Free State Project: Libertarian Community and Political Influence in New Hampshire

The Free State Project aims to concentrate Libertarians in New Hampshire to have a profound impact on state politics and culture.

### The Free State Project: Building a Libertarian Homeland in New Hampshire
* 🏞 The Free State Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to concentrate libertarians in New Hampshire to create a **libertarian homeland**.
* 🗳 Libertarians are a small minority in the US (1-5% of the population) and by concentrating in one state, they aim to have a **significant impact on politics and culture**.
* 🏛 New Hampshire, known as the "Live Free or Die" state, is currently ranked as the **number one state for freedom** in the entire country.
* 👪 Over the past 20 years, the Free State Project has seen thousands of libertarians move to New Hampshire and **build a strong community**.
* 🛣 The ultimate goal is to **nullify the power of the federal government** and allow states to **experiment with different policies**.
* 🎉 The annual Porcupine Freedom Festival (PorcFest) in New Hampshire is a week-long camping event that brings together **thousands of libertarians** for various activities and discussions.
* 🐉 The humorous suggestion of creating an advertising campaign where Democrats and Republicans thank the Free State Project for getting libertarians to leave their states reflects the idea of allowing people to "**vote with their feet**" and creating **diverse geographic polities**.
* 💬 While discussions about libertarianism are common, the community also engages in a wide range of activities and forms bonds based on **shared values beyond just political ideology**.

### The Free State Project: Libertarianism in New Hampshire
* 🌲 The Free State Project in New Hampshire aims to create a **libertarian haven** and **influence state policies**.
* 🎓 New Hampshire's unique experiment with the Free State Project is seen as **healthy for the libertarian movement**.
* 🗳 Free Staters have made significant inroads in New Hampshire politics, with **libertarian Republicans comprising about half of the state House of Representatives**.
* 💰 New Hampshire is known for its lack of income and sales taxes, funding public services primarily through **property taxes, liquor sales, and visitor taxes**.
* 🏫 A key libertarian policy achievement in New Hampshire is the **Education Freedom Accounts**, where tax dollars can be used for **homeschooling or private school tuition**.
* 🛣 The state's small legislative districts allow for **more direct interaction between representatives and constituents**.
* 🤝 Free Staters are generally welcoming to newcomers, although New England's traditional skepticism of outsiders may still be present.

Andrew Heaton: "Pitch Me on the Free State"

The Free State Project is an effort to recruit 20,000 pro-liberty activists in New Hampshire, the freest state in the country. Join our community today! https://www.fsp.org/Join/

If you want liberty in your lifetime and want to have fun while achieving it, the Free State Project is for you!

This channel aims to gather and organize various videos from across YouTube in order to give a sense of what is happening in New Hampshire and what the Free State Project is like.

FreeStateProjectNH

Eric Brey is a state senator in Maine and the executive director of the Free State Project in New Hampshire.

The Free State Project aims to gather Libertarians in New Hampshire to establish a Libertarian stronghold and has been successful in impacting the state's politics and culture.

Brey will be moving to New Hampshire at the end of the year to fully take on his role as the executive director.

The Impact of the Free State Movement in New Hampshire

The Free State movement in New Hampshire is creating a community of like-minded individuals, with a strong focus on building a free society.

There is a concern about the increasing polarization of the country as people move to states based on their political beliefs, potentially dividing the nation.

However, the Free State movement aims to nullify the power of Washington DC and focus on building independent communities, serving as a model for other states.

The Free State Project's Goal and Strategy

The Free State Project aims to create a libertarian stronghold in New Hampshire, promoting a decentralized and independent libertarian community.

Their strategy involves using advertising to encourage libertarians to move to New Hampshire, while humorously depicting Democrats and Republicans thanking the project for leaving their states.

The project, now in its second generation, has successfully attracted thousands of people to New Hampshire, fostering a strong and independent Liberty community across the state.

Encouraging Libertarians to Move to New Hampshire

The Next Generation of libertarian families is taking root in New Hampshire, making it a crucial time to join the community.

The 21st Porcupine Freedom Festival in June offers a unique experience to connect with over 2,000 like-minded Libertarians and participate in a variety of events.

The festival focuses on decentralization, allowing individuals to create their own hubs and engage in activities beyond just discussing libertarianism.

The Impact of Community on Political Identity

The feeling of being an embattled minority can affect how people express their political identity.

As individuals become more settled in their identity, they tend to move away from intense political discussions.

In-person libertarian communities in New Hampshire offer a unique and healthy environment compared to online interactions.

Anti-immigrant rhetoric is sometimes seen on the political left when immigrants do not align with their preferred political party.

There is a paradox in progressive cities like Austin and Portland, where strong pro-immigrant sentiments coexist with resistance to the changing population and resources.

In New Hampshire, there is a struggle between the Free State movement and the accusation that they have taken over the Republican Party, leading to a significant libertarian presence in the state legislature.

The Role of Political Parties in the US Political System

Being part of the Democratic Party has given Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exposure and influence, which she might not have had as an independent candidate.

The US political system's structure and state laws limit the options for party membership and political influence.

Running under a major party gives candidates a significant advantage over third-party candidates due to the plurality-based voting system.

The Challenge of Political Representation in a Large Country

Individuals in a large country like the US have minimal input into the political system due to the sheer size of the population and the number of elected officials.

In contrast, smaller districts allow for more personal and direct relationships between representatives and the people they serve.

Vermont's failed attempt at a single-payer healthcare system serves as a lesson for larger states and the entire country, highlighting the challenges of implementing such a system on a national scale.

Additionally, New Hampshire has pioneered school choice through education freedom accounts, allowing parents to use tax dollars for homeschooling or private school tuition, setting a standard for educational innovation.

New Hampshire's Innovative Policies and Tax System

New Hampshire is leading the way in education funding with a pioneering income cap phase-out and the "follow-the-backpack" proposal.

The state is committed to being one of the least taxed in the country, mainly relying on property taxes and revenue from liquor sales.

Despite criticisms, New Hampshire's approach to taxation and government fees is aimed at providing economic freedom for its residents.

Moving to New Hampshire: A Welcoming Community

Moving to New Hampshire means entering a community that prides itself on being incredibly welcoming, with the Free State movement dedicated to helping new residents get involved.

The state's culture is focused on embracing newcomers, offering support, and encouraging participation in local events.

The Free State project also hosts a weekly podcast called the Porcupine Report, featuring a range of guests and streaming on various platforms.