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| − | In the [[Antebellum]] period, a '''free state''' was a state where [[slavery]] was outlawed.
| + | [[File:Porcfest 2015.jpg|thumb|right|Porcfest 2015, one of two annual gatherings of FSP members]]'''Free state''' has two common meanings. One is the older less common meaning in the [[Antebellum]] period where a '''free state''' was a state where [[slavery]] was outlawed. |
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| − | ==Modern "Free States" in the USA== | + | The second is a newer and more common meaning in use since the late 1970s in [[America]] among [[libertarian]]s, [[conservative]]s, conservative [[Christian]]s, [[Patriot]]s, and social activists. In 2001, libertarians founded The [[Free State Project]] (FSP) <ref>https://freestateproject.org/</ref> to recruit at least 20,000 libertarians to move to a single low-population state. In 2003, they selected [[New Hampshire]] as the target state. Once 20,000 libertarians sign a pledge to move to New Hampshire, then a political migration will result in libertarians having greater political power to elect office holders than would be the case if libertarians remain spread across all 50 states.<ref>{{cite news |title=Libertarians Pursue New Political Goal: State of Their Own |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/27/us/libertarians-pursue-new-political-goal-state-of-their-own.html?pagewanted=all |first=Pam |last=Belluck |publisher=''[[The New York Times]]'' |date=October 27, 2003 |accessdate=January 10, 2015}}</ref> On February 3, 2016, the Free State Project announced via social media that 20,000 people had signed the Statement of Intent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FreeStateNH/status/694763068010713088?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet|title=Twitter: We Did It|accessdate=March 30, 2016}}</ref> In a press conference later that day, the movement's leader said the relocation had been triggered and that signers were expected to follow up on their pledge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://freestateproject.org/blogs/free-state-project-officially-announces-20000-signers-100-reached|title= official press conference announcing success in reaching 20,000 members|accessdate=March 30, 2016}}</ref> The organizers are now shifting their efforts from recruiting the 20,000 participants to encouraging those who have signed up to actually move to New Hampshire. The success of the project will not be known until 2021 and will depend upon people honoring their pledge to move and the conditions created in the new New Hampshire communities. In the meantime, the Free State Project holds an annual "Porcfest" among its members. |
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| − | A modern '''Free state''' in the USA can be defined by what it is not, more than what it is.
| + | When the Free State Project reached 5,000 pledges, it conducted a mail ballot to determine its target state, with New Hampshire gaining the most votes, but Wyoming coming in second place. About 20% of the members did not want to migrate to New Hampshire and withdrew from the project. A number of the departing FSP members formed a new movement to promote libertarian migration to Wyoming called [[Free State Wyoming]], which has more emphasis on gun rights than does the FSP. Since then some commentators have tried to spin the term "free state" away from its meaning as a libertarian state to a state with liberal gun laws. |
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| − | A free state is not:
| + | ==Qualities of free states== |
| − | * [[Gun control]]
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| − | * [[Welfare state]] - [[Nanny state]]
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| − | * [[Mass surveillance]] and [[Big government]] of the [[Police state]]
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| − | * [[Deficit spending]]
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| − | * High [[taxation]]
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| − | * [[Liberal values]]
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| − | * [[Blue state]]
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| − | ===List of "Free" States===
| + | ''See also:'' [[Essay: Free States Movement]] (Individuals moving from [[Democrat]] states to [[Republican]] states) |
| − | * American Redoubt
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| − | * [[Idaho]]
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| − | * [[Wyoming]]
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| − | * [[Montana]]
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| − | * [[Arizona]]
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| − | * [[Kentucky]]
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| − | * [[Louisiana]]
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| − | * [[Alaska]]
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| − | * [[Mississippi]]
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| − | * [[Texas]]
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| − | * [[Utah]]
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| − | * [[Kansas]]
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| − | * [[New Hampshire]]
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| − | * [[North Carolina]]
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| − | * [[Georgia]]
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| − | == Naughty State List ==
| + | A free state suggests: |
| − | The "naughty" list of [[unfree state]]s - [[Nanny State]]s was established by polling readers/listeners of [[:Category:Conservative Blogs|conservative blogs]], [[:Category:Conservative Podcasts |conservative podcasts]], [[:Category:Conservative Websites|conservative websites]] and [[:Category:Conservative Forums|conservative forums]].<ref>http://walkingtofreedom.com/forum/index.php?topic=2.0 Accessed March 28, 2014 </ref>
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| − | Below is the list with some of their [[gun control|gun grabbing]] [[Constitution]] violating, [[Oath]]-[[treason|breaker]] [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] [[elitist]] [[politician]]s<ref> http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th-2012.html Accessed March 29, 2014</ref> <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_richest_American_politicians Accessed March 29, 2014 </ref> politicians<ref> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_members_of_the_United_States_Congress_by_wealth Accessed March 29, 2014 </ref>:
