Ran across this article “The prickly problem of a New England secessionist utopia” by Emily Cataneo at The Baffler about PorcFest 2018.
Extract:
Some of those Free Staters just want New Hampshire to become more libertarian, but others, including the Foundation for New Hampshire Independence, want the state to become its own country. Carla Gericke, president of the FNHI, is a friendly-faced middle-aged woman who wears sensible shoes and carries a vape. She and her fellow secessionists have a strong vision for what the country of New Hampshire could become. The Yankee Hong Kong. A land of German-style autobahns with no speed limits. Gambling halls like Monaco’s. Cafes like Amsterdam’s. “Granite State of Mind,” the YouTube parody of Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” could be its national anthem.
Gericke, who grew up in South Africa and moved to New Hampshire in 2008, after a pit stop in Silicon Valley, says that she came to libertarianism from the left. Part of her presentation during the roundtable involves strategies for seducing leftists to the libertarian movement.
“I wouldn’t approach it as libertarianism. I would approach it as localism when talking to your neighbors,” says Gericke. She adds, “The federal government is an abusive partner,” she says.“They beat us, they steal our stuff and lock us up. And then they say, you can’t get divorced. I feel like that argument does work well in the social justice warrior crowds. Everyone understands divorce. Everyone understands people getting hurt.”
Part of that engagement with the left, says Gericke, involves invoking the discontent and fear surrounding our new president. She calls Donald Trump the “gift that’s gonna keep on giving” for countercultural and secessionist movements like hers.
“Suddenly the leftist states are talking secession,” she says. “When we say it, it’s like, you’re a militia, you’re crazy white people in New Hampshire. But when the left says it, it’s palatable.”
Why, asks an audience member, would the United States government just let New Hampshire go?
“Good question,” Gericke says. “In the end, they wouldn’t have a say. Are they going to roll the tanks in?”
Read more about the independence movement, the Free State Project, and PorcFest at THE BAFFLER.
Out on the trail with 2 dogs when it’s 17F makes me… a Granite Stater! 
The cold hardly bothers me anymore and I love the crunch of snow under my boots. Whenever I hear that sound I think how bizarre it is to be walking on frozen water that fell from the sky! Grrtz, grrtz.
I’m not sure what’s been most instrumental in my acclimatization:
* Proper winter outergear
* Woolen underthings
* Living here 15+ years
* THE ROUTINE COLD SHOWERS I NOW TAKE <— longevity tool
In any event, I’m glad I learned to love winter like some people love the bomb… or bong… or sumthang?!? lol
Yesterday, I had a productive meeting at the Independence Inn with Michael Rectenwald, who is running for president on the LP ticket. Thanks to Dennis Pratt for putting it together.
I first discovered Michael years ago during his brouhaha with NYU for being the “un-PC professor”. This was round the time I was leaving NYC for the Free State of NH, graduating from City College with an MFA, where I too had had to suffer through the academic macroaggressions of circular commie “logic”, and his story resonated deeply with me.
My goal yesterday was to make sure Michael got an overview of what we are accomplishing in the Free State: our history, the reality, the vision–our bright, bright future!
Being a libertarian outside of NH can be demoralizing, so I wanted to make sure that as he proceeds on the campaign trail, he has a story of hope–the undeniable success of the Free State movement–to share with Libertarians and the liberty-curious.
Michael understands he’s not going to win the presidency, rather, he wants to help best spread the message of liberty.
This story MUST now include what we have, and will accomplish, in the Free State.
Based on our conversation, both Michael and his campaign manager, Lori Price, expressed a “take-my-business-card” desire to move!
Look, we are now in the Next Gen Phase of building THE base of the world’s best and brightest libertarians (except Milei, granted).
New Hampshire IS the beacon of liberty.
NH is the place where taxes are actually being cut, and liberty is actually still expanding. This is thanks, in great part, to Free Staters willing to stand up and say, Enough is enough.
We are the future.
We are the beacon of liberty to show the world that individual liberty, property rights and personal responsibility lead to economic prosperity, progress, and human flourishing.
We are the LIVE FREE OR DIE state, where you can choose to come LIVE FREE AND THRIVE!
The Free State of New Hampshire, despite national Democrats attempts to marginalize, is still in business for the First in the Nation Primary next week. With Vivek dropping out and Nikki destroying an entire forest in paid-for junk mailers, and of course, Trump and DeSantis, no one seems to know what is about to happen. Join Tammy and Carla for their takes on what’s coming up on Tuesday!
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
AKA: You become what you think.
Do you even KNOW your own thoughts?
That’s the #1 reason to journal, btw. To capture your thoughts, to see what is delighting or troubling you. To notice patterns, cycles, and ruminating loops.
By way of example, years ago when I started journaling, I became aware of a Super-Cunt who lived rent-free in my mind.
Only by isolating her, could I start to deal with her crap. But I could only isolate her by becoming aware of her.
This is one of the gifts of journaling.
