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Why Wyoming?
Wyoming
was selected for many reasons including its existing culture of
freedom; its low population; and its business-friendly laws. Click
here for a detailed analysis.
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What is the goal of Free State Wyoming?
To
encourage, assist, and reward the migration of liberty-minded
Americans to Wyoming in order to maintain and further its relative
laissez-faire Western culture; to eventually create a haven for
those Americans who desire not to live as, or under, government
supremacists.
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Who can join the Free State Wyoming?
According
to the FSW Statement
of Intent, those who formally reject fraud, theft, and aggression
as political and social expedients, and who desire to relocate
to Wyoming as good neighbors for the peaceable goals of political
liberty, free trade, and voluntary cooperation.
(NOTE:
There is a geographical/time frame incumbent upon members, fully
explained in the SofI. Those who cannot meet such are welcome
as formal "FSW Associates." Those who generically support
the goals of the FSW but cannot directly participate at all are
welcome as "FSW Friends.")
There
are really only Two Rules of Life
1)
Do all you have agreed to do.
2)
Do not encroach on other persons or their property.
Such
is the basis of all Natural Law, and is agreed upon by nearly
all religions of the world. The Two Rules were the original basis
for the the United States of America, which attracted global immigration
to these shores by millions who risked their lives to live under
such principles. If this appeals to you, then Wyoming could be
your next home.
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But really, but kind of people are you looking for?
Folks
who will honor their agreements, work hard, don't trouble their
neighbors, and get along. It's really that simple.
There
is one other proviso in our Statement of Intent: that members
be of "demonstrably ethical character." FSW founder
Boston T. Party believes the clause vital. As Benjamin Franklin
once wrote:
"Only
a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become
corrupt, they have more need of masters."
Samuel
Adams wrote:
"Neither
the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the
liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally
corrupt."
Several
prospective members have mildly objected to the clause "demonstrably
ethical character" (though without much force of reason).
Allegedly it smacked of puritanicalism or religiosity. (Interestingly
enough, those who complained most about that clause have generally
been the most fractious, rude, and cantankerous.)
In
short, honoring one's agreements and not encroaching goes far—very
far—but it does not quite embrace the entire issue. The
FSW seeks people who are civil. Libertarian types are usually
highly individualistic, though too often strident, dismissive,
and uncordial. If we contemplate being neighbors, then civility
and virtue are clearly vital traits to be sought and cultivated.
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Wyoming. Hmmmm. Not a lot of racial diversity there. Isn't the
FSW just some "whites only" enclave? Aren't the members
white supremacists, or at least separatists?
Certainly
not! The FSW is open to people of all races. Libertarianism is
color blind. Hard-working, ethical, non-encroaching people of
all races and walks of life are welcome.
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Well, what about atheists or people who aren't
Christian? The FSW founder Boston T. Party is a Christian, and
the governor in his novel Molôn Labé! is a
Christian. Doesn't the FSW have a strong religious tone to it?
No,
although some very devout and touchy atheists would like to believe
so (even though Molôn Labé! contained nothing
about any Christian migration of newcomers). Kenneth Royce (Boston
T. Party) founded a movement open to people of all religious faiths,
including agnostics and atheists. In his experience, the sole
fact that one is a Christian is no guarantee that they will be
a good neighbor, any more than one's atheism guarantees that they
will not.
If
Boston were so religiously intolerant, then he would not have
(as he does) many atheists amongst his good friends or his FSW
staff. Even though many Americans differ in their fundamental
beliefs, such does not have to foment their political oppression
of each other. What you do on your Sunday mornings is your business:
go to church if you like, or buy a six-pack and go fishing. Or
both.
We
in the FSW respect each other's beliefs, even if we don't necessarily
share them. The Wyoming path is wide enough for many different
kinds of travelers.
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I read that FSW Members are big on gun ownership
and shooting. Is such preoccupation with firearms really all that
necessary?
Yes.
The FSW is firmly defends a vigorous shooting culture as a necessary
foundation of a free society. We actively nurture the concept
of citizen rifleman, the backbone of a nation's defense which
also daily reinforces our individual responsibility and resolve
to remain free.
"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession
of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave."
—Andrew
Fletcher,
A Discourse of Government
with relation to Militias (1698), p.47
"The
unarmed man is not just defenseless, he is also contemptible."
—
Machiavelli
"Pick
up a rifle and you change instantly from a subject to a citizen."
—
Jeff Cooper,
The Art of The Rifle
We
in the FSW are Westerners. We believe devoutly in being armed.
We do not surrender our personal weapons—anywhere, anytime.
To do so would place ourselves in the physical powers of strangers
whose intentions and mercies can never be known to us in advance.
When
others seek to deny us the means of defending our lives, why should
we allow them the power to do so? We are peaceable folks, and
do not aggress on others. We do not trust those who do not trust
us—who seek our unilateral disarmament in the name of "public
safety" (even though the rural West has the lowest crime
rate in the nation).
From
history, we know very well what happens to unarmed citizens. First,
they are transformed into subjects. Then, over time, into slaves.
This will not happen in Wyoming.
If
such talk seems "radical" to you, then please don't
come here. It's not your kind of place. However, if this resonates
with your vision of local liberty, then get
in touch with us. Come out and see what we're all about. And
bring something to shoot!
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What
about the cold and the wind? Isn't Wyoming just some bitter tundra?
That would explain why only 500,000 people live there.
Regarding
weather vs. population, North Dakota is much colder and windier
than Wyoming, yet has 28% more people. Wyoming has the second
highest mean elevation, after Colorado. Much of Wyoming is cold,
and much of that windy (especially in the east). Still, Wyoming
is not brutal.
If
you already live in snow country, you won't find Wyoming any big
deal. It's not Florida, but if living free is more important than
tropical temperatures, you'll enjoy Wyoming. Besides, the FSW
is a pioneering movement, and it requires a bit of hardiness from
its members! Softees can stay home in SoCal, Palm Beach, Tuscon,
etc.
For
the FSW, Boston has focused on three counties with comparatively
pleasant weather: Crook, Weston, and Hot Springs. All three have
reasonable winters.
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Are people actually buying property and moving to Wyoming through
the FSW?
You
bet! Though the FSW was founded recently in early 2004, folks
are already in motion in all three counties. One couple just bought
a home and rental property in Thermopolis, and another bought
over 300 beautiful acres in Crook County. The FSW enjoyed its
first local event over Labor Day 2004, and many of the attendees
are actively scouting out Crook County property for their upcoming
relocation. Boston himself will move to Wyoming with Javelin
Press in 2006.
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How
can I learn more about Wyoming and the Free State Wyoming effort?
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