Another alternative to fleeing to Canada, which just makes it more likely that the most powerful nation on the planet will continue to be dominated by dunderhead presidents, is to go on the offense.
Look, part of the reason that the Republicans are dominant politically is that they numerically dominate a number of states that are small in population: Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming. Each of these states gets two Senators and two extra electoral votes, even though they’re small in population. Thanks to this, the Republicans win presidential elections and dominate the Senate.
So one solution to the problem of Republican dominance is to move to a red state in massive, organized fashion. Look at the populations and vote margins of the sparse red states:
| State: | 2003 Population: | Margin of Bush Victory 2004: |
| Wyoming | 501,242 | 96,509 |
| North Dakota | 633,837 | 85,300 |
| Alaska | 648,818 | 65,812 |
| South Dakota | 764,309 | 83,300 |
| Montana | 917,621 | 92,110 |
If we could get 100,000 or fewer people to commit to moving to one of these places, then BINGO! Two more Senators and two more electoral votes in each election. That sounds like a lot, but it’s not really in the context of a nation of 280,000,000 people.
What do you think? Would you do this?
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If you lived in those places you would probably start to agree with their politics. There’s a reason for them.
What reason? The gays are particularly slimy in Wyoming?
I Do live in one of those states and am not influenced by their close mindedness in any way thank you very much!
Come to North Carolina! We’re a friendly, growing swing state. You will enjoy the peaceful beauty of our mountains and coastline surrounded by close-minded and conservative churchgoers as well as the hussle and bussle Charlotte, the largest city in the Carolinas, where you can satisfy most of your cosmopolitan needs without waiting in long lines. We’ll welcome you with open arms, when you’re ready to be a liberal in a red state.
I would consider moving to anyone of those states. There is a libertarian group, I believe associated with the Free Republic; that is already organizing a similar venture and have signed up large numbers of people who have committed to move by a certain year. I havn’t checked in on it in awhile, obviously, but I believe one of their choices was Vermont.
Besides this direct benefit, there would be many other benefits of such a plan, cost of living is lower, land costs are lower, but jobs would be a concern. Unless people chose a certain region or town within the state to locate, the significant population boost would help create jobs for other latecomers; and eventually get self sustaining. Just as Boulder, Colorado or Marquette Michigan has high liberal appeal within a conservative area, the selected town could be advertised as a “liberal paradise”.
Thinking it through just a bit further, it would be a good idea to choose one city for additional reasons. The local political offices could be won to enact more progressive ideas that work, giving people experience and credibility to work at the State level; and having an immediate impact as well as increasing the chances for presidential elections.