| + | * Respect for the [[Bill of Rights]] |
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| − | * [[California]] - [[Diane Feinstein]] (worth $41.78 million), [[Nancy Pelosi]] (worth $26.43 million), [[Barbara Boxer]], [[Henry Waxman]], [[Alan Lowenthal]] (CA-47), Howard Berman, Bob Filner, Jane Harman, Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Tom Lantos, Susan Davis, [[Los Angeles]] Mayor [[Eric Garcetti]], [[San Diego]] Mayor [[Bob Filner]] | + | * [[Libertarianism|Libertarian values]] |
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| − | * [[Colorado]] - [[Jared Polis]] (worth $72.09 million) | + | * [[Conservative values]] |
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| − | * [[Connecticut]] - [[Richard Blumenthal]] (worth $79.11 million), [[Joe Lieberman]]
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| − | * [[Delaware]] - former Sen. [[Joe Biden]]
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| − | * [[Hawaii]] - [[Brian Schatz]]
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| − | * [[Illinois]] - [[Chicago]] Mayor [[Rahm Emanuel]] (worth $12 million with $6 mil salary)<ref> http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1426034.html Accessed March 29, 2014 </ref>, [[Brad Schneider]] (IL-10), [[Jan Schakowsky]] (IL-9)
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| − | * [[Maryland]] - [[Benjamin Cardin]],
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| − | * [[Maine]] - [[Chellie Pingree]] (worth $28.58 million)
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| − | * [[Massachusetts]] - John Kerry (worth $193 million), [[Ted Kennedy]] (was worth $163 million), [[Barney Frank]] [D, MA-04]
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| − | * [[New Jersey]] - [[Frank Lautenberg]] (was worth $116.1 million), Steve Rothman
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| − | * [[New York]] - former Sen. [[Hillary Clinton]], [[New York City]] former Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] (worth $31 billion), [[Charles Schumer]], [[Mario Cuomo]], [[Jerrold Nadler]], [[Anthony Weiner]], (sexting scandal), [[Gary Ackerman]], [[Steve Israel]], [[Eliot Engel]], [[Nita Lowey]], [[Jerrold Nadler]],
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| − | * [[Oregon]] - [[Ron Wyden]]
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| − | * [[Rhode Island]] - [[David Cicilline]] (RI-1)
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| − | * [[Vermont]] - Bernie Sanders
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| − | * [[Washington State]] - Maria Cantwell (worth $5.56 million)
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| − | * [[Washington DC]] - [[President]] [[Barak Obama]]
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| − | "The [[East Coast]] and [[West Coast]]s had the most [[liberal states]] including [[Vermont]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Delaware]], [[New York]], [[Hawaii]], [[Oregon]], [[Washington]], [[Maine]], [[California]] and [[New Jersey]]." <ref>http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brie Accessed March 28, 2014</ref>
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| − | ===Qualities of the Free States===
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| − | A free state suggests:
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| − | * Respect for the [[unalienable rights]] of the [[Bill of Rights]], especially the right to [[self-defense]]/[[Gun rights]] of the [[Second Amendment]]
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| − | * [[Libertarianism|Libertarian values]]
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| − | * [[Conservative values]]
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| | * [[Ludwig von Mises]]' [[conservative]] [[libertarian]] [[Austrian economics]] and [[Fiscal conservatism]] -[[Capitalist]] [[Conservative economic policies]] of [[Ron Paul]] | | * [[Ludwig von Mises]]' [[conservative]] [[libertarian]] [[Austrian economics]] and [[Fiscal conservatism]] -[[Capitalist]] [[Conservative economic policies]] of [[Ron Paul]] |
| − | * [[Essay:Modern Survivalism]]: "[[Essay:if times get tough, or even if then don't]]", [[Essay:Debt is financial cancer]], [[Essay:Tax is theft]], [[Renewable energy]], [[Financial security]], [[Essay:You are in control of your life]]
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| − | ** [[Essay:Invest in tangibles]] - [[Precious Metals]], [[Copper-jacketed lead]] and [[Firearms]]
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| − | ===Walking to Freedom Project===
| + | ==Walking to Freedom Project== |
| − | '''Walking to Freedom''' is an initiative created by [[libertarian]] [[survivalist]] [[podcast]]er [[Jack Spirko]] ([[The Survival Podcast]]) where [[citizen]]s are encouraged to pull up stakes and to move to a more open and [[free state]] -- to [[vote with your feet | vote with their feet]]. States are broken down into two categories, the "naughty list | + | '''Walking to Freedom''' is an initiative created by [[libertarian]] survivalist [[podcast]]er [[Jack Spirko]] ([[The Survival Podcast]]) where [[citizen]]s are encouraged to pull up stakes and to move to a more open and free state—to vote with their feet. States are broken down into two categories, the "naughty list and all the rest. People moving out of oppressive states are asked to post a "goodbye letter" addressed to the state and state government officials regarding their decision to move out of their state. On the [[website]]'s (http://walkingtofreedom.com) [[Forum]] groups for the "non-naughty" states are used to welcome people considering or actually moving to that state. |
| − | and all the rest. People moving out of [[:Category:Oppression|oppressive]] states are asked to post a "goodbye letter" addressed to the state and state government officials regarding their decision to move out of their state. On the [[website]]'s (http://walkingtofreedom.com) [[Forum]] groups for the "non-naughty" states are used to welcome people considering or actually moving to that state.
