The "western states" of 1828 (Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida) struggled with the same issues we face today from the federal government failing to transfer title to their public lands (i.e., poor education funding, stifled economy, restricted access to abundant resources, etc.).  Those 1828 "western states" succeeded in compelling the federal government to transfer title to their public lands.  What did they know that we don't know?  What did they do that we aren't doing?  

These “western” states simply had had enough. They banded together and sent petition after petition, resolution after resolution, and delegation after delegation to Congress. They complained:

·         the federal government was not disposing of the public lands as promised;

·         the states could not tax the federal lands to adequately fund education;

·         they could not grow their economies; because

·         the federal government was hoarding their abundant minerals and natural resources.

This was in 1828! (See here and here.) The "western” states in 1828 knew their public lands history. They knew their rights. They banded together. And, because they refused to take "NO" for an answer, these 1828 "western states" secured their rights and benefits to the timely transfer of their public lands. (See here). Presently, the 1828 "western states" have 3-4% federally controlled lands, while more than 50% of the lands in today's western states are still controlled by the federal government more than 100 years since statehood.

When it comes to today's western states, the federal government has refused to honor the same promise made and kept with all other states east of Colorado. With more than 50% untaxable federal land, today's western states still struggle to adequately fund education (see here), to grow their economies, to generate well-paying jobs so people don't flee their states, and to responsibly access the trillions of dollars in abundant resources locked up in their states by federal control (see here).

This brings us to "The Four Whys":

1.    Why the difference in the treatment of today's western states? (See here.)

2.    Why did the 1828 "western states" succeed in securing control of their public lands promised at statehood? (See here.)

3.    Why does it matter to today's western states and to the nation? (See here.)

4.    Why don't we do something about it?

How to Take Action:

First, please forward this information to everyone you know, post it on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, etc., and encourage your friends to do the same.

Second, as a result of Utah and others in the west beginning to go on the offensive in securing local control of land access, land use, and land ownership, several counties, municipalities, organizations, businesses and individuals have recently come together to form the American Lands Council (ALC), www.americanlandscouncil.org. Click here to get involved in advancing the mission of ALC.

Third, money and manpower will make the difference! Please click here to donate to support this critical initiative as we build "The 1828 Resolve" throughout the western states.