Idaho Has a Superb Climate For the FSP[/color][/b][/size] - By Exitus...
Frequently it is argued that Idaho is at a disadvantage in comparison to other states because it has the highest population. However, the population in Idaho is a positive due to the high propensity of the Idaho electorate to be persuaded by libertarian arguments, consider the following:
- In the academic journal, American Journal of Political Science, "Measuring Citizen and Government Ideology in the American States (http://forum.freestateproject.org/index.php?board=5;action=display;threadid=1213;start=msg16503)" by Berry, William D., et. al, the average composite score of state citizens' ideology, as measured by comparing percentage of votes cast in elections to campaign ratings, Idaho ranks 1st on this objective measure of libertarian affinity.
- Ever since the RLC (http://www.republicanliberty.org/libdex/index.htm) began measuring the roll call votes of U.S. congressional leaders, Idaho's record reveals that it has consistently sent either the best or near-best group (http://forum.freestateproject.org/index.php?action=display;board=5;threadid=247;start=120#msg20644) of freedom-motivated representatives to D.C. and this has actually trended significantly upwards (http://www.republicanliberty.org/libdex/LI_Lookup.asp) lately despite dynamic increases in population! In fact, Idaho was the only candidate state besides Vermont to have a representative in Washington vote and campaign against the Patriot Act. Through the years, Idaho has sent brave leaders to Washington who knew how to say no. Democrat Frank Church (http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWcia.htm) held a pivotal role investigating the CIA and Congressman George Hansen (http://forum.freestateproject.org/index.php?board=5;action=display;threadid=1553;start=msg21413#msg21413) stood up to the IRS valiantly (http://www.constitution.org/ghansen/hansen9-97.html) several times throughout his career.
- Idaho consistently has a high percentage (http://www.lp.org/campaigns/results/highlights.php?type=percentbystate) of Libertarian Party (http://www.lpidaho.org/index.php) votes; the highest percentage of total votes for all Libertarians among states for which we have complete data; and indisputably the highest actual number of people willing to vote for LP candidates. Idaho compares most favorably in regards to the LP on yet another measure, Idaho is in a unique situation unlike any other state, where the LP is not only a third party, it has risen to second party status with complete major party status and even a statewide primary where Democrats (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces98/stories/west103198.htm) struggle (http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a38ca690a49df.htm) to (http://proliberty.com/observer/prt0297b.htm) even field candidates (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-10-28-gop-west-1acover_x.htm), as in the last race for secretary of state (http://www.idsos.state.id.us/ELECT/results/2002/general/tot_stwd.htm), where the LP garnered 86,437 votes.
- More examples that demonstrate the potential of Idaho's population:
-The lowest levels of public aid/ welfare use in the nation (http://www.stateline.org/fact_map.do?factId=121)
-The lowest level of offering financial incentives to attract and retain businesses in the entire nation (http://www.utahtaxpayers.org/members/newslet/4body.htm)
-The lowest per-pupil spending on public education of any of our candidate states (http://www.idahostatesman.com/Common/PrintMe.asp?ID=30309)
-The highest number of patents issued per capita (http://www.idoc.state.id.us/Data/economic/high.html)
-A very active home-schooling movement (http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschooling/regional/Idaho.htm) which is, in practice, as free as the most free homeschooling states in the nation (http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/ID.asp).
Additionally, when weighing Idaho's population, consider :
-According to the 2000 census (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/16000.html), 32% of Idaho's population was 19 or younger, and 23.4% are 14 and younger, many of whom have not formed political opinions yet!
-when you consider the number of registered voters and voter turn-out (http://www.freestateproject.org/analysis.htm), the real electorate of Idaho shrinks to a size only larger than Montana.
-Idaho's conservative label actually reflects Old West libertarian tradition, brothels remained legal (http://www.uctaa.org/Essays/med6/med120.html) in Idaho until the '70s and remained open many years afterwards (http://www.jesuscrusades.org/page55brothels_closed.htm). Voters also rejected an initiative (http://www.idsos.state.id.us/elect/rsltgn94.htm) to define homosexuality in a way that gays disapproved of.
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