This was an interview that I published on Now Public.
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.
http://my.nowpublic.com/world/nowpublic-exclusive-vermont-republic
