Taxation

Interest Groups

Interest Groups

Liaisons Corner – an on-going series of interviews with our Liaison Leaders.

While the FSP is looking for activists who support liberty for all, we can find libertarians in many different communities of ignterest, each with its own priorities and reasons for valuing freedom. It makes sense for some members of these communities to interface with their own, since they are more likely to empathize and speak the same language, figuratively speaking. This has been going on informally since the FSP's inception, but we are formalizing it a little.

Below is a list of interest groups and people assigned as liaisons. The list is not exhaustive, and the people are not exclusive. We ask that the liaisons make efforts to reach out to their communities, and we ask that anyone else doing so keep the liaisons informed, so as to coordinate activities.

Feel free to suggest additional interest groups, especially if you are willing to volunteer as a liaison yourself, if you believe that connecting with them will help further the FSP mission. Please send any feedback to the Coordinator: Wade Bartlett.

Also, you can visit the Interest Group Liaisons discussion board in the FSP Forum.


Category Interest Liaison
(* = multiple positions)
Links
Business Business Coordinator Evan Nappen*  
Firearms Industry Evan Nappen*  
Information Technology Robert S. Paul  
College College Coordinators Rich Goldman Web page
Rich Weiser
Lauren Munoz
Elizabeth Edwards
Ethnicity Asian-American (open)  
Black (open) Essay Yahoo group
Hispanic William Rodriguez  
Issues Alternative Health Care Dr. Alva Irish Website
BGLT (open) Essay Yahoo group
Drug Policy Reform (Paul Tripp)  
Economics for the Free State Mike Ruff
 
Free Schooling Mike Ruff
 
Gambling/Games of Chance
William Rodriguez  
Geo-Libertarian (open)  
Gun Rights Evan Nappen Web page
Health Care in the Free State Ben Madison MSN group
Health Freedom Derek Williams Yahoo group
Homeschooling Jean Alexander
Website Yahoo group
Informed Juries (open) Yahoo group
Polyamory Denise Penkalski Essay Yahoo group
Property Rights Auden RovelleQuartz  
Private Social Relations/Contracts Mike Ruff
 

Libertarians seek a place in the New Hampshire sun

Date: 07/29/09

Title: Libertarians seek a place in the New Hampshire sun

Author: Adam Geller

New Hampshire Once Again Shows the Way to Freedom

For Immediate Release
February 13, 2009

New Hampshire Once Again Shows the Way to Freedom

CONCORD -- As it has done in the past, New Hampshire is once again leading a pack of states in taking a stand against intrusive government.

Free Staters Talk Political Parties, Activism, Guns and Taxes

For Immediate Release

January 5, 2008

PORCUPINES TALK POLITICAL PARTIES, ACTIVISM, GUNS AND TAXES

Nashua, NH - The second day of the 2008 Liberty Forum started early and covered working with political parties, citizen activism, the law, taxes and being a better advocate for liberty. "All these topics are important for moving liberty forward, which is the overall theme of the forum. You have to know how the system works in order to change it." said Forum organizer Chris Lawless.

The day saw attendance surpassing last year's, with more than 350 attendees registering for the various speakers, lunch sessions and keynote dinner.

The morning sessions included working with the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire and a presentation by Dr. Jim Lark, former chairman of the national LP. Lark's presentation was "avoiding knee-jerk libertarianism" and highlighted that Libertarianism is "being a good neighbor" and that the burden of proof must be on the statists to show that their programs will actually work. Dr. Lark said that "getting people to think is the way to bring them to libertarianism."

Tyler Sterns, the 18-year old NH Liberty Alliance activist of the year, talked about his own experience getting involved in politics and his run for the statehouse. There were two sessions on the law, the IRS and income taxes, by Peymon Mottahedeh of the Freedom Law School, and by Jeff Dickstein, attorney and author of "Judicial Tyranny" who outlined Bill Benson's effort to show the 16th Amendment was never properly ratified.

The afternoon panel on the 2nd amendment and gun owners' rights was by far the most popular panel of the day. Rep. Dan Itse discussed the early history of New Hampshire and the importance of it's government structure. He said "New Hampshire is the crucible of liberty," and explained why. There was also a special session with Wayne Green, founder of "Byte" and "NH To-Do" magazine covering simple solutions to many problems, focusing on natural health and current legal restrictions preventing health and food choice.

