Welcome to our state, please help keep it
by Keith Murphy • 08/29/05 • Guest Commentary
DEAR NEW neighbor,
Welcome to New Hampshire. You have made a tremendous decision in moving to
this state, this hidden jewel. It is a not a decision you will regret.
New Hampshire's crime rate is consistently ranked among the lowest in the
United States, while the per capita income is among the highest. For two years
in a row, New Hampshire has been recognized for having the highest quality of
life in the nation, as well as for being the healthiest state in which to raise
a family. For a small state, New Hampshire's terrain is amazingly diverse. From
the tallest peak in the Northeast to the shores of the Atlantic to idyllic New
England towns, you will be stunned at the sights you will see and the
experiences that await you. New Hampshire is as America was, and we welcome
you.
In adopting New Hampshire as your home, you have adopted a sacred duty: to
keep it the special and unique place that brought you here. To do this, you
must understand why New Hampshire remains the fastest growing state in the
Northeast while our neighbors struggle with social and economic instability.
The key to New Hampshire's high quality of life is that our government is
small. Our citizens have wisely avoided a general sales or income tax, starving
our government of the main sources of funds that have created bloated, ravenous
bureaucracies in other states.
We know that the proper purpose of government is to protect people from
each other, not to run a giant charity operation. Even if it were moral to take
money from people and give it to others, government is inefficient at it
anyway, and taking care of the needy is too important not to leave to voluntary
church and community groups.
New Hampshire's tiny government, small tax rates, and high incomes and
quality of life must seem a contradiction to people in other states. The truth
is that because our government transfers less money to the needy, we're more
likely to help our family members and neighbors in private ways, without a tax
agency getting involved.
Most of our legislators still respect our inherent rights as a free people,
rights that have been declared archaic and legislated away in other states. In
New Hampshire, we are still free to carry a firearm in public if we choose.
Again, this fact combined with our minuscule crime rate must strike people from
elsewhere as a contradiction. The truth is that because we are free to carry
firearms, criminals live in fear of us and not the other way around.
We are free to not wear a seatbelt, or to not wear a motorcycle helmet.
Most of us do these things anyway, given that it is good common sense, but we
recognize that legislating common sense is a dangerous slippery slope we don't
want to approach. We are happy to make our own decisions as adults, and to let
our neighbors make theirs, knowing that each of us must live with the
consequences of our decisions.
In short, it is because we are still free that we are so successful as a
state. We ask no more of our neighbors than absolutely necessary, and when it
cannot be avoided we keep the decision-making as local as possible. Thus,
whereas most of the "local" decisions nationally are made by counties or
regional authorities, we in New Hampshire still prefer to do nearly everything
at the town level.
If a native should give you a sideways glance upon learning of your foreign
origin, please understand it is because many thousands of people have been
drawn here by our freedoms and the resulting opportunities. So many of these
people fail to realize what makes New Hampshire such a great state, and upon
arrival they set about voting for bigger and bigger government. The tragedy is
that they could unwittingly change New Hampshire into the place from which
they've just escaped. This year's cigarette tax increase and law mandating
bicycle helmet use for children are just the latest holes in the dike.
Please, now that you know what makes your new home so special and unique,
help keep it that way. Vote for candidates and policies that will result in
smaller, less intrusive government.
"Live free or die." Welcome home.
Keith Murphy, originally from Baltimore, Md., is an adviser to the New
Hampshire Liberty Alliance and a candidate for selectman in Manchester's Ward
3.
Opinions expressed in this weekly column aren't necessarily those of The
Union Leader. All readers are welcome to submit essays of up to 750 words for
the editor's consideration. Please include a word or two about yourself, along
with name, address, phone number and, if possible, a photograph. Mail to: Your
Turn, c/o the New Hampshire Union Leader, P.O. Box 9555, Manchester, NH 03108,
or by e-mail to opinion@unionleader.com. All submissions become property of The
Union Leader and can't be returned.