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| − | ==== Vision ====
| + | For a few years Jack Spirko worked with and supported the Free State Project of New Hampshire. Spirko says, "While it is not in the cards for me to move to New Hampshire the concept to me is the hallmark of a republic. Individual member states band together to form a Federal Republic of States. In our case we call this 'The United States of America'. [[Citizen]]s have [[freedom]] of movement from state to state and the citizen is seen as the most [[sovereign]] entity with the most rights, next in the chain is the sovereignty of the member states and at the bottom of the sovereignty chain is the [[Federal government]]." |
| − | For a few years Jack Spirko worked with and supported The [[Free State Project]] of [[New Hampshire]] (http://freestateproject.org) Spirko says, "While it is not in the cards for me to move to New Hampshire the concept to me is the hallmark of a [[republic]]. Individual member states band together to form a Federal Republic of States. In our case we call this 'The United States of America'. [[Citizen]]s have [[freedom]] of movement from state to state and the citizen is seen as the most [[sovereign]] entity with the most [[unalienable rights|rights]], next in the chain is the sovereignty of the member states and at the bottom of the sovereignty chain is the [[Federal government]]. | |
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| − | He continues, "Much of this system is broken today, the [[Federal government]] is filling many roles it isn't supposed to fill (see [[Tenth Amendment]]). State governments then fail to stand up for their citizens or worse they often pile on more [[big government]] [[Nanny state]] restrictions and encumbrances upon [[liberty]]. There is one component of the system though that is still functioning, movement between the states. The final act of a citizen [[voting]] in a [[republic]] is to [[vote with their feet]]. While I love the work being done in [[New Hampshire]], I realized like me there were many people who just can't for one reason or another move there. What dawned on me then though was if we simply create an exodus from the 5-10 worst states it does many things.
| + | == See also == |
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| − | # "It sends a message to ALL state governments, your citizens understand a republic and their power and are damn well willing to use it. [[:Category:Oppression|Oppress]] your citizens and your most valuable producers (citizens and companies) will leave for a better environment." (See [[Atlas Shrugged]]'s [[Galt's Gulch]])
| + | *[[Essay: Free States Movement]] |
| − | # "States with more [[liberty]] like [[Idaho]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Wyoming]], [[Montana]], [[Texas]], [[Arizona]], etc. will attract more liberty oriented individuals. Not for the purpose of transforming their new home states states but to at minimum hold the line and prevent said states from becoming less [[libertarian]]."
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| − | # "It makes the entire movement far larger then just The [[Free State Project]] or other groups like [[Free State Wyoming]] or the [[American Redoubt]] movement. By gaining maximum exposure and reach, Walking To Freedom, is a rising tide that will float all boats. It will actually bring more people to states like Wyoming and New Hampshire by fostering competition among the member states."
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| − | # "Most current oppression in the US is actually at the [[Big government|Federal level]]. There are a handful of states that go above and beyond that, it is easier to target those 5-10 on the 'naughty list' and let the other 40-45 states make their case as to why you should move there, then it is to try to get anyone upset with their state to choose a single option as a way out."
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| − | # "[[Freedom]] is highly personal. To some [[taxation|tax freedom]] is the main concern, others are more concerned with freedom over types of housing, some with [[Second Amendment|freedom to keep and bear arms]] yet others simply want what I call 'operational freedom'. Operational freedom is simply the freedom to conduct business. Many [[entrepreneur]]s are less concerned with the overall [[tax rate]]s and more concerned with the permits, [[license]]s, fees, hoops one must jump though just to open the doors."
