General Discussion

DFW

(60,236 posts)

145. Very few States are permanently one way or the other

Thu Sep 18, 2014, 03:32 PM

Sep 2014

The current governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania are Republicans. One of the most hated Republican vice-presidents of the 20th century was a former Governor of Maryland. Elizabeth Warren is from Oklahoma. Ann Richards was from Texas. New York, New Hampshire, Maine, Michigan and even California either have or have had Republican governors in the recent past. Kansas, Wyoming, Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri have/had Democratic governors. Hell, George McGovern was from South Dakota, fer Pete's sake. Al Gore is from Tennessee. When I was a kid, my dad used to have a Democratic Senator pal of his out to the house a lot. His name was Frank Church and he was from Idaho.

Things are just too fluid to punch a clock at one moment of history and say, "OK, we are going to divide the whole place up based on how things look at 2:45 PM on next March 24th."

Scotland has been Scotland for the better part of the last millenium. What were we 250 years ago?

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

198 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

If the US had a vote to split into Red America and Blue America, how would you vote? [View all] DanTex Sep 2014 OP

Didn't this happen once before? derby378 Sep 2014 #1

I'm talking about a vote, not a civil war. DanTex Sep 2014 #2

I wonder how much people's reactions to this will be based on where they live el_bryanto Sep 2014 #3

Probably a lot. DanTex Sep 2014 #4

So you didn't really like anybody in Texas? You thought they were all assholes? nt el_bryanto Sep 2014 #11

Umm, what? No. DanTex Sep 2014 #13

But you don't want to be in the same country as them? nt el_bryanto Sep 2014 #14

Nothing personal, it's based on the policies that could be passed if not DanTex Sep 2014 #20

Still - doesn't seem very neighborly. nt el_bryanto Sep 2014 #25

a lot are heaven05 Sep 2014 #70

Yes - and if there's one thing New York is known for - it's Niceness. nt el_bryanto Sep 2014 #77

no it's not heaven05 Sep 2014 #82

So then we should stick together? or balkanize? nt el_bryanto Sep 2014 #83

we're already 'balkanized" heaven05 Sep 2014 #135

I don't think you know what the term balkanization refers to. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #141

well, bryant heaven05 Sep 2014 #148

Harper's Magazine had an article in 1988 about "The Balkanization of America". Manifestor_of_Light Sep 2014 #150

thank you heaven05 Sep 2014 #153

If you're tring to be sarcatic, you're just flat out wrong. HERVEPA Sep 2014 #87

Famous for it. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #89

Still can't figure out whether you're being sarcastic. HERVEPA Sep 2014 #91

More Sarcastic about the whole idea. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #93

OK. HERVEPA Sep 2014 #118

Well, you type angry New Yorker and the videos start piling up on YouTube snooper2 Sep 2014 #119

There are eight million of us. So yeah, there are more angry, nice, indifferent, etc. NYers stevenleser Sep 2014 #126

The little guy was a lot uncomfortable to listen to, Kalidurga Sep 2014 #156

One time when I was in New York (Manhattan), Art_from_Ark Sep 2014 #173

The trumpet player doesn't suck. He blows and he's atrocious. I don't blame the dude for telling.... BlueJazz Sep 2014 #176

You do that New York includes way more land and people than just NYC, right? DeadLetterOffice Sep 2014 #184

Wow. Have you ever been here? DanTex Sep 2014 #92

I don't dislike New Yorkeres. I dislike New Yorkers that think my part of the country is shit. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #94

So why do you want to be in the same union, then? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #103

Some New Yorkers are Assholes. Not all New Yorkers are assholes. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #104

Which ones are assholes? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #106

The ones that want to kick us out of the union. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #107

Lol BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #108

Well yeah - but I'm not trying to kick New York out of the Union. el_bryanto Sep 2014 #109

I'm actually in favor of gradual dissolution BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #111

So, you hate the South in general? Or do you like Southern conservatives? cordelia Sep 2014 #143

One thing that made the Scottish vote possible ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #15

And it was a separate country in the past. The US was not. n/t FSogol Sep 2014 #18

Tell that to Texas tkmorris Sep 2014 #128

Does Texas want to rejoin Mexico? FSogol Sep 2014 #131

I can show you my land grant signed by Anson Jones. Manifestor_of_Light Sep 2014 #151

But only Texans. While folks from Vermont, Hawaii and California/Nevada don't. ieoeja Sep 2014 #159

Right, that's one reason it will probably never happen in the US. DanTex Sep 2014 #23

Yes, that is definitely a show stopper for the US IMO. n/t RKP5637 Sep 2014 #79

I'm afraid WI would go red although it's presented as blue on that map. HereSince1628 Sep 2014 #27

I live in Massachusetts and am wondering why merrily Sep 2014 #160

Underlying current of discontent with the government. BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #168

That's what the right is like when it is proud and fulfilled? merrily Sep 2014 #170

Yeah why wouldn't they be feeling good? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #193

I don't know about the pros in the politics business, but I think the merrily Sep 2014 #198

