we could defend ourselves.

32 Jason imagines the kind of state that Sen. Boxer will see in the Free State and how she and other senators might react.

33 Jason and Jenx offer their concluding remarks.