Molon Labe! (80 page)

The national average in 1990 was 70/mile5. Thus, the Committee requires a state with half or less than the national average,
i.e.
, 35 or less people per square mile.

States in bold also have a population less than 1M (we include Idaho). There are only 14 states with densities less than half the national average, and all are in the West or MidWest:

We mention the case of Vermont at 61 people/mile5 as a distant possibility, given its third smallest population of just 562,758.

Water/Land Ratio (must be ≥ 0.66%)

The national average is 0.66%, so we will use this as our standard. All of the above six states in bold meet this criterion:

Water/Population Ratio (≥ 0.50 acres/person)

Water is life, and water rights issues will be key in the early half of this century. The national average of water acres/person is 0.65, though that figure is a bit high because of our huge Great Lakes. The Committee considers 0.50 water acres/person to be an acceptable minimum. Six of our top 7 states make the grade:

Alaska is the last outdoors paradise in America, however, living there is arduous. The Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming are quite wet at 1.00-1.71 water acres/person. Idaho squeaks by at 0.52.

Alas, Vermont (already on "probation" because of her high population density) drops out due to low water acreage/person, even though her water/land ratio is a very high 3.81%. Even if we kept Vermont in the running, she would be eliminated later because of her high Democratic voting history (half the counties voted for Gore in 2000).

Contiguous States ("brushfire quotient")

The Committee requires, for relative tax and business climate advantages, that our state border at least 4 other states. Also, such contiguousness will likely enhance the brushfire nature of our political actions.

It is advantageous, though not absolutely necessary, that our state border at least one Canadian province for increased opportunity of imports (legal or not).

Because of her remoteness from the "lower 48" we must remove Alaska from our consideration. While Alaska remains high on any pioneering survivalist's list, we conclude that she is far too isolated to stave off any US invasion or blockade.

Topographical Defensibility

Since the Committee believes US military action to be a likely eventual threat, we must consider topographical defensibility. For example, flat Poland has been overrun numerous times by Russia and/or Germany, yet mountainous Switzerland survived WWII without invasion by Hitler.

At this juncture, we must eliminate mountain-free North and South Dakota, which had remained in very solid running with Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho (the only remaining states).

Idaho offers the most topographical defensibility (
e.g.,
the Bitterroot Range), followed by Montana (
i.e.,
the western half).

Although Wyoming is generally a plains state (hence its name derived from the Delaware Indian term
Mecheweami-ing
, which means "on the great plain"), about 25% of her surface is mountainous. Wyoming also has a mean elevation of 6,700', the second highest after Colorado.

U.S. Land Ownership (must be < 50%)

This affects not only freedom, but property prices.

Political Tenor

Wyoming is more conservative than even Idaho or Montana, with
zero
counties voting for Gore in 2000 (a testimony matched only by Utah and Nebraska). Two-thirds of Wyoming votes Republican, and the state has an entrenched Libertarian Party. (The only liberal enclaves are Jackson, Rock Springs, Laramie, and Cheyenne.) The allowed open carrying of firearms is fairly common throughout the state. Wyoming tied with Montana at 92% for RKBA in
Boston's Gun Bible
.

Idaho is population top-heavy in/around Boise, however, this metro area is not yet as liberal as the Hollywood playground/haven of Ketchum/Sun Valley (the "Aspen" of Idaho). Idaho is very much a libertarian state, which rated 97% (2nd Place) for RKBA in
Boston's Gun Bible
. Northern Idaho (above I-90) attracts many privacy-seeking folks.

Montana has remained an astonishingly "uppity" state to this day. She and Nevada were the only states to openly flout the egregious 55mph national speed limit with speeding tickets of only $5. In the mid-1990s daytime highway speed limits were "Reasonable and Prudent" — which transformed the state's highways into a
de facto
autobahn. Open carry of weapons and no open container laws (shades of Louisiana) combine to create an extremely libertarian climate (with a Boston T. Party RKBA score of 92%). The only liberal enclaves of note are Billings and Helena.

Business Climate

Wyoming is the winner, with excellent incorporation laws and lack of income (personal and corporate), gross receipts, and inventory taxes. Sales tax is just 4%, and fuel tax is only 9¢/gallon. Low property taxes. Aggressively seeks new business.

Social Acceptance

Northern Idaho has somewhat of a reputation for racist behavior, although this has been greatly overblown by the liberal media. (The Aryan Nations has only a few hundred members.)

Montanans and Wyomingans "live and let live," although they do not gracefully brook urbanites who whine that "it isn't like back home."

Election Sweep Possibility

Wyoming offers a near perfect opportunity for our scenario. Every four years (2006, 2010, 2014, etc.) are elected: the House, half the Sentate, the Governor, the Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, some Supreme Court Justices, and all county officials (clerks, treasurers, assessors, coroners, attorneys, sheriffs, DAs, and JPs).

Self-Sufficiency

Energy

Wyoming is the undisputed champion with huge coal production (1st in USA) and bountiful oil and natural gas (6th in USA). 95% of power is generated by low-sulphur coal, and the 5% is produced by the state's 10 hydro-electric plants. Electricity and natural gas prices are among the nation's lowest.

Food

Wyoming is very strong in cattle and sheep, sugar beets, barley, dry beans, beef, corn, and wheat. Wyoming has the largest antelope population, and has ample elk, deer, and fish.

Raw Materials

Over half of Wyoming's economy is based on trona, bentonite, gemstones, wool, hay, and timber.

Industry

More than 5M tourists visit Wyoming each year, spending over $1B. Minerals bring in $3.2B, and agriculture $1.5B.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: WYOMING