For decades, “Live Free or Die” has been New Hampshire’s motto.
But for a group of disaffected residents seeking independence, the slogan is more than just a philosophy.
The NHEXIT movement, which launched earlier this month, advocates for New Hampshire to secede from the US.
Members say they are fed up with the bloated central government and are fed up with paying more tax money than they get back.
“There are 2.5 million unelected bureaucrats in Washington DC and they are responsible for pushing the country to the brink of collapse,” explains Carla Gericke, leader of the movement.
New Hampshire residents, led by Carla Gerick (pictured), have launched the NHEXIT movement in an effort to secede from the US.
Members say they are fed up with a bloated central government and paying more tax than they get back.
“Furthermore, they siphon money from taxpayers’ pockets every year, trampling on the rights of New Hampshire citizens,” she added.
NHEXIT’s website states that the movement is “committed to securing a sovereign and independent New Hampshire, defending the principles of self-determination, freedom, and the preservation of our state’s unique heritage and values.”
But economics are a big driver of the movement. New Hampshire residents pay about $3.53 in federal taxes for every dollar of aid they receive back.
SmartAsset data shows that the state ranks 26th in terms of dependence on the central government.
“Economically, it’s not a good deal for the people of New Hampshire. We could probably be richer and more prosperous if we just got rid of them,” Gericke added.
New Hampshire is one of the most affluent states in the US, with a median income of $43,353, well above the national average of $37,585.
New Hampshire was the first state to gain independence from the British colonies and has a long history of liberalism.
The state motto, “Live Free or Die,” was officially adopted in 1945. The words come from Revolutionary War hero General John Stark.
Gericke himself was previously involved in the Free State Project, a mass migration of over 20,000 individuals who have moved or pledged to move to New Hampshire, with the goal of concentrating their numbers in one state to “preserve freedom.”
The movement feels like 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 liberals
But for Gericke, the time has come to completely break away from New Hampshire.
“I think the time is right. As I said, these kinds of things are bubbling up in the national discussion,” Gericke said.
“We’ve seen, you know, national divorces have become a trend. So for me, the time is right in that sense.
“As we approach election time, people want to talk about the problems, but I want to talk about the solutions. I believe states’ rights, more decentralization, and possibly independent countries are the way forward.”
The NHEXIT movement joins a long line of secessionist movements in the US as divisions in the country grow.
In Texas, Vermont, Alaska and South Carolina, among other places, there is or was an active independence movement.
In liberal Oregon, disgruntled residents have started a petition to secede and join conservative Idaho.
Last week, a Free Louisiana movement also emerged, based on the premise that most politicians have an “east-west coast mentality” that does not favor the southern state.
In New Hampshire, a growing number of conservatives have already pushed for the state to leave the union
Supporters of NHEXIT believe that independence would give them more access to direct democracy
In New Hampshire, more and more conservatives have already called for the state to withdraw from the Union.
Earlier this year, Congressman Jason Gerhard proposed that New Hampshire secede if the national debt exceeded $40 trillion.
Currently worth about $34 trillion, the legislation was ultimately defeated.
Republican Rep. Matthew Santonastaso introduced a separate bill calling for a study to be conducted on the feasibility and impact of NHEXIT.
However, opposition parties warned of further divisions if the secession goes ahead.
“I am very concerned from a political perspective that we are clouding things with insurgent talk,” said Rep. Jess Edwards.
“For me personally, it is very important to emphasize that we are a peaceful movement,” Gericke said.
“The bills that we’ve put forward all state very categorically that this is a peaceful separation of the union if it were to happen. We need to be able to talk about difficult ideas and it shouldn’t lead to violence.”
Gericke said many of her supporters “don’t really feel comfortable with this empire that the US is building.”
“They’re now recruiting the National Guard to go overseas and there’s no more congressional wars being declared. So even something like that, it would be better to keep our National Guard locally in New Hampshire to serve the people of New Hampshire.
The NHEXIT website acknowledges that a “multifaceted approach, including legal, political and diplomatic efforts” is needed to ensure independence
Supporters also say they are unhappy about being dragged into overseas wars and that independence would provide more direct access to democracy.
“We would be richer. There would be less war, there would be less violence. From the perspective of the closer you are to your government, the more responsive it can be to you.”
Whether secession is legally possible remains to be seen. The NHEXIT website acknowledges that it would require a “multifaceted approach, including legal, political and diplomatic efforts. Initially, it would involve a state-wide referendum that would demonstrate the will of the people.”
Similar moves have already failed in Mississippi and South Carolina.
Still, Gericke believes her vision of a free New Hampshire can be achieved within the next decade.
“I’m an eternal optimist. So I say anything is possible,” she explained.
‘People keep saying there’s polarization, but then they also talk about the uni party, right? So which one is it? And the answer was, well, it’s a kind of uni party,
‘There is now a system in place that creates outcomes that are unfavorable to states.
‘Is it possible? I believe it is possible. It may be tomorrow, but in 10 years it is very possible.’