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| − | # "By fostering [[competition]] among all the states not on the 'naughty list' we have a much larger influence. It brings public awareness to the issue and starts making many states that are at the far end or middle of the spectrum to start thinking about the [[cause and effect|consequences]] of being on the naughty list or having the list grow just because they have encouraged us to do so. Yes the list can get bigger in time if necessary. We use 'disapproval voting' to establish the list."
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| − | Spirko elaborates, "When I consider all of the above it is clear to me that Walking To Freedom is a true manifestation of the principle of a [[republic]]. Sure many states may not make the 'naughty list' that many of us feel should. We can only hand out so many demerits you know but, the other side is those states will find that far less citizens choose them as a place to move to. I am quite sure in time that this movement will result in tens of thousands of 'goodbye letters' to state and local officials. While that is half of the equation, I wonder how the [[Chamber of Commerce]] of say a state at the bottom of the receiving end will feel if they see hundreds or even thousands choosing state relatively close to them."
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| − | Spirko also wants to help with yet another problem: "I have constantly heard in this debate how citizens of State X leave and move to State Y due to being fed up. Yet they turn around and then try to turn State Y into the very State X they just left behind" For example, [[retirement|retiring]] [[California]]ns moved to formerly [[conservative]] [[Oregon]] and turned it into a [[liberal]] [[Nanny state]] just like California. "Perhaps if citizens were to move for more than one reason this would be mitigated? By fostering conversations between movers and for lack of a better term stayers (perhaps recruiters) those who are fed up can find a state that is most closely aligned with who they are."
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| − | It is often the case that a person will move over a [[economic|fiscal]] issue but not agree with a social issue where they land. The state where they moved to may resent them and feel they are trying to turn where they moved to into the place they just left behind. The reality though is different, they likely have no desire to increase taxes they just want more social freedom, they don't necessary want you to pay for it. If such a citizen were able to find both more fiscal freedom and more social freedom, likely they and their new neighbors would be more happy. In the end we all must learn to get along but good match making is a great place to start.
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| − | The key is either way, the oppressive state loses a producer and are denied the opportunity to tax them and denied the privilege of having them conduct business and participate in commerce within their state. Did you get that word? Privilege! Yes the states should understand when citizens have freedom of movement, the presence of a productive member or society in that state is a state's privilege not a states right.
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| − | In the end I feel our members will agree that it is relatively easy to identify the 5 or so worse offenders when it comes to liberty. The states that are just a few shades above them are not something I feel we need to be very worried about. Likely free states are going to attract quite a few of their citizens anyway. The key is to zero in on a small naughty list and give the citizens of those states a message, your fellow Americans would love to have you as neighbors. We all have some unique things to offer, each state has pluses and minuses but flatly about 40 of us look like entirely different nations then the 5-6 at the very bottom.
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| − | For instance I have no desire to return to my home state of [[Pennsylvania]], it has fallen too far for my taste from the ideals of our founders. Yet if I compare Pennsylvania to [[New Jersey]] it is like Comparing East and West [[Germany]] during the [[Cold War]]. I mean if you are a freedom loving citizen of New Jersey I would love to have you in Texas and I am sure the folks in New Hampshire would as well, but to be blunt the Delaware river isn't the [[Berlin wall]]! Escape is easy and not far away. If Pennsylvania is as far as you can manage it is still a move away from one of the most oppressive governments in the nation. A state where you can't even have a unloaded and cased [[gun]] locked in your trunk without being considered a [[felony|felon]]. For that matter New Jersey is a state that won't even let you pump your own [[gasoline|gas]].
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| − | In the end though liberty is personal, it can only really be defined at the individual level. Yet when some governments encroach too far measures must be taken. Our [[Founding Fathers]] knew all [[government]]s do this, they founded a [[republic]] so the citizenry would have many options. You can [[vote]] with dollars and do business with companies you agree with. You can vote with a ballot and elect your leaders. When you serve on a [[jury]] you have a final check on unjust law and a jury can indeed [[jury nullification|nullify]] such a law with a simple vote of not guilty. The ultimate vote though is simply walking away. The states on the naughty list are already by and large on the verge of fiscal crisis if not all out [[bankruptcy]], they can't afford to have their most productive citizens leave. Yet they should all be warned that the citizens well, they can by and large very well afford to leave. Not only can they afford to but they can often increase their quality of life by doing so. In other words they need you a hell of a lot less then you need them.
