NOWPUBLIC EXCLUSIVE: Vermont Republic?

by AlvarezGalloso | February 8, 2009 at 02:53 pm

555 views | 79 Recommendations | 17 comments

At a time when Barack Obama is entering his first month of his Presidency, there are people in the world and inside the United States of America who are discussing the future of the country. There are people who agree with Obama and have elevated him to the status of a Demigod. There are others who have opposed him.

There are people who have lost faith in America taking into account the polarization during the 2008 Elections. Some have left the United States of America while others have decided that the solution is within forming their own state. The people of Vermont is one of many states where people are thinking about forming a Second Vermont Republic.

I have invited Mr. Rob Williams of Vermont Commons: The Voices of Independence to discuss the issue of an Independent Vermont. It is a pleasure and an honour to have him in Now Public.

1. With the inauguration of Barack Obama as President, will Vermont continue its struggle for independence or will it adopt a wait and see position?

A growing number of Vermonters are interested in independence, as more and more recognize that Barack Obama cannot "fix" the systemic problems associated with U.S. Empire. No "wait and see" for us. I can only speak for myself, but what I hear is that Vermonters are watching President Obama closely, and lining up our ducks...

2. The new tendency is toward protectionism after the economic debacle of 2008-2009. Will the people of Vermont start or is there a direction towards buying Vermont?

Given Peak Oil realities, more and more Vermonters are investing their time, energy and money in "re localizing" means of production for food, energy, and the like. At the same time, we plan on continuing to promote vigorous trade and commerce locally, regionally, and globally in ways that make sense.

3. How many times have the position for an Independent Vermont been placed before a vote?

We'll be having our first town meeting vote on a new Vermont independence resolution next month, in the town of Kirby. From there, the sky is the limit.

4. How many people within Vermont support the movement for an Independent Vermont?

This is tough to quantify - support for an independent Vermont has polled in the double digits for two years running, according to the University of Vermont's Center for Rural Studies.

5. When Vermont [or if Vermont] finally returns to the fold of independent states, what will be its foreign policy, its domestic policy, and policies related to health as well as infrastructure?

These are questions for the citizens of an independent Vermont republic to decide, in conversation with their neighbors.

6. What is your reply to those who say Vermont cannot exist as an Independent Country?

Often people ask us: "Could Vermont survive economically as an independent nation-state?"

Our answer is: Unquestionably. Of the 200 or so independent nation-states in the world, 50 of them have a smaller population than Vermont’s 620,000. Four of the ten richest countries in the world as measured by per capita income are smaller than Vermont: Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Bermuda, and Cayman Islands. Independence does not mean economic or political isolation. Over 600 Vermont firms export nearly 24 percent of the state’s gross state product. We see no reason why this should change after independence.

7. Will an Independent Vermont follow a policy of decentralization or centralization?

I think the watchword of the future is "decentralization," and we must adopt this with regard to energy, food and politics.

8. Will an Independent Vermont adopt a direct democracy or the participatory democracy as practiced supposedly in Washington?

A hybrid, no doubt. Vermont's town meetings are one of the best living examples of "direct democracy," while our legislature of representatives is surprisingly open and transparent to public participation.

9. Vermont was once an Independent Country. How did Vermont end up becoming a part of the USA and what will it do to finally become independent?

Representatives of the independent republic of Vermont voted in early 1791 to join the new United States as the 14th state. For Vermont to become independent again, we suggest that the following steps be taken: The Vermont Legislature must be persuaded to authorize a convention of the people to vote on rescinding the petition for statehood approved by the Vermont Assembly in January 1791 and ratified on March 4, 1791. To be credible, the vote should pass by at least a two-thirds majority. Articles of Secession should then be submitted to the U.S. President, Secretary of State, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House. Diplomatic recognition should be sought from Canada, Quebec, Mexico, England, France, and the United Nations. And then the moment of truth—Vermont would start behaving like an independent nation-state.

10. How will you handle citizenship and immigration in an Independent Vermont? This includes borders.

This is an important and much-asked question. We have some ideas, but we are still looking for some concrete plans in this area. We hope to publish some thinking about this question within the next several months in Vermont Commons: Voices of Independence news journal.