A popular session was Jim Babka of Downsize DC, making his second appearance at the Liberty Forum. Attendees were very interested in the organization's "Read the Bills Act" and "One Subject at a Time Act," both of which aim to make congressmen know more about the laws they are passing, the former actually requiring them to swear they read the bill before voting on it. He pointed out how the media willfully ignores important stories about liberty and their new "Operation Everywhere" to put the pro-liberty message in the public eye and keep it there.

Prometheus award-winning author F. Paul Wilson talked about his "Repairman Jack" series and new novel as well as discussing "freedom-based" literature in general and his own experience being a Libertarian back in the 1960s. Ed Hudgins of the Atlas Society talked about the moral imperative of liberty and the need for moral arguments to advance freedom.

A full exhibitors' hall featured many local citizens groups, a job placement agency, political parties and silver merchants.

The keynote dinner speaker, Senator John Sununu, was very popular with the attendees, particularly for his help on stopping New Hampshire's participation in Real ID. Sununu talked about his own legislative work on privacy, reducing regulation and cutting taxes. As well as working in a post-9/11 Washington and standing up against his own party on civil liberties issues. His announcement of being the lead sponsor on a bill to repeal Real ID drew a long round of applause. He said "Freedom is threatened by the constant effort to tax, tax, tax." and that "New Hampshire is the best state to live in because it has the lowest tax burden."

The Liberty Forum continues until Sunday at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua. Full details are at http://www.freestateproject.org/libertyforum

###

New Hampshire's 365-Day Sales-Tax Holiday

Original article: www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/998.html
Date: 08/04/05
Title: New Hampshire?s 365-Day Sales Tax Holiday
Author: Alicia Hansen
Publication: Tax Foundation


New Hampshire?s 365-Day Sales Tax Holiday

by Alicia Hansen • 08/04/05


Throughout August, Massachusetts parents and children will stock up on notebooks, clothes, and backpacks in preparation for a new school year. Many of them will confine their back-to-school shopping to August 13 and 14, since those days are "tax holidays" in Massachusetts, which means all purchases under $2,500 are exempt from the state's 5 percent sales tax.

This year Massachusetts joins ten other states and the District of Columbia in providing sales tax holidays (click here for a chart of each state's exempt items and other details).

But now it seems Massachusetts might be upstaged by its neighbor to the north. According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has announced a new advertising campaign targeted at Massachusetts residents. New Hampshire will spend approximately $40,000 to run an ad in the Boston Globe on August 7, 10, and 11, proclaiming, "365 vs. 002 . . . Tax-Free Shopping Days (for those of you keeping score)."

New Hampshire is one of only five states without a sales tax and is therefore a popular destination for shoppers from neighboring states, especially those living near the border. Gov. Lynch is keenly aware of the lure of tax-free shopping:

"There is no need for shoppers to pack all of their shopping into two days during a beautiful summer weekend, when every day is a sales tax holiday in New Hampshire," Lynch said.

Alice DeSouza, director of the state's Division of Travel and Tourism Development, told onlookers the state annually welcomes about 27 million visitors. The link between the Granite State's permanent tax holiday and tourism is "significant," she said.

Tax holidays are popular with consumers, but if a state wants to bring in more non-resident shoppers, improve its economy, or give taxpayers a break, a better solution is a consistently low sales tax rate–or none at all–rather than a one- or two-day tax holiday.

As Curtis Dubay has written, sales tax holidays are poor tax policy because they distort consumer spending, decrease stability in the tax code, and increase retailers' compliance costs.


More media articles about the FSP

These media articles are maintained on a non-commercial basis by The Free State Project, a non-profit organization, for historical, educational, scholarship, and research purposes. (For information regarding "Fair Use", see US Code Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107).

