Red-State To Move Its Border – Democrats Kicked OUT

The “Greater Idaho” movement is gaining momentum with the goal of releasing conservative counties from destructive policies and Democratic control virtually guaranteed by residents of the more populous leftist areas closer to the coast, like Mayor Ted Wheeler’s crime-ridden Portland.

Measure 7-86 asked, “Should we support efforts to shift the Idaho border over Crook County?” The question was posed to the voters in Crook County this week.

The majority expressed support for joining their conservative peers in the Gem State and shifting the state border westward.

In the State Voters’ Pamphlet, opponents of the initiative falsely claimed that joining Idaho with 7-86 would pose challenges.

In contrast to Oregon, Idaho is pro-life, has a lower sales tax, is slower to register voters, prohibits poker machines, has no state-sponsored healthcare, and newly registered Idaho citizens will have to pay the “out of state fees” for activities like fishing, hunting, and camping on the Oregon coast.
In addition to losing voters, Oregon may lose congressional seats.

Alternatively, as put forth by LaPine-based firearms instructor Mike McCarter, president of Citizens for Greater Idaho, “There is a way to have a better government for central and eastern Oregon.” Drawn 165 years ago, the border between Oregon and Idaho no longer aligns with the line separating the counties, favoring Oregonian and Idahoan forms of government.

McCarter continued by stating that the people of Crook County would have more representation in Idaho, where “lawmakers from rural districts, who rule according to the needs and goals of rural counties,” control the state legislature.

McCarter emphasized that the alternative would be to continue living under the control of Oregon politicians who “do not comprehend how we make a living.” Previously, McCarter’s organization asserted that “just 25% of Oregonians registered to vote are Republicans.” Their choices hurt the farming, ranching, mining, logging, and trucking industries.”

“Where to turn when your government doesn’t listen to redress requests?”

Congresswoman Barbara Ehardt (R) of Idaho stated to CNN recently that “people should have the opportunity to seek redress from their government” in accordance with the Constitution.

“Where do you turn when your government doesn’t listen to you when you seek redress?” she inquired. “The next best thing would be us, as we were the ones seeking justice.”

In the voters’ brochure, Matt McCaw, the executive director of Greater Idaho, made a similar suggestion: “A fundamental tenet of the United States is the freedom to select our own government. This is why we hold elections for public office, redraw elections every 10 years, and have an initiative system that allows citizens to put issues directly on the ballot. All of these systems aim to generate government that people want and that stays to their values.”

Eastside Oregonians, McCaw continued, “receive a constant onslaught of policies foisted on us that we do not like and do not reflect our community or values.” We also have much less political power and little say in our state government.

By voting “yes” on ballot measure 7-86, it appears that 53.44% of Crook County voters cared more about having a political voice again than they did about abortion rights, automatic election registration, sales taxes, and slot machines. June will mark the vote’s certification.

McCaw stated in a statement that “the voters of the eastern part of Oregon have had their say and clearly about their wish to see border talks go forward.” “We demand that the legislature start holding hearings on what a future border adjustment might look like and that the governor, speaker of the House, and president of the Senate meet with us to discuss the next steps toward transforming government for eastern Oregonians.”

“These votes indicate to us that they want their leaders to redraw the boundary. It is time for the leaders who speak for the people in our system to act accordingly, as they are the ones in power,” McCarter stated.

Greater Idaho said that if Portland-based organizations had not been funding the opposition effort, the “yes” vote would have probably been more significant.