I would like to thank Rob Williams and Vermont Commons: The Voices of Independence for taking time from their busy schedule to discuss the issue of Vermont Independence. We may be in the beginning of a new era in which states are beginning to question their allegiance to a central government that has used almost all of their resources for their own use. Many people have said that it cannot happen but history has a way of surprising people. This was AlvarezGalloso for Now Public wishing all of you a great week. Thank You.

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jordan

flagged this story as Eyewitness Report

at 15:34 on February 8th, 2009

This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member AlvarezGalloso who was on the scene.

recommend This comment thread is now closed

René

at 16:05 on February 8th, 2009

They're abandoning us! Rather than secede, they need to help fight the good fight. along with the other states who might be considering this.

Some states are working on gold and silver for their monetary systems.

Maireid Sullivan

at 16:36 on February 8th, 2009

The book "The Secret Life of Real Estate" documents this entire history, in all its gory details.

AlvarezGalloso

at 04:50 on February 9th, 2009

Thanks for your comments.

Amy Judd

at 16:56 on February 8th, 2009

Question 11 was very interesting - I can't say I can see it working at all, but then I can't really have an opinion as I don't know enough about it.

Great piece!

AlvarezGalloso

at 04:48 on February 9th, 2009

Thanks for your comments.

Uwe Paschen

at 17:28 on February 8th, 2009

This is the third time I read about an American State seeking independence fro the USA with in a week. Vermont, California, and Arkansas. Soon we may hear of Alaska. Good post. Just wondering what happened to number 10 question? there is 9 then 11, no 10?

Emilio Lizardo

at 18:04 on February 8th, 2009

Great story, Alvares !

Next time you speak with Mr. Williams is a question which may be the most important of all -

"If it gets that far and the US Federal Govt. opposes Vermont's bid for independence, where will you and your family be when the shooting starts ?"

screwbiedoo (not verified)

at 18:25 on February 8th, 2009

Wow. I really wish them good luck. This would be the best thing for them IMHO, but I can't see it being allowed, except as a region of the N. American Union which our New World Order friends are preparing, which of course, is tantamount to non-independence...

djermano

at 18:32 on February 8th, 2009

As I see it.....Europe wants to become more like the USA, while the USA wants to become more like Europe. I think it would be a good idea for Vermont and another State Montana, who has similar designs....This would be excellent in helping to end the Military Industrial Complex.....and to end the Federal Reserve hold over the American people. If lucky all the fifty can become their own Country.....and unfied as trading partners like the EU does. Each Country would therefore have its own Congress and Senate,,,, and perhaps real Democracy will take hold. There will be 50 Presidents in North America.....and the United States will be subjected to be no longer. A new United Countries of America will emerge. The Federal Government will not like losing their power....and I do not think shooting will occur....that is the Federal Government already began shooting at Americans in NYC when they concoted 911 with their inside job......they are slow to admit it.....but we will clearly see them if they do start shooting people at every corner.

Good Article....and God Bless The Nation of Vermont.

Rev. Jermano

penelopeM (not verified)

at 18:32 on February 8th, 2009

I agree! Sounds like some of the independence movements in Europe, like the Basques, the Catalans and the Scottish. In the end they will only have a phony independence cos either way they're just regions of the EU superstate. Furthermore, this kind of thing has been encourage by the EU as they are keen to dismantle the traditional nation states for the transition... :)

breakup (not verified)

at 00:41 on February 9th, 2009

the break up of the already crumbling usa will perhaps drag canada with it. the westerners are the gop of canada with a bias that ignores human rights worldwide, the prairies may follow the inhumane pose of Vancouver - NowPublic and its anti-palestinian and cruel bias is a good example of that lead. ontario will be a lone star state. quebec as well, and the maritimes will remain exactly that, the maritimes.

the usa break up prediction is not new. the Wall Street Journal recently dug up a prediction by a socio-policital analyst from the former soviet union.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123051100709638419.html

that story begins: "For a decade, Russian academic Igor Panarin has been predicting the U.S. will fall apart in 2010. ..."

eastvanray

at 15:18 on February 10th, 2009

"the westerners are the gop of canada with a bias that ignores human rights worldwide" As a proud and non-human rights ignoring Westerner I challenge you to substantiate that ignorant remark.

djermano

at 05:32 on February 9th, 2009

NP is not anti-Palestinian......

and your link......works better if you do this....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123051100709638419.html......