Keene's the hook in Free State commercial

Original article: www.keenesentinel.com/localnews/story1.htm
Date: 02/23/04
Title: Keene's the hook in Free State commercial
Author: Benjamin Yelle
Publication: Keene Sentinel


Keene's the hook in Free State commercial

by Benjamin Yelle • 02/23/04


Keene's scenic beauty and vibrant downtown have been selling points for city business owners and politicians for years.

Now, the city's Railroad Square will be featured in a television commercial aimed at luring members of the Free State Project to the Granite State.

Keene resident James G. Maynard, the Free State Project's New Hampshire contact person, has produced and is featured in the commercial, which will begin airing Wednesday. He is joined in the ad by local Free Staters Patricia L. LaPree and Justin Somma.

The Free State Project was formed in 2001 as a movement to bring 20,000 libertarians to one state in hopes of gaining political power. Their tenets include small government, fiscal conservatism and individual freedom. On Oct. 1, the 5,000 members of the project voted to move to New Hampshire. Maynard estimates the group now has about 5,500 members.

"With the lowest crime in the nation, the lowest taxes in the continental U.S., and a part-time citizen legislature, the state of New Hampshire is the ideal place for libertarians and other friends of local, responsible government to relocate," the project's Web site states.

The Keene television commercial – which will air on WNNE Channel 31 throughout western New Hampshire and eastern Vermont, and WPTZ Channel 5 in Western Vermont and eastern New York – is part of a campaign aimed at convincing voters in Killington, Vt., to secede from that state and join New Hampshire. It was filmed last week.

The project has also developed three half-page newspaper ads which have run in the Mountain Times of Killington.

Killington selectmen are urging voters to secede from Vermont because they claim the town is overtaxed by the state. They have discussed rejoining New Hampshire – a move many claim is outrageous.

Vermont Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz said Killington has little chance of secession "absent an armed-insurrection type of thing."

But supporters of the move say the town's restaurants, inns and other businesses send $10 million a year to the state capital in sales, room and meal taxes, but the state returns just $1 million in state aid to Killington.

The town is hit especially hard by a statewide property tax imposed in 1997 to fund schools. Killington, population 1,092, won a Superior Court order that called the state's method of assessing local properties "arbitrary and capricious," but the Vermont Supreme Court reversed that decision. New Hampshire, 25 miles east, has no income tax or sales tax.

Maynard said the commercial attacks Vermont's tax system "in a light-hearted, comical fashion."

He said the message the commercial tries to get across is that state government waste and a burdensome tax system can turn any town into another Killington. Maynard said the commercial serves a dual role in showing people what a great place New Hampshire – and Keene specifically – is to live.

"Keene is a beautiful, beautiful place," Maynard said. "I wouldn't want to do (the commercial) anywhere else."

While the Free State Project has been out of the national media spotlight lately, Maynard said the group has been busy with a "massive reorganization" designed to ease the move to New Hampshire.

"We've been working hard every day," he said. "We're really looking forward to making things better for ourselves, our parents and our children."

Associated Press contributed to this report.


More media articles about the FSP

These media articles are maintained on a non-commercial basis by The Free State Project, a non-profit organization, for historical, educational, scholarship, and research purposes. (For information regarding "Fair Use", see US Code Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107).

Benson gives welcome to Free State

Original article: nashuatelegraph.com/Main.asp?SectionID=
25&SubSectionID=354&ArticleID=92622
Date: 11/02/03
Title: Benson gives welcome to Free State
Author: Katharine Webster
Publication: Nashua Telegraph (AP)


Benson gives welcome to Free State

by Katharine Webster • The Associated Press • 11/02/03


MANCHESTER – Gov. Craig Benson welcomed members of the Free State Project to New Hampshire on Saturday, saying he was excited about their plans to move to the state and promote their agenda of smaller government.

"We'd love to have you," Benson told several Free Staters at the annual convention of the state Libertarian Party, held at the Highlander Inn.

"We don't have to agree on everything to make things happen. What we have to agree on is that we're going to leave things better than we found them," he said.

The Libertarian Party and the Free State Project share members and political goals: scaling back government, taxes and reliance on public schools.

Saturday marked one month since supporters of the Free State Project announced they had chosen New Hampshire as the stage for their political "revolution." They hope to move 20,000 "liberty-minded individuals" to the state to transform the political system from within.