More media articles about the FSP
These media articles are maintained on a non-commercial basis by
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and research purposes. (For information regarding "Fair Use", see
US Code Title 17,
Chapter 1, Section 107).
| Original article:
| [Hardcopy, page 5]
|
| Date:
| 03/10/05
|
| Title:
| You missed the boat on Free State
|
| Author:
| Calvin D. Pratt
|
| Publication:
| HippoPress Manchester
|
You missed the boat on Free State
by Calvin D. Pratt • 03/10/05
To the editor:
You had a chance to print a community-based story on
the local Free Staters exploring the human face of the project. What
drives people to give up their old lives to move to this state and start over
again'? Can it really be a desire for self ownership and a life free of
coercion? That is the real story.
Instead you chose a patchwork interview and website hash of misquotes and
poorly reported misconceptions concerning this nation's, and our project's,
core ethical beliefs. A divisive strategy driven by a need to provoke conflict
instead of opening communication channels.
Will Stewart had the opportunity to engage in real journalism at a level
where his story was being lived. However he declined, or was ordered, not to
accept our invitation to join our meeting as a true journalist would have.
Instead a photographer was sent to record the gathering. By the time of the
meeting Will's story was already pre-written. No human element desired.
Free Staters accept these offers to disclose our convictions and hopefully
avoid the misperceptions hyped in your story. We're in the same ship as every
other American. We're as concerned as others about the looming crises facing
this state and nation. If this ship goes down so do we all for only the
wealthiest can afford a lifeboat. For this we are endlessly caricatured by the
press but seldom honestly portrayed.
Before condemning our solutions, at least legitimately hear us out. You
missed that opportunity this time around. We have a traditional view of
community-based solutions that never make it to the table for discussion
because the media lacks the ability to set aside their prejudices. How sad.
We'll keep trying though. I have faith that there is a principled media
dedicated to fairness still alive somewhere. If you ever want the Porcupine
Perspective on local or state issues you know where to reach me.
Quality of life score: 0 (nothing new here)
Comments: Hippo's commitment to journalistic integrity is trumped by scare
tactics debasing true communication.
Calvin D. Pratt
Goffstown
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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).
| Date:
| 12/29/04
|
| Title:
| Kat Dillon radio interview
|
| Author:
| Open Mike
|
| Publication:
| WKBK Radio
|
Kat Dillon radio interview
by
Open Mike • 12/29/04
Radio interview with Kat Dillon - head of FSP Volunteer Support
- on the Open Mike show on WKBK 1290 in Keene, NH. The interview lasts
about 50 minutes.
Downloadable versions:
Streaming version:
If you have Real Player, there is also a Real Player streaming
version (lo-quality mono).
Note: If you get the message "RTSP is not a registered protocol" and you
have Real Player 10, you can try configuring RTSP as follows:
- Click on Tools on the Real Player menu bar then select Preferences
- In the popup window open the Content category
- Select Media Types
- Click on the Advanced tab and
- In the Other Media section of the popup window click the box alongside
Real-Time Streaming Protocol
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).
| Original article:
|
harrybrowne.org/radio.htm
|
| Date:
| 01/01/05
|
| Title:
| Kat Dillon on Harry Browne show
|
| Author:
| Harry Browne
|
| Publication:
| Harry Browne Radio Show
|
Kat Dillon on Harry Browne show
01/01/05
Although Harry Browne is not an FSP supporter, he did speak kindly about an
email from Kat Dillon (head of FSP's Volunter Support) on his 1/1/05 radio show. Here is the excerpt:
Play •
Download
Harry also speaks about this in his journal. Currently here, but may be moved
to the archive
here.
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).
| Original article:
| [Hardcopy, page 6]
|
| Date:
| 03/03/05
|
| Title:
| They want to take over the state
|
| Author:
| Will Stewart
|
| Publication:
| HippoPress Manchester
|
Scanned PDF version of this article
They want to take over the state
Free Staters love freedom and they're coming to your neighborhood
by Will Stewart •
wstewart@hippopress.com • 03/03/05
They're coming. Some, in fact, are already here. They say they don't want
to take over, but they advocate changing state government from within to fit
their laissez faire philosophy. Consider yourself forewarned.
"We're not sure when we'll meet our goal," said Free State Project
Merrimack Valley coordinator Calvin Pratt. "We have 6,400 signed up now and
we're getting about two recruits a day, or about 14 a week."
The Free State Project started with a goal of recruiting 20,000
"liberty-loving people" to move to a single state, where they would work within
the existing political framework to reduce the size and scope of government. In
2003 the group voted "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire as its destination of
choice.
