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Oregon State Issue

Should state #borders be redrawn so that the more rural counties of Oregon become part of Idaho?

Score for this "Yes" opinion :
Score is TBD

"#People of rural Oregon deserve to be heard" Jul 15, 2024

For many years, there have been discussions in rural Oregon about the borders being redrawn. Some rural counties of Oregon that are adjacent to Idaho desire to join the state of Idaho. The demand for joining Idaho is a practical remedy for all reservations of rural areas. The borders should be redrawn by annexing the rural counties into Idaho, as they have many similarities. 

Differences have always been prevalent between the urban population of Oregon and its rural counties that desire to be part of Idaho. There are considerable differences based on political ideology, economy, sentiments, and culture. All these factors are enough to justify the border changes by incorporating Oregon's rural counties into conservative Idaho.

The majority of the population of Oregon lives in the northwest region, which is urbanized and mainly supports the Democratic party. Whereas the rural counties like Union, Jefferson, Douglas, Josephine, and Umatilla are Republican supporters. The people of these rural counties always feel unheard at the state's center due to their political minority. 

The policies and agenda of the state are often in line with the aspirations of Urban Oregon rather than rural or whole. Mike McCarter, one of the leaders of 'Move Oregon Border' group, has said, "We've watched the shift take place in Oregon politics where the primary concern of the Legislature is Northwest Oregon. That's where 78% of the state's population is based. They tend to forget that every law that you pass in the state affects us out in the rural economies, too." No one should go unheard and sidelined. It is imperative to accommodate the whims and wishes of rural people as well. 

Apart from similar political aspirations, the rural counties have many other things similar to Idaho rather than Oregon. For instance, their rural values, conservative mindset, timber industries, and agriculture engagements. All of these alignments suggest that it is more practical for them to be part of Idaho rather than be bonded with Oregon in an unhappy marriage. 

Moving state lines is not an unrealistic or impractical idea. The constitution of the U.S clearly mentions the scope, possibilities, and procedure of drawing lines between the states in article 4, section 3. The constitution of our country acknowledges such measures, therefore if a substantial number of people demand the change of their state and there are no geographical challenges, they should be accommodated. 

If border changes can occur between South and North Carolina just for the sake of 19 houses, then why can't it be for the thousands of people within several counties of Oregon that have been knocking on Idaho's door for the past several years? If the people of these counties desire to be with Idaho and the majority of their people favor redrawing the border, then it should not be delayed.

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