A report from one of Illinois' own, Scott Bludorn, who has migrated to New Hampshire with the Free State Project.
From Scott:
The Free State Project's ( FreeStateProject.org ) first annual New Hampshire Liberty Forum just concluded. The Free State Project exists to coordinate an intentional political migration of limited government activists to a small population state so as to maximize their effectiveness.
A brief recap.
I will tell you that I am more convinced than ever this intentional political migration will be successful in achieving the momentum necessary to restore a Constitutional Republic. There already close to 500 Free Staters settled in NH and they have forged strong alliances with existing NH limited government grassroots. As you think of that number bear in mind the entire state population of NH is comparable to DuPage County. A very real opportunity exists for a Ron Paul Presidential campaign to slingshot with a win in a high visibility state. Remember, it was a cantankerous NH electorate that gave Buchanan a protest vote win simply to poke a stick in the eye of King George 41.
The weekend itself was a crescendo
People started arriving on Thursday for the activity of a working tour of the Capitol. We had 70-80 people descending into legislative committee hearings and many Republican Rep.'s asking us in the corridors "how quick can you guys get here". Former Republican Governor Craig Benson welcomed the Free State Project and Joe McQuaid, publisher of the Manchester Union Leader said "it was the only right thing he did in his term" during his presentation Saturday.
The breaking news Friday night was Michael Badnarik's endorsement of Ron Paul for President. I like Mike on a personal level but his endorsement, well ...( I'll leave it up to the reader to finish this sentence)
By Saturday nights John Stossel Keynote event, there were 350 FSPers in the hotel. Because of the size of the event I only had about twenty seconds with John during the book signings and left him with an information package on the Arlington .Hts. Eminent Domain fight telling him it documents an Eminent Domain trend that is growing to alarming proportions. The Corporate-Government syndicate engaging in outright theft can best be described using the "F"-ism word. It is widespread and growing rapidly. Walmart, Home Depot and in our case Dayton Hudson are routinely enlisting government thugs to steal. He told me he would review it on his flight back. So who knows.
After the Stossel dinner I headed out to a reception for Ron Paul at a early movers home and there were 150 in attendance and over $14,000 was raised. Dr. "No" gave a red meat speech to the crowd that was professionally taped (for YouTube?). He addressed the Liberty Forum on Sunday but that was after my flight home left. Long travel day and Southwest lost my luggage. Arrggghh ! -- but it just arrived to my door as i write.
Again... and as was the case during my September visit, the NH natives will banter the "libertarian" word about without any prompting at all and when you mention you are considering a move as part of the FSP migration they almost universally offer encouragement and tell you to rush.
The Republican presence at this event was astonishing. Various Republican or Republican oriented indigenous organizations are forming tight bonds with the early movers. New Hampshire Liberty Alliance,The Republican Liberty Caucas, Concerned New Hampshire Taxpayers and others.
What also struck me was Elected State Republicans are also heading up the NH chapter of the Fully Informed Jury Association. Absolutely amazing.
Where does living in freedom rank in your life's priorities?
Take the time to re-visit the Free State Project. People relocate for a whole variety of reasons ranging from family, climate, recreation and shifting employment. Consider adding living in real liberty to that list and know it can happen in NH with blinding speed due to a viable Paul campaign.
At the very least, make a commitment to clear a week or two in your December calendar to take a WORKING vacation in the Free State of New Hampshire. Mingle with the very libertarian locals. Look at the state and walk precincts for the next president of the United States.
The Paul campaign will build a very broad and eclectic coalition ranging from Pro-Lifer's, non interventionists, Constitutionalists, controlled immigration folks, John Birchers, We the People Congress, libertarians and disillusioned fiscal conservatives. Make no mistake this will take maximum effort but this is VERY real folks.
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US Pembroke , New Hampshire
Saturday, February 24, 2007
US Congressman Dr. Ron Paul was still receiving applause as he walked out the door of a private home in Pembroke on Saturday evening after speaking to 150 supporters who donated over $14,000 to seed his bid for the presidency. Paul arrived at 9 PM and stayed to mingle with the adoring crowd until 11:30 PM.
While visiting New Hampshire Concord
Paul’s speech, which was recorded professionally by California Iraq
Supporters believe that Paul’s message can unite fiscal conservatives, republicans, libertarians, constitutionalists, and others who are disillusioned with the direction in which the country is headed, in the cause of less government and reasonable spending and on getting the country back on track with regard to foreign policy.
Checks should be mailed to:
The Ron Paul 2008 PEC 837 W. Plantation Drive Clute TX 77531
So far: $14,000