Some of the project's 5,000 members want to decriminalize drug use and prostitution and lift restrictions on gun ownership and gambling, as well.

Benson said he disagrees with some of those goals, but agrees with the Free Staters on "the important issues."

"What we're standing for is smaller government," he told reporters after his formal remarks.

"They don't want government on their backs, in their businesses, or in their private lives."

In his speech, Benson described various initiatives he has gotten funded by private businesses, as well as two proposed amendments to the state constitution that he supports.

One, dubbed the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, would limit increases in state spending to the rate of inflation, adjusted for increases in population. It also would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to increase existing taxes.

Members of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, a new political action committee formed by members of the Free State Project living in the state, have already said they probably will support that amendment.

The other proposed constitutional amendment would give the Legislature exclusive control over state spending on education.

State Supreme Court decisions have found the state constitution includes a guarantee of public education for every child, paid for by state taxes. Those decisions led to the statewide property tax for schools.

Benson also called for putting the "passion" back into education, in part by letting students get credit for educational experiences outside classrooms.

He characterized public education standards as inflexible, based on a model of learning everything inside four walls, 180 days a year, six hours a day.

"Why do we make someone like my daughter, who's trying out for the Olympics, take gym class, too?" he said, to vigorous applause.

Kelton Baker, president of the Free State Project, presented Benson with a stuffed toy porcupine – the movement's mascot – after his speech.

"We're very happy and very excited about our work in the state of New Hampshire," he said. "And we're very happy to have a governor who supports us."


More media articles about the FSP

These media articles are maintained on a non-commercial basis by The Free State Project, a non-profit organization, for historical, educational, scholarship, and research purposes. (For information regarding "Fair Use", see US Code Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107).

TV segment about FSP

Date: 07/28/03
Item: TV segment about FSP
Author: Eric Scheiner
Media: WNDS TV-50


TV segment about FSP

07/28/03

Unofficial transcript of WNDS TV-50 on-air news segment about FSP, with FSP member James Maynard. WNDS is New Hampshire's second largest TV station. This segment aired 7/28/03 at 7pm and 10pm.

Note: The actual broadcast is now available online at James Maynard WNDS TV spot in NH.

Female anchor: An organization called the Free State project is looking to move 20,000 libertarians into New Hampshire

Male anchor: The group wants to change the structure of government and News-Now's Eric Scheiner shows us how.

(cut to James Maynard)

James Maynard (FSP member): We're trying to gather 20,000 liberty minded people to move to one state in the union together. To work within local and state government to bring about a more financially responsible and socially tolerant government.

(cut to http://www.freestateproject.org/state.htm as the reporter talks it scrolls down from the Low Campaign Expenditures portion)

Eric Scheiner (Reporter): The idea is simple, yet revolutionary. And for libertarian members of the Free State Project New Hampshire is one of 10 possible destinations. A destination where political goals have already been established. Lowering property taxes being the first among many.

(scrolls as far down as Low Crime Rates, then cuts back to James)

James: We want to lower the Business Enterprise Tax, we want to lower the business property tax.

(cut to Colony Mill marketplace sign, then Ye Goodie Shoppe sign, Time Leon's "Family" Restaurant, Creative Encounters, Prime Roast coffee company while reporter talks)

Eric: Project members believe the influx of 20,000 libertarians would boost the economy. By buying and renting homes, and starting businesses, all while establishing themselves in communities and promoting the free enterprise principles of the Libertarian Party.

(cut back to James)

James: We're going to be going door-to-door, we're going to be working on warrant articles, on the school budgets...

(cut to reporter sitting in front of a PC on the FSP's homepage)

Eric: Nearly 5,000 people have signed up on the Free State Project website, agreeing to move to New Hampshire if it is chosen as the project's state. Final decision on the issue will come on August 15th.

(cut to James)

James: New Hampshire, as much as you can tell from the thousand or so people who go to the forum seems to be a front runner.

(cut back to shots of storefronts)

Eric: If the Granite State is chosen for the project there's still no deadline for the influx to begin. Nearly 15,000 more libertarians would need to agree to move to the Live Free or Die state before the Free State Project would get underway.

