Democrats lash out at Benson, Free State Project

Democrats lash out at Benson, Free State Project

by Kate McCann • Associated Press Writer • 10/01/03

CONCORD, N.H -- State Democrats lashed out against Gov. Craig Benson and the Free State Project, which said Wednesday it wants to bring 20,000 libertarians to New Hampshire to influence public policy.

Benson said Wednesday he was excited New Hampshire was chosen out of 10 states for the project, which wants to minimize government's role and strengthen individual liberties.

Many project members say they will come to New Hampshire to roll back laws on what they call "victimless crimes".

"Why is Governor Craig Benson supporting a group that wants to legalize prostitution, legalize drugs and eliminate public schools?" said Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan. "Craig Benson should explain to the voters why he is supporting such a radical, antifamily agenda."

Sullivan said Republican Benson does not realize that project members will vote for libertarians, not him.

"Craig Benson is a loose cannon, and this is what results when a loose cannon doesn't have the common sense to think before he speaks," Sullivan said. "It's another Craig Benson folly we're going to have to live with."

The governor's office had strong objections to Sullivan's words.

"Governor Benson is against legalized prostitution. He is against legalized drug use. And he's for the public schools," said spokesman Wendell Packard. "The governor is like most people from New Hampshire. They welcome individuals who believe in self-determination, low taxes and limited government.

In a news release, the state Democratic Party also said the Free State Project wants to eliminate fire departments, environmental protections and stop the state from accepting federal health care for seniors.

Free State Project founder Jason Sorens, 26, called those statements a distortion.

"None of it is on target. I'm not sure where they got those things," said Sorens. "We support strong environmental protections to protect people from pollution. To say we support eliminating public schools is incorrect."

Sorens said the free-staters are a pro-business group, which wants community schools funded through tuition and community contribution. The free-staters, he said, believe government should enforce contracts and punish violent criminals.

"I would also add the Free State Project doesn't have a particular platform," Sorens said. "We have a political philosophy. Our members have diverse choices on many issues."

Rich Tomasso, a project member from Nashua, said many members believe that prostitution, gambling and drug use should be legal because they are victimless crimes.

But even though some members believe that, it is inaccurate to say the project's platform calls for legalization, Tomasso said.

"As long as you are not hurting other people or damaging someone else's property, the government should leave you alone," the freelance writer said.

Democrats cited an English newspaper, The Guardian, and the project's Web site as their sources for the news release.

The newspaper did not quote Sorens directly as saying the project supports eliminating fire departments and public schools or legalizing drugs, prostitution and gambling.

The Guardian wrote that "a Free State would translate as a green light for casinos, brothels, cocaine farms and gun supermarkets. Leaders would do away with seatbelt laws, limits on gay marriage and most taxes."

Regarding fire departments, an essay on the project's Web site says police and fire departments should be restricted to helping people instead of being "code enforcers."

"Because they are ill or injured or have a fire and need help should not also get them subsequently arrested for what they may have in their home," wrote Joseph Swyers.

However, the Web site cautions that views expressed in essays don't necessarily represent those of the project.

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