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| − | The vision of Walking to Freedom is simple, to encourage tens or even hundreds of thousands of citizens to simply walk away from the most oppressive and [[national debt|fiscally irresponsible]] states in the union. To allow them to find the best new home, to find friends, jobs, [[church]]es, communities, etc that will welcome them with open arms. Many people feel moving is too hard to accomplish, we simply want to show them that it is far more difficult to live in oppression and abuse than to rent a U-haul and make some new friends.
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| − | Once the naughty list is established we will move into action. All the naughty list states will have a dedicated 'goodbye letter' board. Where we encourage all of their citizens to leave a letter to their governor, state and federal reps, local officials and local news outlets telling them why they are leaving and what is being lost by their exodus. All other states will get a board where their citizens, officials, chambers of commerce etc. may freely make a case as to why their state is a good choice. Those looking to move can discuss what different states have to offer, job availability, local communities, finding housing, etc.
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| − | If you are an official in a state on the naughty list be warned. This movement may seem like the vision of one "[[redneck]] in Texas" to you, but this red neck isn't alone. He is also smart enough to know this is bigger then himself or his state of Texas. As much as I want my fellow [[American]]s to join me in the Lone Star State, I want them to leave behind oppression even more. If I could throw a level that moved 5 million productive freedom loving people out of the five most oppressive states tomorrow and Texas wouldn't get a single one of them, I would do it at once.
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| − | In summary I always say a [[American Revolution|fight for liberty]] anywhere is a fight for liberty everywhere. While that is true it is also a fact that when oppression is sufficient, everywhere but where you are is better. For those on the 'naughty list' that is the choice you have given to your citizenry, we simply aim to help them make the best choice for them and assist them with their walk to liberty. Simply put for those states on the list, this isn't something we did to you, it is something you have done to yourselves, we are just shining a light on it."<ref>http://walkingtofreedom.com/forum/index.php?topic=4.msg4#msg4 Accessed January 17, 2014</ref>
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| − | ==See Also==
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| − | ** [[Vote with your feet]] - [[Strategic relocation]]: [[Essay:Owning land is true wealth]] and [[Personal-Localized-Regional-State-National-Global]] - Move to a [[Free state]] with [[Firearms freedom]] and [[free market]]s
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| − | * [[American Redoubt]] - [[Idaho]], [[Montana]], [[Wyoming]], [[Utah]]
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| − | * [[Free State Wyoming]] - [[Molon Labe!]] by [[Boston T. Party]] and [[Free State Project]] - [[New Hampshire]]
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| − | * [[Strategic Relocation-North American Guide to Safe Places]] by [[Joel Skousen]]
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| − | * [[Rawles on Retreats and Relocation]] by [[James Wesley Rawles]]
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| − | * [[Cumberland|Cumberland Redoubt]] - [[Tennessee]] and [[Kentucky]] - [[M.D. Creekmore]]
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| − | * [[Essay:If I wanted to save America]]
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| | + | ==External links== |
| | + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXSw0nYKiU8 "Libertopia", a full length documentary firm] |
| | + | *[https://freestateproject.org/ Official website] |
| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| − | {{reflist|2}}
| + | <references/> |
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| | + | [[Category:United States Political Terms]] |
| | [[Category:United States History]] | | [[Category:United States History]] |
| | + | [[Category:Slavery]] |
| | [[Category:American Civil War]] | | [[Category:American Civil War]] |
| − | [[Category:American Redoubt]]
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| | [[Category:Politics]] | | [[Category:Politics]] |
| | [[Category:Conservatism]] | | [[Category:Conservatism]] |
| − | [[Category:Conservative]] | + | [[Category:Libertarianism]] |
| − | [[Category:Conservatives]]
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| − | [[Category:Libertarian]]
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| | [[Category:Libertarians]] | | [[Category:Libertarians]] |
| − | [[Category:American Redoubt]] | + | [[Category:United States Political Terms]] |
| − | [[Category:Idaho]]
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| − | [[Category:Wyoming]]
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| − | [[Category:Montana]]
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| − | [[Category:Arizona]]
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| − | [[Category:Kentucky]]
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| − | [[Category:Louisiana]]
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| − | [[Category:Alaska]]
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| − | [[Category:Mississippi]]
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| − | [[Category:Texas]]
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| − | [[Category:Utah]]
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| − | [[Category:Kansas]]
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| − | [[Category:New Hampshire]]
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| − | [[Category:North Carolina]]
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| − | [[Category:Georgia]]
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