The Breakway Republic Of Vermont?

Small Cadre Of Writers And Academics Plots A Secession Strategy

(AP)  At Riverwalk Records, the all-vinyl record store just down the street from the state Capitol, the black "US Out of Vt.!" T-shirts are among the hottest sellers.

But to some people in Vermont, the idea is bigger than a $20 novelty. They want Vermont to secede from the United States — peacefully, of course.

Disillusioned by what they call an empire about to fall, a small cadre of writers and academics is plotting political strategy and planting the seeds of separatism.

They've published a "Green Mountain Manifesto" subtitled "Why and How Tiny Vermont Might Help Save America From Itself by Seceding from the Union." They hope to put the question before citizens at Town Meeting Day next March, eventually persuading the state Legislature to declare independence, returning Vermont to the status it held from 1777 to 1791.

Whether it's likely is another question.

But the idea has found plenty of sympathetic ears in Vermont, a left-leaning state that said yes to civil unions, no to slavery (before any other) and last year elected a socialist to the U.S. Senate.

About 300 people turned out for a 2005 secession convention in the Statehouse, and plans for a second one are in the works. A poll this year by the University of Vermont's Center for Rural Studies found that 13 percent of those surveyed support secession, up from 8 percent a year before.

"The argument for secession is that the U.S. has become an empire that is essentially ungovernable — it's too big, it's too corrupt and it no longer serves the needs of its citizens," said Rob Williams, editor of Vermont Commons, a quarterly newspaper dedicated to secession.

"Congress and the executive branch are being run by the multinationals. We have electoral fraud, rampant corporate corruption, a culture of militarism and war. If you care about democracy and self-governance and any kind of representative system, the only constitutional way to preserve what's left of the Republic is to peaceably take apart the empire."

Such movements have a long history. Key West, Fla., staged a mock secession from America in the 1980s. The Town of Killington, Vt., tried to break away and join New Hampshire in 2004, and Hawaii, Alaska, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Texas all have some form of secession organizations today.

[ucellis]

Soo... what about us Vermonters who are stuck here.. if they do seperate and we don't want to seperate from the US and still stay in Vermont?

that would be a big mess of things..

I respect the fact they can do this.. just hope everyone thinks everything through before it happens...

[toldyouso21]

Soo... what about us Vermonters who are stuck here.. if they do seperate and we don't want to seperate from the US and still stay in Vermont?

that would be a big mess of things..

I respect the fact they can do this.. just hope everyone thinks everything through before it happens...
Posted by ucellis at 11:22 AM : Jun 04, 2007


You'd be like the Tories that did not want to rebel against King George: you could either move out of the contested area, try to stay and fight for your loyalties or learn to live without the federal government. if the Federal gov. allowed this (and I do not think Bush would--perfect time for him to use that May 09, 2007 signed order of invoking and commandeering the NG of the states) but if it was allowed, and you did not want it--you probably should leave.

Tories (who are decendants are the modern day Republicans) wanted to maintain the status quo and Vermont looks like it wants to break it.

What does the average 3K sq. ft home go for in Vermont? I know quite a few of us who would move there in a heartbeat if they could pull this off. LOL

[bustardo]

TUGWOS

Pronounced "Shoveit"

[lorinkundert]

Our Government is an unlawful government, that happened when it stepped outside of it's Constitutional bounds and our so-called elected officials took to openly violating their oaths of office. The Government only invokes the Constitution when it suits its purpose, If you can't shut the Government down then by all means tear it apart state by state.

[stjamesme]

Vermont has a proud tradition of independence. It was an independent republic longer than any other, before taking on the "Yoke of Union". If any entity could survive without Washington, it would be the Green Mountain State.

[processor2]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...

[canaima]

This sounds like a good idea to me.

If it happened, it just might drain a good number of nut cases & screwballs from the rest of the country up into Vermont (see toldyouso21's comment below). And Vermont can have 'em and, if we're lucky, keep 'em.

[justfacts2]

If these nutjobs do not like living the U.S., then why don't they get out of dodge and move to a country they do like. It didn't work the first time around, what makes these morons think it will work a second time?

[gunnerv1]

Oh please go, I hate Maple Syrup anyway and your politics suck too!

[kevboom]

"...liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA...."

That's a laugh. This from a Republican, no doubt, who voted for a president that's just wasted close to a trillion dollars on a war that never should have happened. Meanwhile the dollar slides into oblivion while the euro and pound begin to exert international dominance. Just who is destroying America exactly? Silly Republicans. Get over yourselves and stop voting for politicians so tied up in corporations they are willing to sell out their own people and military for a buck.

[ahrats]

I think it is a good idea to threaten to leave the U.S.. I agree that the Bush/Cheney government is the most corrupt we had in centuries. Actually leaving the U.S. is another thing, won't happen, it did not work in 1860 it won't work in 2007. Can the U.S. citizens go on for another year and a half with the presnt administation? Impeach the president and V.P. now, with congressmen of Vermont leading the start of the process. Don't quit the union just change the government from with-in.

[processor2]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...

[gunownerdan]

"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
-- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961

[oleander8]

What a great idea! If only for the message it sends.

[kesac4650]

Why don't the rest of us get together and vote those bozos out?

[michellem99-2009]

I am a Mainer. I am also a New Englander. YES. I am a proud New Englander.I live in Seattle. I truly miss home. I can't afford to go there. I am legally blind and I am poor. I have special needs items to help me. The computer is a tool for me. I am aa outsider here. I wish VT the best.

[abcdefg113]

I would expect that we are going to see many more states to start separating from the USA. I think our government is corrup. Greed is the governing factor now. There is no longer a nationalist government, but one of globalism. Globalism in greed, not of concern for the fellow man. The USA is only a tool for the elite few that really govern our country. The declining numbers of the middle class speak as to what the real elite few think of us. The constitution is just but a tool for the power elite who use it to increase the working class slavery market. I fear because of the power elites greed that what has happened in Russia is soon to be here. A splitting of our countries government which will ultimately lead to the USA's destruction as a whole. Our strength is in numbers. We should instead create a movement that will cause the power elite to be confronted and motivated to change. This can be accomplished. We need to only hit them in their pocket books. We must maintain our strength as a hole, with our great numbers.

[grazinggoat]

"US Out of Vt.!"

Should read Walking-Liar's US out of Vermont!

This president is causing the division the USA!

[processor2]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...

Just read the posts below for proof

[processor2]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...

Just read the posts below for proof

[processor2]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...

Just read the posts below for proof

[nottellin1]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...
Posted by processor2 at 12:09 PM : Jun 04, 2007

I'd agree with you except for the fact that about 1/2 of our legislators are conservative and all of them are responsible for destruction of the US

[lars008-2009]

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

[mbcsmith]

GOOD RIDDANCE.

[forthepeopl1]

"The argument for secession is that the U.S. has become an empire that is essentially ungovernable %u2014 it's too big, it's too corrupt and it no longer serves the needs of its citizens," said Rob Williams, editor of Vermont Commons, a quarterly newspaper dedicated to secession.

"Congress and the executive branch are being run by the multinationals. We have electoral fraud, rampant corporate corruption, a culture of militarism and war. If you care about democracy and self-governance and any kind of representative system, the only constitutional way to preserve what's left of the Republic is to peaceably take apart the empire."

THIS IS WHAT AMERICANS SHOULD BE DOING..BUSH IS GIVENING AWAYS BILLIONS OF AMERICAS TAX DOLLARS SO WHY NOT GRAB SOME INSTEAD OF GIVEN IT TO IRAQ

[nolalou]

If they do manage to Secede from the US, maybe Howard Dean can finally be elected President.. Of The Republic of Vermont! He should be a shoo-in, since he was elected governor 5 times, and balanced the budget 11 times!

I doubt any state will seriously consider secession, there is just too much to lose, and besides, the last time some states tried that, it lead to the civil war!

[blah2i]

More importantly, on behalf of the rest of the 49 states, I would like to know what is going to happen to Ben & Jerry's ice cream? Will this be exported? Will there be a tax associated with it? Will I be able to write the tariff off on my taxes? Please take this into consideration when cosidering seceding.

[blah2i]

Well my prophet says we need to be concerned about what is going to happen to this:
http://www.benandjerrys.com/

[blah2i]

S.C.'s problem was the *lack* of Ben and Jerry's franchises throughout the state. Providing there were more available throughout the state, they would not have wanted to leave.

[klingon69]

I knowed it, they's been saying the north shall rise again

[processor2]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...

[processor2]

This will make liberals happy,
since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.

...

[lars008-2009]

the real reason vermont wants to break away... hahahaha

don't you just love these left wingnuts that want the usa to be like europe..........lol

i guess the south is social progressive.... hahahahahahahahaha

Napoleon abolished France's incest laws in 1810. Neither is it a crime in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal or Turkey. Japan, Argentina and Brazil have also legalised it in recent years.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/germany/article/0,,2022008,00.html

[mikealford3]

I was under the impression that Texas was the only state with secession power. Anyway, kick their reps out of congress and remove them from any further Federal assistance and say farewell, Good Bye, and Good Ridance.

