Oregon and California conservatives want to redraw borders to join Trump-loving IDAHO to preserve gun rights and values
“OUTRAGED” conservatives in Oregon and California are bidding to redraw state lines so they can be part of right-leaning Idaho.
Members of the “Greater Idaho” group say they want the voices of certain rural areas to be heard, and “not be drowned out by the large cities and urban areas.”
Oregon resident Mike McCarter, one of the primary petitioners, said in a press release that rural counties have become “increasingly outraged” by laws made by Oregon pols.
“We tried voting those legislators out but rural Oregon is outnumbered and our voices are now ignored,” he said.
“This is our last resort.”
“People here would prefer Idaho’s conservative governance to the progressive/liberal current Oregon governance,” added Valerie Gottschalk, another chief petitioner.
“Every time I look at the Facebook group Greater Idaho, the group has gotten bigger. And our Facebook poll got 84 per cent in favor out of 1,300 polled.”
The “Greater Idaho” group claims to include Democrats, Independents, Libertarians and “non-aligned Americans” as well as Republicans.
Mark Baird told the Washington Post that he plans to join the group because “rural people and rural counties no longer have a voice.”
“I, as an individual, recognize that a rising tide floats all boats. If this turns out to be the shortest route to liberty and representation, I’ll give it a go.”
Greater Idaho is attempting to get 18 counties in Oregon to approve petitions, according to the Washington Post. There are a total of 36 counties in the state.
“Our approach is to go county by county rather than a state initiative,” McCarter said, according to Oregon Live.
“We want people [in the counties that would move to Idaho] to chime in and say, ‘Yes, we want this.’
“It takes more work to go county by county, but it informs the public more.”
Gun-friendly Idaho leaned heavily for Donald Trump in the 2016 general election, with 59 per cent of the vote, compared to 28 per cent for Hillary Clinton.
Recruiting California’s northern counties would be phase two of the plan, McCarter told the Washington Post.
Oregon State Rep. Gary Leif said he put a map of “Greater Idaho” in his office.
“If Portland is trying to divide the state of Oregon, they are doing an excellent job and will provide all the more reasons to make this happen,” Leif told the Washington Post in an email.
“It would be in the best interest to let Portland be Oregon and let us secede to Idaho.”
A relocation of a border would need to be approved by Congress in addition to the two state legislatures.
The last time a significant state border change took place was in 1961 when the line between Minnesota and North Dakota was modified.
McCarter said he understands the odds are against the unconventional proposal, but is worth trying.
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“How often do you have the opportunity to be part of a movement to make things better for people,” he said, according to Oregon Live.
“We are dealing with our liberty.”
Greater Idaho is hoping to get this initiative on the 2020 election ballot.
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