Posted on Sep 3, 2023
Secession: Why some in Oregon want to become part of Idaho
2.82K
7
3
2
2
0
Mike McCarter knows his American history almost as well as he knows his Bible. His family has lived and worshipped in Oregon for four generations. "The only time I lived out of the state was during the Vietnam War when I was in the military," he said.
But his Oregon may not be the Oregon you're thinking of, the one with the misty rugged coastline, pinot noir wineries, and its loyally Blue politics.
McCarter lives in the town of La Pine, in the state's rural and more sparsely populated part – the Red side of Oregon.
"It's almost like the Grand Canyon goes right along the Cascade Range," he told correspondent Lee Cowan. "It is a big divide."
What that means politically, he says, is that the Blue part of Western Oregon always outweighs the Eastern part's Red. "In talking to a legislator over in the Portland area, I said, 'The legislature doesn't listen to our people, our representatives over here.' He said, 'Whoa whoa whoa, stop, Mike. We hear what they're staying. We just out-vote you.'"
But his Oregon may not be the Oregon you're thinking of, the one with the misty rugged coastline, pinot noir wineries, and its loyally Blue politics.
McCarter lives in the town of La Pine, in the state's rural and more sparsely populated part – the Red side of Oregon.
"It's almost like the Grand Canyon goes right along the Cascade Range," he told correspondent Lee Cowan. "It is a big divide."
What that means politically, he says, is that the Blue part of Western Oregon always outweighs the Eastern part's Red. "In talking to a legislator over in the Portland area, I said, 'The legislature doesn't listen to our people, our representatives over here.' He said, 'Whoa whoa whoa, stop, Mike. We hear what they're staying. We just out-vote you.'"
Secession: Why some in Oregon want to become part of Idaho
Posted from cbsnews.com
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
Posted >1 y ago
By the way, most of the complaints we heard from the conservative's were regarding taxes. They use and enjoy the infrastructure the state provides, but resent paying their share for it.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Posted >1 y ago
When I moved to the Rogue River Valley in 1960, we heard the same thing. Living in eastern Washington state, in the '90's. the same, except they wanted to include that area also. There was a push to form a new state combining eastern Wash. and Oregon with part of northern Idaho and call it "Jefferson."
Yes, each state should listen to ALL of their citizens, but I never support secession of any type.
Yes, each state should listen to ALL of their citizens, but I never support secession of any type.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Read This Next

Voting
Republicans
Democrats
