Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The sovereign citizen movement, as much you can call it a movement, is a anti-government, extremist movement whose adherence believe the government is the illegitimate product of a conspiracy that subverted the original lawful government." — Henry Zebrowski
"The concept of the being a Steven Irwin of sovereign citizens is very funny. Because one of the inherent qualities of being a sovereign citizen is having zero charisma." — Ed Larson
"They believe that the Jewish community seek to help Satan. Destroy civilization and undermine white citizens' rights through the Federal Reserve and the IRS." — Ed Larson (referencing Posse Comitatus)
The episode begins by introducing the concept of sovereign citizens, highlighting their anti-government stance and belief that the current US government is illegitimate, having been subverted since 1789. This ideology is traced back to fringe movements and groups like the Posse Comitatus, which harbored anti-Semitic and white supremacist views, and the Christian Identity religion, which posits white people as the true Israelites. The discussion then pivots to the LDS church, exploring how certain fringe elements within the community, particularly the "doomsday prepper" contingent, share a similar distrust of the government and a preoccupation with end-times scenarios.
The hosts and guests delve into the linguistic and legalistic tactics employed by sovereign citizens, such as "paper terrorism" and the manipulation of legal terms, emphasizing their attempts to sidestep common laws like driving regulations and tax obligations. Parallels are drawn between the sovereign citizen movement and the historical narrative of the LDS church, noting how both utilize self-constructed legal and theological frameworks to justify their separation from mainstream society. The conversation touches on the historical roots of these movements, linking them to post-Civil Rights era anxieties and the economic hardships of the 1980s, further radicalized by online communities.
Finally, the episode examines the psychological underpinnings of these ideologies, suggesting that they appeal to individuals seeking control, a sense of superiority, and a community that validates their rejection of societal norms. The discussion highlights how these movements can attract lonely individuals and exploit fears of societal collapse, particularly within the LDS context, where concepts of chosenness and a higher calling can be amplified. The episode concludes by noting the individualistic nature of sovereign citizen beliefs, contrasting them with the communal aspects of organized religion, even in its fringe forms.