(cut to a closeup of the porcupine logo on the homepage, then the top of the homepage).

Eric: For WNDS News-Now, I'm Eric Scheiner.


More media articles about the FSP

These media articles are maintained on a non-commercial basis by The Free State Project, a non-profit organization, for historical, educational, scholarship, and research purposes. (For information regarding "Fair Use", see US Code Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107).

Questions of the Week

Self-Sufficiency Living

Past "Questions of the Week"

  • Q: Dear Andrew,

    Your Question of the Week and Rant of the Week this week look a lot like last week's. I think that's weak. What happened? Did you lose the fire, or are you just taking a break, or what? I was just getting interested, don't stiff now!

    Jason in Colorado

    A: Dear Jason,

    You caught me, pal. I have been neglecting my duties a little bit lately, but not for lack of motivation. Time has been at a particularly high premium the past few weeks, but, even so, excuses are lame. Thanks for keeping me honest, Jason.

    Andrew

  • Q: Are you some sort of cult-based radical extremist? Every time I hear about people going back to the land or some such foolish thing, they turn out to be some sort of moon worshipping utopians.

    Matt in New Jersey

    A: Dear Matt,

    You must be a Bruce Springsteen fan, right? And Bon Jovi, too? Everybody in New Jersey loves The Boss and Bon Jovi, right?

    I can assure you I am not a radical extremist of any kind, nor are most other self-sufficiency enthusiasts. On the contrary, most of us are about as down to earth individuals as you're likely to meet. Sure, a bit eccentric, maybe, but that's only because of the keen intelligence of which most of us are possessed.

    One thing I've learned is that radical extremism is almost always a bad thing. Worthy causes turn into crusades, peace turns to conflict, then people start gettin' blowed up.

    Obviously I care a great deal about self-sufficiency – enough to sponsor a web page – but I know two very important things: perfection can never be attained, and what's right for me isn't right for everyone.

    The closer you get to perfect, the harder it becomes to make any more progress. It's called the law of diminshing returns. That's just the way it is.

    Not everyone can become self-reliant, and not everyone should try.

    As strongly as I feel on the subject of sustainability and renewability, I have enough sense to know it's not worth taking a hard line, either with myself or with others. This hasn't always been the case. But recently I learned that taking a hard line on nearly anything is less a sign of commitment to principle than it is a sign of one's capacity to annoy people.

    Ultimately, you'll have to decide for yourself if I'm a foolish utopian. As I've explained in these pages, I believe self-determination and self-reliance are like two sides of the same coin. I only ask that you judge me on my merits, not on some ill-conceived stereotype.

    Now if you'll excuse me, I must go prepare the incense for my Moon worship ritual.

    Andrew

  • Q: I know of several off-grid homesteaders out here in the Southwest who rely for their electrical power on solar electric panels. What kind of off-grid systems will work best for New Hampshire?

    Joe Padula, Scottsdale, AZ

    A: Dear Joe,

    Out in the Southwest where it is mostly sunny and flat, it is quite realistic for a homesteader to make all his electricity from solar power. In New Hampshire, in case you're not aware, it is mostly not sunny, and mostly not flat. Every specific application will vary, of course, but in general the best systems will be hybrids. The solar exposure during the summer is very good, and because of the long days during which electric lighting will not be used, a relatively modest solar array will be able to keep up with the needs of a small family if wisely managed.

    During winter months, the sun only shines for as little as nine hours a day. But this also tends often to be a very windy time of year, particularly in the hills and mountains and near the coast. Except during periods of heavy snow, a small wind generator mounted in the right place can take advantage of these currents and actually generate more electricity than the homestead can use.

    Because of the very uneven terrain of the state, there may be places where a ridge or hillside takes away your best solar exposure. But that same terrain that may make a solar array unsuitable may also provide a fast-moving stream which can support a hydroelectric generator.

    In general, most homesteads will rely on more than one source for power. Once you have a site, then you will be able to assess what means will work best for you. The southwest and the Northeast are actually two of the most active regions for those who practice self-reliance by living off the grid. No doubt you will be able to find many homesteaders already in New England from whom you can draw advice and experience.