[infidel_us]

This will make liberals happy, since liberals seem to desire the destruction of the USA.
Posted by processor2 at 03:00 PM : Jun 04, 2007

Yep! New Orleans and Louisiana are run by liberals. See how well that turned out? Maybe white liberals are smarter than black ones???? I doubt it.

[ammermantm]

I can't imagine having enough people with enough hatred toward our government to succeed in separating from the union, but it is sad, and shows how far out of touch this administartion truly is, that this is even a topic of discussion.

[mikealford3]

ainttaken

I think you forgot to mention Representative Jefferson from La. needs more cash in his freezer.

[infidel_us]

And I'll get my maple syrup from AUNT JEMIMAH! SCREW YOU, VT!!!! :)

[infidel_us]

it is sad, and shows how far out of touch this administartion truly is, that this is even a topic of discussion.
Posted by Ammermantm at 03:44 PM : Jun 04, 2007

You haven't seen ANYTHING yet! Just wait till they try to ram the amnesty bill thru. It's only going to get worse. As the country splits philosophically and politically, the left will occupy certain gorgraphic areas as will the right.

The diffrences will become much more pronounced and severe.

[infidel_us]

Already got a contract with Fred who is already buying Cuban cigars.
Posted by ainttaken at 04:01 PM : Jun 04, 2007

LOL :)

[passerby2]

I don't know much about vermont, so if they do secede what are they going to base their economy on? What goods are they going to offer for the rest of the world to trade with them? Are they just gonna pull money out of their ****es to pay for goods?

[lorinkundert]

"don't know much about vermont, so if they do secede what are they going to base their economy on?" Try for starters the income tax money the Federal Government steals from you that the people of Vermont wouldn't have to give to Uncle Sam anymore. States would be far better off in that situation.

[cd2008]

why don't you fix the "print" view option on your pages so we can print out the story in its entirety?

[nottellin1]

I doubt any state will seriously consider secession, there is just too much to lose, and besides, the last time some states tried that, it lead to the civil war!

Posted by nolalou at 01:39 PM : Jun 04, 2007

Civil war would not surprize me one bit if this bill is passed.

[macusweil]

"one person 3 gun society then maybe the other states would be happier seceding. Why not? "

Instead, let's just kick out the RED states since their racist / fascist doctrines are the ones so badly *** up this country. Only a moron would vote to not teach kids evolution in science because it says in the bible the earth is 5000 years old.
Let them all inbreed until they are totally blind.

[scottyusa]

Well then we would only have 49 states to protect when the terrorists get here.

[kgilber3]

The United States constitution "speaks to an indestructible union, consisting of indestructible states," according to Texas v. White, a US Supreme Court case from the late nineteenth century.

That doesn't necessarily mean that there couldn't be a sovereignty-association type of arrangement like what Quebec wants with Canada.

[jimc52]

They don't have the right to secession any more than the South did. The South tried peaceably to leave the Union as well. I'm afraid, they are dreaming in Vermont. They might be right we are a corrupt empire, but in a corrupt empire, individual states don't have independent secession rights. We might have to send Darth Vader to them if they do, and God help the man who has to deal with the evil emperor and the Death Star.

[tuckerndfw]

According to the current "president" (Bozo Bush), the US Constitution is "just a ********* piece of paper."

Given the fact Congress agrees with him as evidenced by the fact he was not impeached, there is no longer a legal entity known as the United States of America.

States are free to do whatever they want, the US no longer exists. George Bush and the GOP murdered it several years ago.

We are now in a state of anarchy until the states decide to create a legitimate government that abides by the US Constitution.

The current administration does not meet that requirement.

[tuckerndfw]

Half of Texas already seceded. It belongs to Mexico. And, if the feds (Dems & Repubs) have their way, they are going to give the rest of it to Mexico.

It's only a matter of time until those hard-working, Spanish only speaking, Catholic church supporting illegal immigrants use their new found amnesty to vote Texas out of the US and into Mexico. Perhaps Venezuela or Columbia. Depends on who offers the largest bribes.

The federal government does not represent anyone or any organization that has a net worth less than one billion dollars. And, due to that fact, it is no longer a legitimate constitutional representative government.

The federal government should be completely eliminated. We should start all over with a new constitutional convention that represents "we, the people," not "we, the multi-billionaires who screw the people every chance we get."