For decades, live free or die has been the motto in New Hampshire.
But for a group of disaffected residents seeking independence, the motto is more than just a philosophy.
The NHEXIT movement, which launched earlier this month, is pushing for New Hampshire to secede from the US.
Members say they are fed up with the bloated central government and resent having to pay more in taxes than they receive.
“There are 2.5 million unelected bureaucrats in Washington, DC, who are responsible for dragging the nation to the brink of bankruptcy,” said movement leader Carla Gericke.
New Hampshire residents, led by Carla Gerick, pictured, have launched the NHEXIT movement in an attempt to secede from the US.
Members say they are fed up with a bloated central government and paying more in taxes than they receive.
“Not only that, but they are siphoning off money from taxpayers’ pockets every year, trampling on the rights of New Hampshire citizens,” he added.
NHEXIT’s website states that the movement is “dedicated to securing a sovereign and independent New Hampshire by upholding the principles of self-determination, liberty, and the preservation of our state’s unique heritage and values.”
But economic factors are a major driving force behind the movement. New Hampshire residents pay about $3.53 in federal taxes for every dollar of support they receive.
SmartAsset data shows the state is the 26th most dependent on the central government.
“Economically, it’s not a good deal for New Hampshire residents. We could probably be richer and more prosperous if we got rid of them,” Gericke added.
New Hampshire is one of the wealthiest states in the United States, with a median income of $43,353, well above the national average of $37,585.
As the first state to establish independence from the British colonies, New Hampshire has a long history of libertarianism.
The state motto, “Live Free or Die,” was officially adopted in 1945. The words come from those spoken by Revolutionary War hero General John Stark.
Gericke herself was previously involved in the Free State Project, a mass migration of more than 20,000 people who moved or promised to move to New Hampshire with the goal of concentrating their numbers in a single state to “preserve liberty.”
The movement seems a natural extension of the Free State Project, of which Gericke was also a member, which was a mass migration to New Hampshire with the aim of concentrating libertarians.
But for Gericke, the time has come to push for New Hampshire to secede completely.
“I think the time is right, as I said, a lot of this is emerging as a national debate,” Gericke said.
“We’ve seen that divorce is starting to become a trend at a national level, so for me, in that sense, the time has come.
“With election season, you know, people want to talk about the problems, but I want to start talking about the solutions and I think states’ rights and more decentralization and possibly independent countries are the way forward.”
The NHEXIT movement joins a long list of secessionist movements in the United States amid growing divisions across the country.
Texas, Vermont, Alaska, and South Carolina, among others, have or have had active independence movements.
In liberal Oregon, disgruntled residents have started a petition to secede and join conservative Idaho.
A Free Louisiana movement also emerged last week amid a belief that most politicians have an “East-West Coast mentality” that does not serve the southern state.
In New Hampshire, a growing number of conservatives have already pushed for the state to leave the union.
NHEXIT supporters believe independence would give them more access to direct democracy
In New Hampshire, a growing number of conservatives have already pushed for the state to leave the union.
Earlier this year, Rep. Jason Gerhard proposed that New Hampshire should secede if the national debt exceeded $40 trillion.
It now stands at around $34 trillion and the legislation was ultimately rejected.
Republican Rep. Matthew Santonastaso introduced a stand-alone bill calling for a study on the feasibility and impact of NHEXIT.
Opposition voices, however, warned that there could be further division if secession goes ahead.
“From a political perspective, I’m very concerned that we’re muddying the waters with insurrectionist talk,” said Rep. Jess Edwards.
“What is very important to me personally is to emphasize that we are a peaceful movement,” Gericke said.
“The bills we have tabled state very categorically that if this were to happen, it would be a peaceful separation from the Union. We need to be able to discuss difficult ideas and there should be no resort to violence.”
Gericke said many of his supporters “don’t really feel comfortable with this empire that the United States is building.”
‘They’re now recruiting the National Guard to go overseas and there are no more wars being declared in Congress. So even in something like that, being able to keep our local National Guard in New Hampshire to serve the residents of New Hampshire would be better.
NHEXIT’s website acknowledges that a “multifaceted approach, including legal, political and diplomatic efforts” would be needed to secure independence.
Supporters also say they are unhappy with being dragged into foreign wars and that independence would allow more direct access to democracy.
“We would be richer. There would be less war and less violence. From the perspective that the closer you are to your government, the more responsive it can be to you.”
Whether secession is legally possible remains to be seen, with the NHEXIT website acknowledging that it would require “a multifaceted approach, including legal, political and diplomatic efforts. Initially, it would involve a state referendum demonstrating the will of the people.”
Similar moves have already failed in Mississippi and South Carolina.
Still, Gericke believes his vision of a free New Hampshire could be achieved within the next decade.
“I’m an eternal optimist, so I say anything is possible,” she explained.
“People keep saying there is polarization, but they also talk about the single party, right? Which one is it then?” And the answer was: well, it is a single party,
‘Therefore, there is a system that is now operating that is generating unfavorable results for the states.
“Is it possible? I think it’s possible. It will be tomorrow, but in 10 years, it’s very possible.”