  • Q: I've been raising llamas on my independent homestead for years, and so naturally I was interested when I saw your web page. Why don't you write more about off-grid power setups and food production? Why do you have to tie everything in to this liberty movement thing?

    Barney, North Carolina

    A: Barney,

    There are a couple reasons why I don't concentrate more on the applications of self-reliant living. One is that I simply can't speak as authoritatively on subjects such as canning and freezing, or deepcycle battery maintenance, as the numerous resources on the web and on the newsstand that deal with the nuts and bolts of the lifestyle.

    Secondly, I must always keep in mind that the purpose of this liaison is to be that bridge between the two communities. It is my task to keep the subject matter interesting to both the self-reliance community and the Free State Project.

    And thirdly, if there is a subject where you have some expertise or would like to contribute, all submissions are welcome, whether they be of practical interest to the homesteader, or gardener, or of political interest. Do you have a unique story or interest that would be appropriate for this page? Are you conversant in a traditional skill or craft that would have value to the independent homesteader? Share your knowledge! Let us hear from you. If you are interested in writing a piece for this page, please contact me, Andrew Wiegand, at penguinsscareme@yahoo.com.

    And finally, Barney, the tie-in to liberty is a natural one. Did you decide to go into homesteading because you couldn't see living life on someone else's say-so? Do you love making your own decisions, taking responsibility for yourself, and setting your own course? That sounds a lot like porucupine thinking to me!

  • Q: Becoming self sufficient is a nice idea, but it seems such a huge and unattainable change with the life I live now. What are some smaller things that I can start with if I'm not in a position to buy 40 acres in NH and start growing my own food? Or if you happen to be like me and can't keep a plant alive to save your life?

    Janis, Massachusetts

    A: Dear Janis,

    That's a great question. First of all, you don't really need 40 acres or even 30. I just figured as long as I was dreaming, that's how much I'd like. Truthfully, if the land and soil are at all decent, 5 acres is probably sufficient if managed carefully and field crops are augmented with greenhouse gardening.

    Of course, most people don't have several acres of arable land, don't garden much, and for most people it just isn't practical to erect an array of solar electric panels, or a 50 foot tower to support a wind generator. And most modern houses are not designed to be heated with renewable fuels. As with committing to the Free State Project, making the move toward self-sufficient living presents a number of inconveniences that will test your resolve.

    The best way to start living the self-sufficient life is with your money. It teaches you the principles that will apply to self-sufficient living in all other aspects of life, and if you try it and don't like it, it's much easier to switch back to the mainstream than it would be had you already moved out to the woods and built an off-grid homestead!

    First, try to go one billing cycle without using any credit cards. If you can do that, try to go longer. Try brownbagging your lunch using either a cooler or lunchbox, or reusing shopping bags. Every time you pull out money to pay for something you didn't leave the house planning to buy, think about whether it is something you need, or what you could maybe do next time to avoid having to buy it. Could you have brought a bottle of pre-mixed iced tea or water from home instead of putting money in the vending machine?

    See what sort of lifestyle changes begin to occur. Do you begin to eat out less? Are you dropping some bad spending habits? How does it feel? Do you sleep better at night knowing you don't have to be afraid to look in the mailbox? Does it sting a little when you forego a new pair of shoes or a "high performance accessory" that you didn't really need? Is the sting followed by a swell of pride at your newfound liberation, or an excruciating emptiness from the knowledge that your friends' clothes or cars are newer and shinier?

    We started practicing financial self-reliance 8 years ago, and we're still not quite ready to take the leap into homesteading. And realistically, I don't know how close we'll ever get to total independence. But we're a lot closer to financial freedom than our friends who have mountains of debt from school loans, car loans, mortgages and credit cards. We've also endured setbacks and detours along the way, but we have persevered.

    We have two credit cards; I despise them, and can count on my fingers how many times I've used them. I have never, ever, ever carried a balance. My rule of thumb is to never finance anything that depreciates in value unless I both cannot pay for it up front and absolutely, positively cannot live without it.

    This attitude comes from my staunch yankee upbringing, and the old saw, Use it up/Wear it out/Make it do or/Do without.