Cypresso I like the Lakota Indian announcement....Maybe the idiots in the US Congress will wakeup and do their job.....by realizing the Constitution is a fraud....because it never was signed by Black Americans or Native American Indians... A government for the people by the people would have them included. Time to end the wars in the world especially overseas, and get our own house in order. It is such a laughing stock all around the world....and these political gals/guys with high fallutin degrees from prestigious Universities don't know these things? We are trying to spread democracy in Iraq...... and around the world .when we don't have a real Democracy at home....? Now I know why they have the Atomic bomb.....the lying $#^%#.

Rev. Jermano

Babel-Fish

at 06:30 on February 9th, 2009

Nearly miss this article glad that I gave it a read.

Well what are we seeing rats leaving a sinking ship or just people blowing wind about the governing system stated to be corrupt centuries ago by the Philosopher Plato.

Actually I see a very big problem that of the blockade by big brother or are we seeing the problem that will start "Civil War II" predicted by author and an old internet forum friend of mine Thomas W. Chittum

Predicted back in the 1990's

Chittum predicts that the United States will soon face Balkanization [6] and a second Civil War based on racial conflicts.[7] He also says that he plans to move to upstate New York because it will be the last Caucasian-controlled area after the American Southwest effectively becomes part of Mexico due to immigration by 2020.

I think the guy was a racialist but he had some interesting views and gave great debate about the Y2K problem back in 1997 - 98. when both of us where at logger heads with Peter De Jager.

djermano

at 19:47 on February 9th, 2009

I suppose you call people on the Titanic rats? Right Bob? And no matter if rats or people...that ship is sinking and who do you think has the better chance of surviving?

Yeah....the rats...do.

Rev.

Art_By_Alida

at 16:18 on February 13th, 2009

Don't forget the words of Abraham Lincoln...."United We Stand. Divided We Fall."

The blogosphere is going to be spreading state sovereignty articles like wildfire.

It's not going to happen.

Be realistic.

djermano

at 03:04 on February 14th, 2009

I think you are a bit miss informed Art-By-Alida.

Were we not United and it fell? Somehow I have faith that by being individual countries we have more strength toward supporting each other. We all take care of our own little space on the map...makes more people happy.....and not a fight to control the working lives of everyone....by the Federal Governments Intrusion.

I declare Federalism the axis of evil...to the people....no better than Nazism, KKK, Communism, and any other bad group you can think of. If each State became its own country....we would have 50 presidents, and 50 Congresses and Senates. They would all have small government in their country...which would work. But because the dummies who support Federalism which doesn't work because they think of the picture in too big a national control sphere.

We are not a United Country by any stretch of the imagination. We respect a process of voting.....but it does not bring us together.....it creates division and hate in all walks of life.

The only reason the Feds keep their little club intact is because of the military. They suck funds off of all the States and use the military as a sledge hammer over the people. They claim the war machine is our accelerator to freedom....But in reality it is not.....they cause the terror, the animosity, and hate in the world....by selling their guns and weapons around the world...to protect their very war machine so they are allowed to continue killing. Freedom to kill is hardly an ideal to have a United Country.

The United States is a lie from its inception....having used force as its signature, and fear as its legitimacy. It is not real.....as most Americans are clearly seeing as time moves forward and we discover the truth.

The only reason it has been held together is because of Wars...which forced the gun down our throats, and made the bullet our savior. They have lied about Religion and its freedom. There is no Religion as long as the religion of the Gun shackels and keeps Religion in the Feds prison of submission. Freedom from the Gun and bullets is our quest and destiny in finding life....it is not the errored judgement that guns are used to protect us from evil dictators....Why? .. because our ideal has created the dictator...not the other way around. We fight to control lands and resources.....instead of agreeing no man has the right to ownership..because man can not prove ownership....since he can not create the land...made by God.

If we accept we are members of Gods heaven and Not the Gun of heaven....we will have real freedom...in our hearts.....and the world will join us....helping each other in having work, support, school, homes, and families.

Rev. Jermano