The Democrats have complained about that traditional Granite State aphorism, and are trying their best to replace it with the more modern and all-encompassing Arbeit Macht Frei.
Posted on 10/03/2003 10:02:24 AM PDT by Living Free in NH
KEY POINTS
BACKGROUND: New Hampshire is the state that libertarians have
adopted for their project to “revolutionize” government.
CONCLUSION: This is an open country and libertarians may move
to the Granite State at will, but they shouldn’t be surprised if their
far-out ideas don’t go over with the rest of the population.
The libertarians are coming – invited or not. New Hampshire by a vote of libertarians nationwide is their first choice for their “Free State Project.”
They aim to attract up to 20,000 of like-minded individuals to move to New Hampshire over the next three years to eventually “revolutionize” its government. By that, they mean to shrink government by privatizing many of its services and by expanding personal liberties. They are also highly tax-averse.
Does anyone remember being asked if we wanted our state government to be taken over in this fashion? Who is asking for this invasion?
How nice of the libertarians to attempt a takeover, even when they cooked up the idea without consultation with the non-libertarian inhabitants.
Many of us think our state government is already lean and we differ with the libertarians on what an essential service is.
Take schools. Some libertarians believe parents should pay tuition for their children’s schooling or home school them. They propose raising scholarships for those who can’t afford to pay tuitions by collecting private donations.
Most New Hampshire residents, we believe, think that a public school education open to all up through grade 12 is one of the mainstays of a democracy. Nobody has to go without or beg for financial support because the schooling is paid through tax dollars.
Some libertarians also advocate decriminalizing marijuana use, prostitution and other “victimless” crimes. And they’re big on gun rights.
The Libertarians, many of whom can afford to be self-sufficient because of their upscale incomes, are part of a fringe political group.
The few libertarians who have run for high public office in New Hampshire in recent years have reaped slim support. So plumping up their numbers should, in theory, give them greater leverage at the ballot box.
America is an open country and the libertarians have a right to move to New Hampshire as well as any other group. Yet New Hampshire residents aren’t required to welcome them with open arms or to embrace their ideological form of escapism.
Whether 20,000 of them will actually pull up stakes and move to New Hampshire remains to be seen. The state’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” is a stirring one, but most of us who endure the daily grind to make do know it shouldn’t be taken literally.
So while Gov. Craig Benson, who is working hard to pile up conservative credentials, may encourage the libertarians to relocate to New Hampshire, these newcomers should be aware that other residents of the state will view their many proposed changes with a broad streak of old-fashioned Yankee skepticism.
It’s nothing personal – just a difference of opinion over the role of government and individuals in an increasingly complex society.
To respond to this editorial e-mail the following: letters@telegraph-nh.com or solomond@telegraph-nh.com Be sure to include contact information if you would like your letter to appear as a letter to the editor.
It is a telling sign of the times when Americans who believe in a limited government living within the bounds of the constitution are consider a fringe group.
The Democrats have complained about that traditional Granite State aphorism, and are trying their best to replace it with the more modern and all-encompassing Arbeit Macht Frei.
A verse from the Hillary songbook. You'll hear some "conservative" FReepers singing the same tune when confronted by a consistent supporter of individual liberty.
"Politics of Envy" alert
All over. There are about 150 Porcupines already resident there, and they're advising and assisting the first batch of *pioneer porkypines* not waiting for the rest of the crew to jump on board. Some are going to try to make it before this year's early snowfalls [better hurry!] some are going to wait until early next spring, and a few others have set this coming News Year's as their deadline, weather not withstanding.
But you'll find such things as discussion and advice regarding hospitable NH locales, generally thought to be more in the northern portion of the state, at the New Hampshire FSP *NH Live Free or Die* discussion group webboard *here*.
-archy-/-
Those racists!
-archy-/-
Not so. They're already in third place in numbers, if you count the very numerous NH category of *Undeclared* as a *party*.
The emerging political arm of the FSP Porcupines may drive the Democrats' numbers even more clearly to the bottom of the deck and kick the Republicans into second place behind the *Undeclared*, or the newcomers may prefer to build their own political party [whatever it's called, look for the porcupine to be its symbol/mascot, just as the elephant and burro are for the Republicans and Dems. But it's a good bet that some new NH FSPers will register as Republicans, as well.] and knock the Democrats even further down into a fourth position last place. That should offer some interesting commentary during the 2008 NH primary....
But for a start, let's just see what can be done with just 20,000 Porcupines. And, of course, a quarter-million NH *Undeclared*:
NH State voter registration, September ’02 2001
[after list purge]
REPUBLICANS 245,791/ 37.3%
UNDECLARED 242,028/ 36.8%
DEMOCRATS 170,405/ 25.9%
-archy-/-
Arbeit macht Frei translates to *Work makes freedom,* in English, the meaning of which approximately refers to *earn your freedom here in this labour camp*.
It was the slogan found above the gates and arches of several fairly notorious German prison and penal facilities, including most notably the one at Dachau, done in very ornamental wrought-iron lettering.
Following WWII, portions of that former Munich suburban facility were used by the US Army as the US Army/Europe criminal confinement facility.
Glad to assist. Also let me know if you'd care to be added to the FRee Republic FSP *PorcuPing* list for notification of FSP-related news stories or discussions.
If so, just post to that effect in response to this message, or feel free to send me a FReepmail.
Likewise, if you're interested in the continuing activities of the Western branch of the FSP, just let me know, and you can be similarly added to the Wyoming and/or Montana group lists, or to one of the fairly new FSPWEST groups, still in the sorting-out phase.
-archy-/-
damn, I'm 23 and I sure as hell wouldn't call my income "upscale". Hmm, thinking about it, "downtrodden" might be a better adjective.
But, if by that they mean we are the character of people who have a drive to be self sufficient and prosperous, then yeah. Hey, I'm trying to start my own computer repair and internet consulting company.
I can't wait to check out your fine State and get a feel for where it looks good to settle in :)
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