by Denise Calaman

Created on: January 05, 2009   Last Updated: September 21, 2009

Seemingly things never change for the outsider driving through the state of Vermont. Scenic views of the Green Mountains and quaint little towns with country stores and white clapboard churches still exist in Vermont. Compared with the fast paced overdevelopment of other states Vermont remains quite charming. Residents enjoy their slow paced way of life. One would expect the people of Vermont to be quite reserved and timid. However; the left leaning residents of Vermont have spoken and their voices continue to get louder. There is a growing movement among the citizens of Vermont. A movement to secede from the Union.

The Second Vermont Republic is a group of Vermont citizens that want to see Vermont become an independent republic. The movement has been growing over the past few years with membership up 5% in 2005 to 13% of citizens in support of secession. The group opposes many actions of the United States government and wants to be free from what it calls government tyranny. According to the group's website they subscribe to the following principles and therefore can sustain themselves as an independent government: Political Independence, Human Scale (remain small), Sustainability, Power Sharing, Economic Solidarity, Equal Opportunity, Tension Reduction, and Mutuality (respect for others). The Second Vermont Republic is a peaceful organization and wants to meet their goal of independence in a non violent, respectful manner. Thomas Naylor, a retired college professor, wrote the group's manifesto, explaining how Vermont could successfully secede from the Union and begin taking care of its residents on its own, using Vermont's own currency, health care system, passports, etc.

Not all Vermont citizens support the idea. Paul Gillies, former Vermont Deputy Secretary of State has been quoted as saying, "It doesn't make economic sense, it doesn't make political sense, it doesn't make historical sense. Other than that, it's a good idea." Secessionist movements aren't new, since the original 13 colonies came together to form what is today the United States, there has been 14 separate attempts made by different states and territories to secede from the Union, the most famous being South Carolina during the Civil War. To date none of these 14 attempts have succeeded. Currently, almost every state in the United States has a group of citizens or a committee exploring their state's ability to secede from the Union. Could Vermont be the first state that is successful in its attempt?

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