Project organizers had hoped to reach the 20,000 mark, whereupon all
participants would begin moving to the Granite State, by late 2005 or early
2006. However, at the current rate, it won't happen until sometime in 2023.
However, Pratt said the group may see more sign-ups as a result of
November's presidential election.
"A lot of people just can't deal with four more years of Bush," he said.
While it may be a bit frustrating, the fact that the 20,000 mark isn't even
close hasn't stopped 100 or so people from moving here already. For the most
part, the Free Staters have settled in the southern half of the state, Pratt
said. He moved from New Jersey to Goffstown with his wife shortly after New
Hampshire was selected as the Free State destination.
Another recent arrival is Keith Murphy, who, according to his essay at
fieestateproject.org, moved to Manchester at the end of January to "escape the
big-government mentality of my native Baltimore."
"I moved here on a New Year's Eve whim, on a gamble, and there's not a day
that passes that I reflect that it was the wisest decision I ever made," he
wrote.
When he moved, Murphy had money to sustain him for just six weeks, but he
quickly found a community planning job in the central part of the state. But
not all are so fortunate.
To help new arrivals adjust to New Hampshire, Pratt said already-settled
Free Staters are resurrecting the concept of mutual-aid societies. These
associa- tions are designed to provide economic and social services such as
medical benefits and old-age pensions for members. He said such organizations
went out of vogue with the creation of the welfare state last century, but are
in line with the Free State Project's ideas.
"It's only temporary help, it's not a lifestyle or an entitlement," he
said. "And it's based on reciprocity, in which those receiving help today will
be helping others tomorrow."
Still, he said, many Free Staters, who hold strong beliefs on the virtue of
self reliance, are reluctant to accept what they see as charity.
"It hasn't sunk in that it's not charity. It's been a hard sell -we're a
spiny bunch," he said.
Those who have settled in the Menimack Valley gather once a month at
Milly's Tavern to discuss strategy and make plans, like testifying in Concord
on liberty-related bills. They call themselves the Merrimack Valley Porcupines
because, like porcupines, they are "cute and non-aggressive, but you don't want
to step on them."
The moniker has been attached to the national group as well, and serves as
a fitting description of the group's members and ideals, Pratt said.
"We are reasonable people," he said. "We're not here to take over. We want
to persuade people. We don't use force, but that's not to say we won't defend
ourselves."
Photo caption: Area Free Staters met at Milly's last week to plot to take
over the state.
Photos by James E.D. Cook
[FSP note: This article received a letter to the
editor discussing the problems with its inaccuracy.]
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).
Live free (or try)
by James McElroy • May/June '04
Yale political science lecturer Jason Sorens '03PhD has a plan to take over
New Hampshire. But first, he has to find 20,000 libertarians. And they have
to be willing to relocate.
So far, more than 5,000 people have signed up for his Free State Project,
an Internet-based effort (www.freestateproject.org) whose members pledge to
move to the "Live Free or Die" state once membership reaches 20,000. In
cities, towns, and rural areas, the immigrants will "exert the fullest
practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of
civil government is the protection of life, liberty, and property."
Besides influencing elections and the decisions of government officials,
the Free Staters also hope that, as private citizens, they can better provide
services often managed by the government, including education, healthcare,
economic regulation, and banking. Furthermore, they want to offer positive
examples of how private citizens can make a difference in the world without
appealing to the government for help. On the project's web site, one young man
describes how he plans to build a house in New Hampshire that would only use
renewable energy, and then help those who are interested build their own.
The Free State Project's audacious quest has been written up in the New
York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and Playboy, among others.
"We're by far the biggest libertarian story of the past year," says Sorens,
wryly.
But despite his self-deprecating sense of humor and his smooth,
apple-cheeked face (which makes him look younger than the undergrads he
teaches), do not underestimate his seriousness. Sorens began developing his
philosophy of politics while still a high school student in Houston. Three
years ago, as a 24-year-old working on his Yale political science dissertation
on "autonomy movements" around the world, he got the idea for his very own
autonomy movement, dedicated to scaling back government interference and
encouraging citizens to take responsibility for welfare of the poor, education,
and public health and safety.