    Now, in case I have given the impression of being self-righteous, let me be the first to point out that I have done many foolish things with money. But it was always money that I already had, never borrowed.

    If you've gotten this far along, you've probably noticed that your friends mostly tend to have nicer things than you. Now if you are prudent, you will always be able to find a way to keep a decent standard of living. But perhaps your friend's kitchen has a new ceramic tile backsplash and the latest dishwasher, or maybe your friend has a new car and a big tv. This is to be expected. I'm not an ascetic by any means; I could sit here all day and name things I want but don't have and not get tired. But the lifestyle I have chosen precludes me from obtaining everything I want when I want it. This has its own benefits, though they are less conspicuous. I savor the anticipation of getting what I want, I truly cherish the nice things that I do have, and I take pleasure in small rewards.

    To survive in this lifestyle, it is imperative to NOT tie your self-esteem to your possessions.

    If you are a perceptive student of the voluntary simplicity method, as it is sometimes called, you will begin to notice that there is pride, and then there is vanity. These are often confused for one another, but they are two distinctly different things. To spend an afternoon cleaning out and tuning up an old Ford shows pride; to trade your old Ford for a new Mercedes shows vanity. Nothing against Mercedes, mind you! But such a grand acquisition should come as the reward for achieving wealth, not the pursuit of a facade.

    If you're still practicing self-reliance with your money at this point, you're ready for some advanced strategies. Good news! This is where your longsuffering really starts to pay dividends.

    By now you're well aware that it's measurably more difficult to live this way than to live the way your friends do. No, duh! The hard way is always harder than the easy way, that's why it's called the hard way. Suck it up, because it's finally about to start lovin' you back.

    Now it's time to put your money to work for you. Crack that whip, Sally! Each and every dollar bill that you don't have to spend in order to live, is an employee, ready to do your bidding. Make that money earn more money. This is graduate level financial self-sufficiency, Holmes. This is where, with a wise investment here, the acquisition of an asset there, your thrift repays you with wealth.

    Your simple financial portfolio will begin to expand, slowly at first, then faster and faster. If you are at all prudent -- and you are -- you will form a corporate entity, and retain the services of an attorney, an accountant, and a financial advisor. Yeah, it gets complicated. But don't worry -- these are really nice problems to have.

    Just starting down this path is going to require a complete overhaul of the consumerist mentality that has been pummelled into your skull since you were old enough to watch tv. To take the first step, I recommend reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki. It opened my eyes. It'll open yours. It's all very general, non-specific kind of mindset advice. Depending on your interests, you can go from there to find more specific advice on planting and cultivating your own money garden.

    Achieving self-sufficiency in any arena of life is always a long, difficult gauntlet of sacrifice. But if you stick it out long enough, it's like cresting a hill. You will be repaid so many times over that you'll never be able to go back to being "plugged in."

    Whether it's food, fuel, energy, money, or government -- or all of the above! -- there's no education in liberty like being self-sufficient.

  • Q: I have always dreamed of living "off the grid." So why exactly should I sign on to the Free State Project?

    Sincerely,
    Rugged Joe from Idaho



    A: Dear Rugged Joe,

    The reasons for joining the FSP are as varied as the reasons for wanting to live a life of energy independence. Do you want to be surrounded by people who cherish the values of simplicity, freedom, individualism and prosperity? You will find these characteristics in the constitution of most every porcupine.

    Are you mistrustful of the government-subsididies and shortsightedness that plague the modern mass energy cartels? Among the Free State Project membership you will find bright minds who are every hour pursuing avenues of change in the way our government is run to give energy alternatives a level playing field on which to compete.

    Even if your highest ambition in life is just to be left alone, you will find that the Free State Project holds the right of the individual to privacy to be absolutely inviolable.

    These are but a few of the reasons you may want to give porcupines a close look. I invite you to visit a forum and meet some members. You may be surprised how much you didn't know you had in common. Or contact me directly (I am, after all, a liason!) and let's talk about what you want to achieve.

    There's no state like the Free State to make it happen.

