What If Series: What If People Could Select Residency
This is (hopefully at least) the first of a series of posts (possibly better termed as rants, observations, pokes) simply titled: What If?What If was a favorite question by our late Senior Fellow, Paul O'Bryne. In fact, during my last meeting with Paul just outside of Heathrow, Paul was challenging me about my decision to be licensed in Oregon along with my California license? Paul simply asked, "what if I didn't do that?" - Paul was on to something and I continue to reflect upon his What If? ever sense. Dear reader, feel free to use POB's What If? frequently - I will guarantee the answers will be worthwhile.Back to my topic.So, What If? What if we could select our residency? Corporations make these elections all the time. They make them because some states are simply better at administering corporate matters then others (hint Delaware). So why can't people? I mean, what if I think an Armed Society is a Polite Society (aka Arizona) yet the liberal loons of Multnomah County (Portland) fear guns and only want criminals to have them - why can't I elect to apply the laws of Arizona to me, pay the related Arizona costs and requirements (vote for/with Arizona) suffer any negative aspects of Arizona and say become tired of Arizona and change it to Iowa?In case you are confused, let me explain.I live in Oregon - yet what if I like the tax laws, voting rights, constitution, and other governance/citizen related aspects of say North Dakota. Yet, I live in Oregon.What if I was able to file an election with say the North Dakota Office of Residency - and publicly state that I want to be governed by their laws and regulations rather then the laws of where I choose to sleep? In essence, what does where I sleep really have to do with my residency (ok, I know Congress, Census, Infrastructure, Vested Interests, etc. all may have an opinion {but maybe no answers} to this question, but lets consider)?There is precedence for this as referenced above in corporate law and regulations. Why should corporations have rights and privileges not provided citizens?Why not? It is the 21st century. Are we forced to live in a 19th century world view? Back then - it made sense to apply residency to physical location - but today - why not allow it to be an intellectual election rather than a physical requirement.Since we believe incentives matter, maybe such citizenship power would help the various state legislatures understand that governing is more then rubber stamping the proverbial special interests? This could allow states to market their relative skill set(s) and competitive advantages.Providing people a choice is never a bad thing. In fact, it is a good thing. Effectively lets deregulate physical residency from intellectual residency.So, What if?
