“What I propose is a Free State Project, in which freedom-minded people of all stripes … establish residence in a small state and take over the state government,”



— Jason Sorens,



Founder,



Free State Movement







The last time we addressed the stated goal of the Free State movement's founding father to take over the legislative workings here in New Hampshire we received quite a bit of angry blow-back.



In large part we were told, often in less polite terms, that Sorens had renounced that intention or that this was never really the goal, all the while calling on Free State libertarians to move to the Granite State.



Well, as they say, the lie has been put to those protestations.



During a recent Free State Project conclave, Carla Gericke, who is listed as a FSP board member and president, called for a hastened move to New Hampshire by the thousands more pro-liberty activists who have pledged a move to the Granite State.



Based on the current recruiting rate, Gericke told those attending the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, it could take until 2018 to reach 20,000.

But Gerick made it clear, she didn't want to wait until 2018, according to reporter Kimberly Houghton writing for the Union Leader newspaper.



“I want to do it in the next two years,” she said, explaining the only way to accelerate the move is to begin major fundraising efforts and secure sponsors to help raise about $270,000 — a figure she believes could make the move feasible.



If the goal of 20,000 members by 2015 sounds suspicious, it should. That would be in time for a next full presidential election cycle, which would include not only state offices but most of the state's congressional delegation.



Interestingly, Gericke said the FSP wants to fund its high-speed recruiting effort by raising $270,000 to fund 501c3.



But a 501c3 is a nonprofit that under the Internal Revenue Code, “may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.”



It goes without saying that the stated intent of the FSP is to be political and to influence legislation. In response to our earlier editorials, supporters have admitted using the more politically akin Republican Party to make inroads here in New Hampshire while the FSP builds its numbers. And among the questions de rigueur that reporters now ask is whether a candidate is a Free Stater ... and not always does the Free Stater want the affiliation known.

This is just one example that strikes at the core of the problem with the Free State Project — it's attempt to stay under the radar screen and to work clandestinely in some fashion.



Whether individual voters are persuaded to the cause of liberty and justice for all as Free Staters represent the notion is not so much our concern. That they should do it openly and honestly is.



Unfortunately, Gericke has sent a mixed message that will fall short of quelling criticism of the Free State Project. On the one hand she has made clear her organization's goal of controlling the state's legislative agenda. On the other, her desire to hide behind tax exempt, nonprofit status screams of political skulduggery — which we believe will fail to pass IRS muster.



