Hello everyone, here's my intro post:
I was raised in California in a mildly strict Christian family, and was homeschooled after 3rd grade. Early on in life I was made aware of the corruption in the system (mostly in the schools). I graduated at the age of fifteen, and took a year of college. My courses were predominantly political, and I learned more about our system and how screwey it is. I have 9 siblings, five of which are adopted. We dealt with Child Protective Services several times due to the fact that we were homeschooled, Christian, and all of my adopted siblings have birth disorders (fetal alcohol syndrome, RAD). I discovered how easily the state could make your life hell, simply based on the groundless accusations of unsympathetic neighbor. My father was a homicide detective, and one of my brothers a CHP officer. When I was little, I always wanted to be a detective like Dad, and in the last few years I've actually applied to various departments. As much as I still respect my family, I have come to dislike, distrust, and abhor 'law enforcement' in general for their failure to uphold the Constitution and the natural rights of their fellow citizens.
When I was 17, my family moved to Colorado, where I later met my wife. Her family is very liberty minded, and I was exposed to many new things (guns, civil -and not so civil- disobedience) that greatly expanded my appreciation of freedoms. Many people that I know out here have the mindset of 'I will be peaceful until you come at me with a gun' and that really opened my eyes. I had never realized that was even possible! I do not advocate violence, but neither do I advocate dying in the name of pacifism. I joined OpenCarry.org, and started regularly carrying a handgun, both as a practical exercise of my natural rights, and as a form of visible protest. I began researching the Constitution, and exploring the concept of fundamental rights, and the limited role of government. In the process, I learned about the Free State Project through a member on the OpenCarry.org forums. Last week I signed the Letter of Intent, and plan on moving to the Keene area as soon as is practically possible. My wife and I are eagerly looking forward to leaving.
Which brings me to my present political views.
I am a strict Constitutionalist. I believe that government is a necessary evil, in that we need a loose form of organization. Some say that the Constitution got us where we are today; I disagree. It has been through a relentless trampling on and bending of rules that has allowed us to become this nation of regulations and restrictions that we are now. And 'We the People' have allowed it to happen. I advocate a Constitutional form of government, in which their role is only to mediate disputes and punish rights violations. If this was the only thing our government were allowed to do, we would pay such a minimal, unopressive tax that nobody would feel it. A direct, equally apportioned tax, per Constitutional rules.
I do agree with many people in that, were a completely free market established, the market would absorb almost all of the (current) capacities of the government (police, fire, welfare). I simply have a hard time believing that establishing a court system (or 'mediation') in the free market would not be an enterprise fraught with corruption. When you pay for a judge, there's bound to be prejudice. If I am wrong, please feel free to enlighten me.
I believe that humans have a basic set of natural rights, and I think, in the proper excercise of those rights, that it would be virtually impossible to violate the rights of another. As I stated earlier, I was raised Christian. I still believe in God, and Jesus, however I refuse to associate myself with any organized religion as I find the organization of a belief the fastest and most sure path to corruption. I believe it is morally wrong to have intercourse with the same sex, however, I have a stronger respect for individual rights, and strive to love and respect each person regardless of our differences. I believe that abortion is wrong, however I understand that neither I, nor you, nor the government have the right to tell another what they may do with their body. I dislike marijuana (as I've noticed the effects on the intelligence of my friends :roll:), however I have partaken of it myself. I have no desire to use it, but I know that to tell another they may not is, in itself, sin.
In conclusion, whilst being a Godfearing man, and whilst striving to live by my set of morals, I believe, know, and understand that I may not impose such on another. In kind, I would not tolerate one imposing the same on me. I hope and pray that more people may come to this point of view.
Anyways, that is my rambling intro, I apologize in advance. I'm excited to be a part of this forum, and of this movement. Good luck!
-Shane Tuller (aka Alamo Jack)
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
P.S. I think Ian and/or Mark will probably read this, and I just wanted to say, great show! I like your program, I think you have a relatively balanced point of view, and you have enlightened me on many subjects. Thanks, and keep it up!
Welcome!
As for paying for judges, what system do you think we're stuck with now? Look into the concept of "loser pays."
Great intro - welcome! Maybe you can run for city council when you get here. We could use some more political activists in Keene.
Also, if you'd like to learn more about free-market justice, I recommend "The Market For Liberty", which you can download free in audiobook or PDF form at http://book.freekeene.com
Hey Alamo,
Quick point I'd like to make. Everybody knows that the judges are corrupt now but we're all stuck using them. In the free-market, if a judge is corrupt you can at least take your business elsewhere.
Hey guys, thanks for the welcome. Ian, I've actually been meaning to look into The Market for Freedom. Unfortunately, I don't have internet at home except on my smartphone, so I have to use the computer at work in the morning. Maybe I can download it and transfer it to my computer at home.
To elkingrey and error, I do understand that our justice system is completely corrupt. However, I wonder how a free market system would take care of issues such as trying the murder of a person without relatives or friends? Meaning, nobody to press charges for the victim. I'm very open to suggestions. And on the same note, who investigates the same murder? Nobody to pay the private police or detective. This in particular has been an issue for me. Again, I'm open to ideas.
And Ian, might I ask what makes you suggest that I run for city council? I'm just curious, is it because I have expressed an actual 'within-the-system' political view, or are you just proposing things for me to do in Keene? I'm intruiged, if there's something in my intro that made you think I would be a good candidate, I'd like to know what it is.
Thanks guys, I look forward to more discussion!
Just that you seem to be more political.
That makes sense. I'd actually be interested in running for office, providing I feel confident that I could accurately and Constitutionally represent the interests of my constituents. That would be a lot of responsibility, and I'd have to be sure that I could ethically handle such before running.
Anyways, I should probably get off the introduction board and start posting in the actual forums.
Send my sympathies to Ademo and Pete from a listener in Colorado!
Hey Alamo,
I'm also from Colorado and currently looking at moving to Keene. I lived in Colorado from 1980 to mid 2010 - mostly in the Denver/Boulder area but some time in Montrose too. I'm currently in Chicago on my bizarre personal journey to NH. Anyway, we should get together for a beer in Keene and start the elite Colorado faction. 
Zach