Other advantages I’ve discovered to daily journaling:
* You think faster on your feet! Why? Because you know what you think!
* You become a better writer. Practice makes perfect, and by adopting a daily habit of writing, you will improve this skill.
* Sticking to one daily habit builds trust with yourself which can then be leveraged with other habits you want to adopt.
* You create a record of your life.
Yes, because the modern term is “journaling,” but really, it’s a diary and that’s OK!
Coverage of CACR 20 and HB 1130 from Manchester Ink Link.
“For Carla Gericke, Chairwoman and President Emeritus of the Free State Project, one of the primary reasons is a fear of the United States dollar losing its status as the world’s reserve currency, which would drastically harm the U.S. economy if it occurred.
Both Gerhard and Gericke believe that the separation would be peaceful with Gerhard stating that the move would emulate portions of the New Hampshire Constitution already in place such as Part 1, Article 10, which guarantees the “right of revolution.”
Gericke told the committee that the state should have the right to peacefully secede from the United States through democratic means and felt that the violent is a tool of authoritarianism, something she believes this legislation is meant to circumvent. Following the hearing, she stated that if federal response to secession was violent then it would serve as proof that secession was needed, comparing it to a domestic abuse victim blaming themselves for being abused.
“If the answer (to secession) is that (the federal government) is going to murder us because they don’t agree with our positions, then it’s probably a good time to leave the relationship,” she said. “When someone is abusing you and then tells you, ‘You can’t leave or I’m going to kill you,’ that doesn’t seem like a healthy relationship.”
She added that with the ability for people to “vote with their feet” making it easier for many to reject the values of governments in places where they might currently reside, Gericke agreed with Gerhard that the move toward greater local autonomy of some sort everywhere is inevitable.
“I think we’re just so caught up in these fear paradigms and in these little boxes that we just look at the world and we’re like ‘this is how it was and this is how it must be’, but I’m like ‘no, what can we do?’” she said.
In this video, Carla Gericke testifies in support of HB 1130 to create a study commission to explore whether NH should secede from the Union. Supporters and opponents of independence, rightfully, have questions! Let’s get the conversation started!
HB 1130: STUDY COMMISSION
Honorable Chair and Committee Members,
Thank you for your time today. My name is Carla Gericke. I am the chairwoman and president emeritus of the Free State Project, a movement that is concentrating tens of thousands of liberty lovers in the state of New Hampshire. I am a naturalized citizen, originally from South Africa, and an author, activist, and attorney.
I was the Republican nominee for NH Senate in District 20, and received 46% of the vote in 2020, and in 2022 I ran for NH state house in Ward 11 in Manchester, and lost by about 200 votes. I am a proud Granite Stater because more than 15 years ago, I consciously picked NH as my forever home because of the “Live Free or Die” ethos of our great state.
I am here to testify IN SUPPORT OF HB1130.
Last year, pro-independence supporters caught a lot of flack… we heard your feedback and drafted HB1130 in order to try to address concerns expressed by the legislature.
It is fair to say, we don’t have all the answers yet. But we should start having the conversations. It’s worth letting our imaginations soar…
Let’s say,
As an independent nation state, NH will be prosperous and peaceful, along the lines of small, successful countries like Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, or Switzerland. We would have four times the size of Iceland’s population. We would easily be able to work with our neighbors to trade, much like the countries do in the Schengen Area in Europe. Many American retirees already receive their social security pensions in foreign countries like Mexico.
A study committee would create a SAFE SPACE to explore the ideas of NH sovereignty. Could we run on nuclear and export energy? Could we have competing currencies? Could we become the crypto capitol of the world? Could we be the Switzerland of the North? The only thing stopping us from becoming even more awesome is the federal government destroying our wealth.
This study committee would be a good compromise between the two positions. I know you all want the idea of peaceful secession to go away, but here’s the reality. It isn’t going to, and the urgency is going to become more and more pronounced.
Why? Because $40 TRILLION DOLLARS in debt is NOT sustainable. The federal government’s hamfisted response to Covid showed us all, they have NO RESPECT for you as an individual or as an American, and definitely not as a Granite Stater–to them, we are the equivalent of District 12 in the Hunger Games. They claimed they owned your body and could force you to do things against your will.
I say NO. I say reclaim YOUR RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE, and support this bill so that we are not caught flatfooted or rushing around in a mad panic when the time comes.
Let us PLAN. Let us have hard discussions now. Let us start to grapple with the very real risks for what a future yoked to the federal government looks like: more harm, more poverty, more decline in our standards of living.
We can do better.
We demand better.
We know there are better options.
It starts with an appetite for change.
It starts here today.
It starts with you.
It starts with the bravery to do the right thing for Granite Staters and start the conversation. I implore you to support HB 1130. My great-grandmother was imprisoned in a British concentration camp during the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, where 25% of Boer women and children died. She always talked about the 5 Ps: Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Let’s prepare properly for our futures together, please.
I’d be happy to answer any questions.
“Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?” ~ Marcus Aurelius
AKA:
People in glass houses should not cast the first stone.
Take the log out of your own eye first.
This is a tough one because it requires you to be aware of your own shortcomings, but also, it’s tough because we often most resent in others that which we recognize as failings in ourselves.
Here’s a hack I’ve learned: When I feel a twinge of envy, I stop and try to identify WHY. Is this something I would like more of in my own life? If yes, what concrete steps can I take to put me on the path to getting it?
If I feel the need to be critical or tear someone down–this is not an instinct I naturally have, having actively tried to reduce these urges in myself because I understand you don’t have to step on others to get where you want to go (unless you want to be part of the club of assholes who step on others)–again, I like to pause and analyze WHY.
There is usually a reason that has very little to do with your nemesis and a lot more to do with YOU.
USE this desire, this emotion, this feeling, not to REACT, but rather to focus your FUTURE PURSUITS.
NH is considering a Constitutional amendment, CACR 20, to peaceably secede from the US if the national debt reaches 40 trillion dollars. This is my testimony in favor of the bill on January 12, 2024 before NH’s State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee.
My testimony for CACR 20: Secede if national debt exceeds $40 trillion
Honorable Chair and Committee Members,
Thank you for your time today. My name is Carla Gericke. I am the chairwoman and president emeritus of the Free State Project, a movement that is concentrating tens of thousands of liberty lovers in the state of New Hampshire. I am a naturalized US citizen, originally from South Africa, and I am an author, activist, and attorney.
I was the Republican nominee for NH Senate in District 20, and received 46% of the vote in 2020, and in 2022 I ran for NH state house in Ward 11 in Manchester, and lost by about 200 votes. I am a proud Granite Stater because more than 15 years ago, I consciously picked NH as my forever home because of the “Live Free or Die” ethos of our great state.
I am testifying today in SUPPORT of CACR 20, which is similar to last session’s CACR 32, the original independence bill put forth, except, this time, the sponsors added a qualifying event, a trigger, stating that if the Federal Government’s debt reaches 40 TRILLION DOLLARS, NH can proceed to PEACEFULLY secede.
Remember, the decision SHOULD AND WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF ORDINARY GRANITE STATERS.
FORTY TRILLION DOLLARS.
Let’s stand still with that insurmountable and almost unfathomable number for a second.
FORTY TRILLION DOLLARS.
Million seconds = 11.5 DAYS
Billion seconds = 32 YEARS
Trillion seconds = 31,000 YEARS
The federal government has failed us.
It no longer follows the Constitution.
Ushers in Undeclared, unconstitutional wars.
Ushers in inflation, devaluing our money by almost 100%. If you feel like you are getting poorer, you are. If you feel like you can’t get ahead, you can’t, and this is SQUARELY the fault of the federal government’s monetary policy.
Look at the Coivdmania response. The farther the center of control is from the people, the worse it is for people. A smaller, more responsive government accountable to Granite Staters is what CACR20 will give us.
Granite Staters are being abused by DC. What do we advise victims to do when they are being abused?
TO LEAVE.
Last time I was here on this issue, I spoke about a NATIONAL DIVORCE. Since then, this issue has started trending.
But more troubling, you are starting to see the idea of CIVIL WAR trending too. This is a problem.
We who support NATIONAL DIVORCE DO NOT SUPPORT VIOLENCE. In fact, we are here today, and will continue to work on this issue because
VIOLENCE is the tool of authoritarians, tyrants, and control freaks. In other words, it is the tool of the federal government and bad people who support killing people they disagree with.
Instead of telling us you will punch us in the face or lock us in the basement if we try to leave, let’s start having open and honest discussions about what needs to take place.
We have the right to ask for a DIVORCE. This is all today’s proposed amendment is: an opportunity–a DEMOCRATIC OPPORTUNITY–for Granite Staters to decide whether our relationship with the federal government is worth salvaging.
I say it is NOT, and everyone should know, we would ALL be better off if we went our separate ways.
What are we taught about abusers?
They will tell you, you can never leave.
They will tell you they will change.
They will tell you it’s your fault.
We all know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again. It is insane to place your trust in a government who is creating this much debt. Imagine if you ran your household like this?
As an elected official, it is YOUR duty to at least create an OPPORTUNITY for Granite Staters to DECIDE our own destinies.
We have a right to decide, as enshrined in the New Hampshire Constitution, whether to stay with this sinking ship, or chart our own, new, better and brighter future.
No future challenge related to independence is insurmountable: Where there is a will, there is a way.
Today, your ONLY duty is to democracy, which every single one of you claims to support. YOU need to vote in favor of this OPPORTUNITY because it is NOT up to you. It is up to individual Granite Staters.
We are called the live free or die state. When we become independent, we will also be the Live Free and THRIVE state. Afford us the opportunity to TRY. Thank you for your time, I’d be happy to answer questions.