WisconsinRepublic.org
"The blessings of a free government can only be maintained by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles."
-Article 1 Section 22, Wisconsin Constitution.
-Article 1 Section 22, Wisconsin Constitution.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Part Six: Moving Forward
Unfortunately for us, Jefferson's ominous vision has come to pass. The power that was meant to be spread out amongst the free and independent states has been concentrated in Washington. The central government is without a doubt as venal and oppressive as that from which our founders separated. This society that promises us so much has left us burnt out, stressed out, disconnected, unhealthy, unhappy and increasingly bankrupt. All of the above problems have taken place under the leadership of democrats and republicans. There is essentially no difference in policy between the two. Both spend like crazy and support American military hegemony. Neither stands up for our civil rights or fights corruption. The two party system gets everyone to fight with each other about relatively trivial matters so that we do not focus on the real problems. We who so arrogantly claim to spread democracy around the globe have been left with essentially one political party at home. The party that actively pursues all of the above mayhem.
Unfortunately for us, Jefferson's ominous vision has come to pass. The power that was meant to be spread out amongst the free and independent states has been concentrated in Washington. The central government is without a doubt as venal and oppressive as that from which our founders separated. This society that promises us so much has left us burnt out, stressed out, disconnected, unhealthy, unhappy and increasingly bankrupt. All of the above problems have taken place under the leadership of democrats and republicans. There is essentially no difference in policy between the two. Both spend like crazy and support American military hegemony. Neither stands up for our civil rights or fights corruption. The two party system gets everyone to fight with each other about relatively trivial matters so that we do not focus on the real problems. We who so arrogantly claim to spread democracy around the globe have been left with essentially one political party at home. The party that actively pursues all of the above mayhem.
"Whenever government becomes destructive of these ends (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
-Declaration of Independence
-Declaration of Independence
So where do we go from here? Thomas Naylor has outlined a number of possible courses of action that we could take in the face of our situation. The following is an excerpt from his book, Secession: How Vermont and All the Other States Can Save Themselves from the Empire.
"What are the options available to us? The only ones I can envision are denial, compliance, political reform, implosion, rebellion, and dissolution. Most Americans -including our government, our politicians, corporate America, Wall Street, the Pentagon, and the media- are in complete denial of our perilous plight. In spite of all of our obvious problems, they seem oblivious to the cataclysmic risks we are facing. But, obviously denial does not solve problems, and it seems clear that these problems will not simply vanish or solve themselves. So we reject this option.
Many armchair environmentalist, pacifist, democratic socialists, and simple-living adherents are all too aware of the risks facing the Empire, but feel completely powerless at the feet of corporate America and the U.S.government to do anything about them. So they talk about how bad things are and they try to live their personal lives in positive ways, but in relation to our government they do nothing but naively hope for the best. For them the name of the game is compliance. Since that gets us nowhere, we reject this option, too.
The real Pollyannas are liberal Democrats who believe that all we need do is elect the right Democrat president and all of our problems will be solved. They see political reform (such as campaign finance reform) as a panacea, failing to realize that, so long as the Congress is controlled by corporate America, there will never be any meaningful campaign finance reform. Since we have a single political party disguised as two, it matters not whether the president calls himself a Democrat or a Republican. The results will be the same. So, again, we reject this option.
When Soviet Leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev came to power in 1985, who could have imagined that the Soviet Union would soon implode and cease to exist? The United States seems to be well on its way to replicating the experience of its former archenemy in an American setting. So, do we want to sit by and wait for that to happen? Again we reject this option.
That leaves the two options of rebellion or peaceful dissolution (which can also be named by the generally disfavored term "secession"). In the words of Kirkpatrick Sale,
"What are the options available to us? The only ones I can envision are denial, compliance, political reform, implosion, rebellion, and dissolution. Most Americans -including our government, our politicians, corporate America, Wall Street, the Pentagon, and the media- are in complete denial of our perilous plight. In spite of all of our obvious problems, they seem oblivious to the cataclysmic risks we are facing. But, obviously denial does not solve problems, and it seems clear that these problems will not simply vanish or solve themselves. So we reject this option.
Many armchair environmentalist, pacifist, democratic socialists, and simple-living adherents are all too aware of the risks facing the Empire, but feel completely powerless at the feet of corporate America and the U.S.government to do anything about them. So they talk about how bad things are and they try to live their personal lives in positive ways, but in relation to our government they do nothing but naively hope for the best. For them the name of the game is compliance. Since that gets us nowhere, we reject this option, too.
The real Pollyannas are liberal Democrats who believe that all we need do is elect the right Democrat president and all of our problems will be solved. They see political reform (such as campaign finance reform) as a panacea, failing to realize that, so long as the Congress is controlled by corporate America, there will never be any meaningful campaign finance reform. Since we have a single political party disguised as two, it matters not whether the president calls himself a Democrat or a Republican. The results will be the same. So, again, we reject this option.
