So how does this end well? I mean, really?

[2naSalit]

116. Perhaps you might

consider the significance of those areas compared to that of the northern Rockies. Looking at a map of the continent is helpful at this point... one that shows the rivers and perhaps the public lands designations too. Notice that all those forests and National Parks along the Pacific Ocean are of a particular watershed... all the snow and rain that falls there drains back into the Pacific Ocean. Yes, it's nice that there are national forests and parks in those states but the eastern portions of those states depend on the water from the northern Rockies' watershed for the majority of their water. Ask yourself;

Where does the Columbia/Snake River complex originate?

And for the southern end of the Pacific coastal region, where does the Colorado River originate?

And then there's the eastern side of the Rockies' watershed... that goes all the way to the Mississippi River and all that part of the plains depend on the Red states for their water Platte River Aquifer, Oglalla Aquifer, Platte River, Arkansas River, Missouri River... they're all in Red states and most originate or are replenished by way of the Rocky Mountains. The farthest detectable origin of the Missouri is about six miles from where I sit right now, the other headwaters are in Yellowstone NP down the road a bit. The Snake River origins are partially within view from my window in the east side of the cabin I live in... I live just below the continental divide where the grizzly bears are (there are none in CA, OR and WA btw).

So yeah, you've got some nice forests and parks over there with trees and ferns and such but when you start to look and see where water for about a third or more of the lower 48 comes from, it's right here in the Rockies. It's too bad that these states have the misfortune of wild-eyed Rs running the show here but that can change with education and emigration to some degree.

Sorry if I ruffled your feathers but the reality is pretty much as I have described.