"This is about the only political philosophy that can appeal to all
political interests," says Sorens. "We've got voluntary socialists and social
conservatives. Whatever your views, you can live happily under such a system."
But will a group with such divergent cultural and economic ideals actually
manage to work together in New Hampshire? Sorens thinks so, for the simple
reason that the members' often contradictory social belief systems are
generally subservient to their common desire for unfettered personal freedom.
They don't want anyone to force them to live any one way, so they should be
able to resist the temptation to force others to live their one way.
Sorens says the project is necessarily linked to his work as an academic,
but he keeps it out of the classroom; he never brings up his political opinions
with his students. And while the project was a natural extension of his
dissertation, he insists it is definitely not a mere experiment. "The ultimate
goal is to have a better society," he says. Nothing more, nothing less.
JAMES MCELROY '95
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).
| Original article:
|
www.projo.com/ap/ne/1084990732.htm
|
| Date:
| 5/19/04
|
| Title:
| KY man walking to NH to join the 'free state'
|
| Author:
| Kate McCann (AP)
|
| Publication:
| Providence Journal
|
Kentucky man walking to New Hampshire to join the 'free state'
by Kate McCann • Associated Press Writer • 5/19/04
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The movement to bring thousands of people to New
Hampshire to change it into a "free state" with fewer laws and smaller
government is attracting all sorts, including a 20-year-old Kentucky man who is
walking here in search of a life free from marijuana prosecution.
Randall Wolfe of Corbin, Ky., calls himself a dedicated member of the Free
State Project. He drives to his job as a manager trainee at a local Taco Bell
with the project's Web site spray-painted on the hood of his 1997 Dodge Neon.
The New Hampshire state motto, "Live Free or Die," is along the side. He spends
his spare time as a Kentucky recruiter for the project.
Wolfe figures New Hampshire, where project members hope they can grow in
numbers enough to influence legislation and policy, is his best shot for
marijuana reform. Wolfe began experimenting with the drug at the age of 10 and
smoking regularly at 14. He has been arrested twice for possession.
The project, the brainchild of a Yale graduate student, chose New Hampshire
as its laboratory in nationwide balloting in October. Critics in the chosen
state have accused the group of wanting to turn it into a haven for drug abuse,
lax gambling laws, legal prostitution and gun supermarkets.
Project members dispute that depiction, though they don't deny they want to
eliminate "victimless crimes" such as prostitution and personal drug use.
Members have diverse motives and goals, ranging from promoting
home-schooling and school vouchers to fighting gun laws. The common thread is
that all value independent thinking, project spokesman James Maynard said.
"We've struggled long and hard for freedom where we were, with mixed
results. Then suddenly we found there were others thinking and acting for the
same goals we were," Maynard said. "Like any wise group, we have a wide
umbrella and allow people of different viewpoints to be heard and work with
us."
Marijuana advocates seem to have an affinity for free-staters, however. The
project was featured in the May-June edition of "High Times" magazine and
supports NORML, a group working to decriminalize marijuana.
All of which is Wolfe's motivation for walking more than 1,000 miles to
what could be his new home.
To prepare for his journey, he walks about an hour a day and has tried to
cut back on cigarettes.
He plans to leave Corbin on Friday with the $300 he saved up, a week's
worth of clothes and a new pair of Nikes. Project members are sending him
donations for expenses, he said, and have offered him a place to stay when he
arrives.
In New Hampshire, possession of any amount of marijuana is punishable by up
to one year in jail. Wolfe said he accepts that he might never live to see
marijuana legalized.
"If it takes the rest of my life, it takes the rest of my life," he said.
"If it doesn't help me out, it might help the next generation."
His exact plan to lobby for marijuana legalization is vague, but he said he
intends to use his time in New Hampshire "voting for the right people" and
looking for guidance from Free State leaders in New Hampshire.
Around 30 families have moved to New Hampshire since October, joining the
230 project members already living here. Maynard said he expects 300 families
to move in this summer.
Wolfe is timing his walk to arrive for next month's Porcupine Festival in
Lancaster. Organizers hope the June 21-27 gathering will be the project's
largest ever.
Wolfe has taken a month's leave from Taco Bell.