When Soviet Leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev came to power in 1985, who could have imagined that the Soviet Union would soon implode and cease to exist? The United States seems to be well on its way to replicating the experience of its former archenemy in an American setting. So, do we want to sit by and wait for that to happen? Again we reject this option.
That leaves the two options of rebellion or peaceful dissolution (which can also be named by the generally disfavored term "secession"). In the words of Kirkpatrick Sale,
So far the level of dissent within the U.S. Has not reached the point of rebellion or secession -thanks both to the increasing repression of dissent and escalation of fear in the name of "homeland security" and to the success of our modern version of bread and circuses, a unique combination of entertainment, sports, television, internet sex and games, consumption, drugs, liquor, and religion that effectively deadens the general public into stupor.
Just as armed rebellion gave birth to the United States in 1776, so too could some combination of stock market meltdown, economic depression, crippling unemployment, monetary crisis, skyrocketing crude oil prices, double-digit interest rates, soaring federal deficits and trade imbalances, curtailment of social services, repeated terrorist attacks, return of the military draft or environmental catastrophe precipitate a violent twenty-first century revolution against corporate America and the U.S. Government. However, we also reject this option, because we are opposed to all forms of violence.
There is, then, just one viable option: dissolution. America needs a new model...a kinder, gentler, more communitarian alternative to a nation obsessed with money, power, size, speed, greed, and fear of terrorism..."
There is, then, just one viable option: dissolution. America needs a new model...a kinder, gentler, more communitarian alternative to a nation obsessed with money, power, size, speed, greed, and fear of terrorism..."
WisconsinRepublic.org envisions a smaller, more humane, accountable and efficient government. A government that allows the creativity of its citizens to flourish and usher in a new era of prosperity and freedom. A Wisconsin republic run by the people of Wisconsin with many decisions delegated to the local level where individual citizens can direct and participate in their own governance in a meaningful way. Join in the discussion. Learn as much as possible. Share your opinions. Work for the betterment of this and future generations.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Secession, Secession, Secession, Secession, Secession, Secession, Secession, Secession! Wisconsin, Wisconsin!
The Case for Wisconsin Sovereignty:
State Sovereignty legislation under the tenth amendment is a first step in the process of reclaiming liberty. States are free and independent and certainly have the right to pursue policies in the interest of their own people. If people seriously pursue this option, perhaps there is a chance to preserve and rejuvenate the union. However if the people are prevented from self-government, then freedom is truly lost and people must seek to restore accountable government.
The most important element for the future of freedom in Wisconsin is the conviction of the people. It is about a mindset that declares “we are free and independent and we will stand up for ourselves.” The American Empire is at a pivotal crossroads. Corruption and violence permeate the government and its policies. The first step toward reversing this unfortunate situation is a personal one. Individuals must come to their own terms with the political reality that we face in this country. It is a difficult process and takes time and personal reflection. Honest people who care about the future ultimately cannot continue to support the status quo. One cannot continue to blindly trust and serve a government that is actively pursing policies that are destroying our society. History shows us that free societies are very rare. Most of humanity has been ruled by an oligarchy. We must stand against tyranny.
Although these are troubling times with many difficult issues, it is also an exciting time and a time to be optimistic about the future. Many people are beginning to ask serious questions about the type of society we want to live in and leave for our children. The opportunity for a new renaissance stands before us. A revolution in consciousness that could usher in a new era of freedom, peace and prosperity. We challenge the reader of this site to learn all they can and educate as many people as possible about the issues. As more people become aware we can have a serious dialogue as a society about the role and structure of government. Together, we can begin the process of voting in only honest people who will fight to restore local control to our government and sanity to our policy.
The most important element for the future of freedom in Wisconsin is the conviction of the people. It is about a mindset that declares “we are free and independent and we will stand up for ourselves.” The American Empire is at a pivotal crossroads. Corruption and violence permeate the government and its policies. The first step toward reversing this unfortunate situation is a personal one. Individuals must come to their own terms with the political reality that we face in this country. It is a difficult process and takes time and personal reflection. Honest people who care about the future ultimately cannot continue to support the status quo. One cannot continue to blindly trust and serve a government that is actively pursing policies that are destroying our society. History shows us that free societies are very rare. Most of humanity has been ruled by an oligarchy. We must stand against tyranny.
Although these are troubling times with many difficult issues, it is also an exciting time and a time to be optimistic about the future. Many people are beginning to ask serious questions about the type of society we want to live in and leave for our children. The opportunity for a new renaissance stands before us. A revolution in consciousness that could usher in a new era of freedom, peace and prosperity. We challenge the reader of this site to learn all they can and educate as many people as possible about the issues. As more people become aware we can have a serious dialogue as a society about the role and structure of government. Together, we can begin the process of voting in only honest people who will fight to restore local control to our government and sanity to our policy.
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
-Thomas Jefferson
Toward A Free Wisconsin: