A large portion of Eastern Oregon has decided to call it quits; residents want to leave Oregon, while remaining exactly where they are. A movement called “The Greater Idaho Movement” is gaining momentum and could amplify calls for a national divorce.

The Greater Idaho movement website calls for moving the state line dividing Oregon and Idaho, which would move numerous counties currently part of Oregon into the state of Idaho. In the above map, counties that are in Oregon and colored red have already voted to leave Oregon, which shows an overwhelming number of voters are ready to make the change. The website says state lines in America have been moved before and need to be moved again:

Counties can become a part of Idaho. State lines have been relocated many times in American history because it just takes an interstate compact between two state legislatures and the approval of Congress.

If the United States were governed as a single state, we wouldn’t have the opportunity for state governance to vary according to the culture of a local area. The purpose of having state lines is to allow this variance. The Oregon/Idaho line was established 163 years ago and is now outdated. It makes no sense in its current location because it doesn’t match the location of the cultural divide in Oregon. The Oregon/Washington line was updated in 1958. It’s time to move other state lines.

This proposal is different from creating a new state because it does not affect the balance of power in the US Senate. This means that it’s more likely to be approved by the Oregon Legislature.

The website also lists six main reasons why residents would want to change which state they are a part of. Listing American Values as the number one reason. The site says Oregon violates American freedoms and values and that the population in Northwestern Oregon accounts for 79% of the voters, making the leftist portion of Oregon the side driving the state’s political climate.

Another value cited is Law and Order. Oregon currently refuses to enforce the law, allowing criminals to get away with breaking the law while simultaneously infringing on citizens’ gun rights, whereas Idaho enforces the law. Lower Taxes and Safety are also notable reasons listed. Idaho’s government manages wildfires far better than Oregon and has a much lower tax burden than Oregon, according to the movement. In addition, Idaho’s economy has continued to thrive with less regulation, low unemployment rates, and a lower cost of living. Those who currently live in Western Oregon also complain about the lack of representation they have in their state’s Congress.

In order to change the location of the state line, Oregon and Idaho legislatures, along with Congress, would have to all approve the measure. It may be a long shot, but conservatives in many states are tired of having laws dictated to them that only align with the values of large cities and do not represent rural America. New York, Illinois, and Colorado have similar movements taking place, according to the Western Journal.

Many on Twitter are calling for similar action nationwide. As the country becomes increasingly polarized and government systems are weaponized against conservatives, calls for a national divorce between the left and right are intensifying.

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