    Andrew

  • Q: Hey Andrew, I hear they've found more oil – like, a lot more oil. Like, maybe more than they've found under the whole of Saudi Arabia. It's near a Russian island called Sakhalin, to the north of Japan. Now we can have plenty of cheap oil without being beholden to the Middle East. Doesn't that make you want to give up hope on renewable energy?

    Sincerely,
    Boris
    Kamchatka Peninsula


    A: Dear Boris, Heck no, buddy!

    Indulge me for a moment. If the government tomorrow discovered a huge vein of gold underneath the Capitol, I mean one that could erase the federal deficit as if by magic, would the Free State Project then be rendered a moot point?

    Ah, I see it now. Flush with newfound wealth, the government adopts a strict policy of thrift, almost to the point of miserliness (miserdom? miseracity?). Instead of metastasizing new tentacles reaching forth into every aspect of daily life, the government decides to contract its sphere of influence, scale back foreign policy, strip down domestic social programs, cut payroll, roll back taxes, repeal all but the most fundamental of regulatory legislation, and embezzle only one tiny little stack of bills to finance a retirement cottage in the Finger Lakes region.

    Well, that would be nice, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, I think such a development would make the current predicament of liberty-loving people resemble a trip to the ice cream parlor.

    Just as more money makes the government more powerful, so does more oil make the oil companies more powerful. And just as it is in the government's own interest to make the public dependent on it, so is it in the oil companies' interest to make the consumer base dependent upon it. Instead of going to the polls to cast "votes" for either a Republican, Democrat, Green or Libertarian, though, we go to the quickie-stop to "choose" Mobil, Texaco, BP or Hess. But BP is just kind of a little cult thing, and everyone believes Hess is circling the drain, so there's really pretty much just Mobil and Texaco. They're pretty much the same thing, anyway.

    No one is into the Free State Project because they have to be. They are into it because they can be, and because they want to be. For some people, it's just not within the realm of practicality, but they still fervently support the effort from outside, in whatever way they can. It's about independence, individual empowerment and self-determination, and decentralization of power. It also happens to be our best hope for long term survival and security.

    In case you haven't figured it out, Boris, read that last paragraph aloud to yourself, only instead of "the Free State Project," say "renewable energy."

    Dependency is dependency.

    Just because it's slightly quirky, largely experimental and mildly eccentric, doesn't mean it's not viable.

    I've lived my life by that.


    Note: the above is a metaphoric comparison. If the reader would like to comment on the validity of that metaphor, any such input is very welcome. However, the author does not wish to receive comments asking what about Citgo, what about Getty.


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Denise

We Made the Move! – Denise

Greetings and salutations! :-) (anyone who knows me knows I'm not really that formal in person!)

I was a *really* early mover. (I have been in NH for just over a year now). I had signed a lease to move to NH from MA in August 2003, mailed my ballot in, and moved into my new apartment. I had been considering moving North for some time, and with starting graduate school last year, I needed to not be paying $1300/mo + utilities anymore. Besides I like the liberty minded independent streak in the whole state. (Just look at how many vanity plates are out there on NH roads. Freedom of expression is certainly alive in that way up here!)

I am currently working in MA, and living in Southern NH. I expect to change jobs within the next year, but right now I am biding my time while pulling together funding to purchase a small camp. I will eventually rebuild it, in order to make it affordable for me to own my own home.

Some people complain about the high property tax rates up here. But considering the average cost of the homes themselves here, compared with living in a major metro area such as Boston/NYC/DC as I was, the amount spent in taxes is much lower, as the housing prices are lower for much nicer homes. As a comparison, my parents live in northern NJ. When I told them what the annual taxes were on a home of the same selling price as their home might go for, they were amazed how much less per year they might pay in NH, for a home of similar size but including a nice amount of acreage near Concord, and are seriously considering moving up to retire. And as more freestaters move up here, we should all join the NH taxpayer association (as all local New Hampshire-ites should!) in order to work on reducing the rates even more, allowing us to influence how our money will be spent in our communities, and attempt to move more toward a smaller government.

In any case, if a single woman can make it work to move up here, and be considering purchasing a home, I think most anyone can.

I hope my little note is useful to some, and I am on the local porcupine list (ladypantherrr) if anyone would like to ask me more.

- Denise, Nashua area


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