"I pretty much told them, if they didn't hear from me in 30 days, I was
either dead or not coming back," he said.
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).
| Original article:
|
www.projo.com/ap/ne/1086367283.htm
|
| Date:
| 06/04/04
|
| Title:
| Libertarian Presidential nominee is member of FSP
|
| Author:
| Kate McCann (AP)
|
| Publication:
| Providence Journal
|
Libertarian Presidential nominee is member of Free State Project
by Kate McCann • Associated Press Writer • 06/04/04
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Libertarian Presidential nominee Michael Badnarik, a
Texas computer programmer, may soon became a New Hampshire Porcupine.
The 49-year-old Austin resident is a member of the Free State Project, a
libertarian-movement seeking to bring 20,000 like-minded people to New
Hampshire to lobby against big government and for individual freedoms.
The porcupine, the project's logo, was selected to show the public that
project members can be friendly and cuddly, but prickly when stepped on,
project organizers said.
Member count is at around 5,800 people.
Badnarik secured the nomination at the Libertarian Convention in Atlanta on
Sunday, surprising party followers by beating out Hollywood Producer Aaron
Russo and Cleveland radio personality Gary Nolan.
Badnarik has been a member of the project for three years, since shortly
after the project was conceived in the form of an essay written by a Yale
graduate student.
"I heard about it and throughout it was a good philosophical concept - an
alternative of trying to spread the Libertarian votes over a wide range"
Badnarik said from his campaign headquarters in Austin. "I like the idea of
trying to concentrate votes."
Badnarik still has plans to move to New Hampshire after the 20,000
membership mark is reached. But his immediate priorities are finding additional
members for the Libertarian Party and breaking the cycle of the "wasted vote."
"We want people to know we are a viable party in favor of individual
rights, personal responsibility," he said. "And the best way to effect change
of government is to send a message to Washington - we are not happy with the
status quo."
A Massachusetts-based spokeswoman for the project attended the convention
as a delegate and was impressed with Badnarik, who she has met at earlier Free
State functions in New Hampshire.
Amanda Phillips described him as an anti-war constitutionalist who was very
much in favor of limited government
But she doubts his candidacy will change the course of the project.
"What we're really focused on is quality of life on the state level,"
Phillips said. "Later on, after we can improve things at the state level, then
we might approach the national level."
Badnarik acknowledged that the project can't endorse any one candidate,
since they don't consider themselves a political organization. But he hopes his
affiliation with it will boost his campaign in New Hampshire, which is
considered a swing state in the general election.
"The publicity that the Free State Project has already gathered may lend a
little synergy to my campaign in New Hampshire," he said.
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).
NH Reforms Nonresident Carry Rules
12/01/04
The New Hampshire legislature's Joint Legislative Committee on
Administrative Rules approved revised gun licensing regulations that make
anyone with a valid license to carry from any state, not just their own home
state, eligible for a concealed carry license in New Hampshire.
Previously, only home state licensees were eligible. Evan Nappen, vice
president of the Free State Project (FSP), reported that the link to the new
"Chapter Saf-C 2100 Nonresident Pistol/Revolver License" rules as:
www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c2100.html
For example, Nappen noted, Florida offers a "shall issue" carry license to
any US citizen. With one of those licenses anyone can get a New Hampshire carry
license, even if one's home state does not issue (such as New Jersey). The
application for a "New Hampshire Non-resident Carry License" may be downloaded
from the following link:
webster.state.nh.us/safety/nhsp/documents/dssp260.pdf.
"Gun Owners of New Hampshire (GONH)--
www.gonh.org, the National Rifle Association and individual Free State
Project (FSP) members working together can take credit for this change," Nappen
said. Specifically GONH President and state Rep. Elbert Bicknell (R-73), GONH
Director Sam Cohen, and NRA Board of Directors Member Scott Bach, Esq. (NJ)
were the primary movers of this important change and deserve thanks, said
Nappen, who also directly participated in the request for the change. This
change greatly affects FSP participants who come from home states which do not
offer a license to carry. Important thanks and credit are also due to New
Hampshire Department of Safety Assistant Commissioner Earl M. Sweeney, Nappen
noted.
This article is provided free
by GunWeek.com.
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).
Participants
in New Hampshire
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