Staff Reports
Rural Oregonians are sending out a heartfelt SOS to President-elect Donald Trump, hoping he’ll take on a border conundrum that has yet to make its way onto his radar. The Greater Idaho movement is pleading for Trump’s intervention in a conversation about shifting the state line between Idaho and Oregon to the east. This ambitious plan aims to integrate the agricultural wonders of Eastern Oregon—an area boasting vast farmland but lacking a significant population—into the Gem State.
As the Greater Idaho folks wrestle with bureaucratic gridlock, the Idaho Legislature has shown some enthusiasm for the idea, while their counterparts in Oregon have responded with the classic government maneuver: silence. This begs the question—how many times can a state government effectively ignore its constituents before they start packing their bags for a new state? Apparently, 27 out of 36 counties in Oregon broke the voting trends by supporting Trump during the recent election. Yet, despite clear grassroots backing, the political elite in Salem seem to be tapping their “ignore” button like it’s their favorite playlist.
The leaders of this movement extol Trump’s practical problem-solving skills, suggesting that his involvement could turn the tide and resolve Oregon’s long-standing regional rift. They promised him a legacy as a peacemaker, which sounds appealing in theory, but one has to wonder whether moving state lines actually gets included in presidential history books. Regardless, reminders of a rural population feeling like they’re at the mercy of progressives who dominate Salem’s decision-making are echoing louder than ever.
Recent developments show that frustration is bubbling over in Eastern Oregon, where residents feel trapped in a political system that dismisses their voices. The region encompasses over 60% of Oregon’s landscape but only houses about 9% of its population—a neat trick of progressive overreach that leaves rural concerns unheard and unrepresented. While there have been efforts to sway public opinion and propose changes, a lack of response from Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, hasn’t helped their cause. Newsflash: ignoring voters rarely leads to happy constituents.
Greater Idaho urges Trump to help solve Oregon-Idaho border impasse – https://t.co/dKkcYtp2p2 – @washtimes @twthigherground #IDleg #ORleg #Portland
— Valerie Richardson (@ValRichardson17) December 4, 2024
Meanwhile, neighboring Idaho is extending an olive branch, with Republican Governor Brad Little taking a supportive stance on the matter. As Eastern Oregonians push for discussions, the difference in state leadership couldn’t be clearer: one side eager to listen and engage, while the other prefers to remain ensconced in bureaucratic indifference. It seems that the eastern counties will keep shouting into the void until someone finally hears them—or perhaps a friendly president might just decide to help bridge the gap between these two neighboring states, thus cementing his own “greatness” in the annals of American history.