Boredom. DeadLetterOffice Sep 2014 #183

I'd vote yes. tblue Sep 2014 #5

If it could be done democratically, state by state, without bloodshed, yes. Tierra_y_Libertad Sep 2014 #6

I would do the same. No way would I ever live in a republican hellhole again! n/t RKP5637 Sep 2014 #85

Wasn't it Karl Rove who popularized the idea of "red states" and "blue states" CJCRANE Sep 2014 #7

According to Wikipedia, the terms were coined by Tim Russert in 2000. DanTex Sep 2014 #9

All for it Blue_Adept Sep 2014 #8

I'd vote "no" if for no other reason than I live in a red state. Coventina Sep 2014 #10

Assume a sort of Schengen Area agreement. Chan790 Sep 2014 #21

Well....I just landed a tenure-track faculty position where I am...are we assuming I'd get the same? Coventina Sep 2014 #28

Yeah, if this happens, I wouldn't envy professors stuck in red state faculty positions. DanTex Sep 2014 #43

Congrats ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #45

Thanks. I know how incredibly lucky I am, and how many qualified people also applied. Coventina Sep 2014 #117

Does your institution have the 30-30-30 rule for tenure? ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #121

No, it's a community college so it's more like 75% teaching and 25% service Coventina Sep 2014 #181

My Mom taught at a Community College ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #185

Thanks! It's been a long process, and I know how lucky I am! Coventina Sep 2014 #188

At my Mom's 90th birthday party ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #191

Amen! I am proud to be a product of the CC system, and, while I have taught at the university level Coventina Sep 2014 #197

I don't know...but we have lots of universities... Chan790 Sep 2014 #46

People tend to forget... Whiskeytide Sep 2014 #12

I'm not denying that at all. DanTex Sep 2014 #16

This n/t Blaukraut Sep 2014 #26

Agree! The republicans throughout history have dragged the US down with ignorance, RKP5637 Sep 2014 #90

+1 Dems to Win Sep 2014 #101

Right on! Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #158

Just remember that a lot of those "blue" states Art_from_Ark Sep 2014 #186

Arizonan, nodding his head, here. eom 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2014 #19

There are no "Blue" states either. former9thward Sep 2014 #22

Termites. Your state has them or will have them. Eleanors38 Sep 2014 #84

I for one would vote to stay in the Union. If I lost I would be a sore loser. gordianot Sep 2014 #17

There was no vote in the Civil War. former9thward Sep 2014 #30

There was some voting during the Civil War for Secession. gordianot Sep 2014 #64

I prefer to think of it as us allowing the South to vote to expel themselves. Chan790 Sep 2014 #38

Being in a red state I would resist and end up dead, I would have considerable company. gordianot Sep 2014 #74

They wouldn't fail BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #75

No. Iggo Sep 2014 #24

No erpowers Sep 2014 #29

Oh, good! Another divisive us vs them post cordelia Sep 2014 #31

How is this divisive? DanTex Sep 2014 #33

How is it not? cordelia Sep 2014 #35

Well, because I don't see how it is. I think if you're making the accusation, you should support it DanTex Sep 2014 #41

Read the responses in this thread to your hypothetical question and explain cordelia Sep 2014 #63

Again, you're making the accusation, you back it up. DanTex Sep 2014 #65

The responses in this thread prove that it's an us vs them type of question. cordelia Sep 2014 #80

Your map is ridiculous marions ghost Sep 2014 #32

The map is based on state-wide results of presidential elections. DanTex Sep 2014 #37

The map I posted is also based on election results marions ghost Sep 2014 #51

We do have arbitrary lines BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #60

Look at Scotland's representation in Parliament marions ghost Sep 2014 #68

Well BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #73

OK marions ghost Sep 2014 #98

The american experiment is already a failure, though? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #100

"Acknowledging failure..." marions ghost Sep 2014 #110

Very few people acknowledge failure BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #113

I don't do too much wishfulness these days marions ghost Sep 2014 #122

Turning failure into success? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #127

You may be right marions ghost Sep 2014 #140

It's not that simple. Hugabear Sep 2014 #162

Well BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #165

Thank you oldandhappy Sep 2014 #133

Yeah much more informative.... marions ghost Sep 2014 #136

It's a serious question, but obviously it isn't going to happen? Dreamer Tatum Sep 2014 #34

Yes, a serious question, you know, like "do you support single payer healthcare?" DanTex Sep 2014 #39

Single payer will happen. Splitting up the country won't. nt Dreamer Tatum Sep 2014 #44

I doubt it. Still, the point is, I don't see a problem discussing hypotheticals. DanTex Sep 2014 #48

Why stop at two? The2ndWheel Sep 2014 #36

That's a good question. DanTex Sep 2014 #40

You should read a book titled "the Nine Nations of North America" whathehell Sep 2014 #56

A newer book is "Better Off without 'Em" by Chuck Thompson. It is serious and Nay Sep 2014 #102

Interesting..Is his opinion that the US should separate by region or whathehell Sep 2014 #180

He has several ideas about how to divide up the states, but basically it is Nay Sep 2014 #189

It sounds good.. whathehell Sep 2014 #194

I would vote No, Dan. bravenak Sep 2014 #42

Were it similar to the Scottish vote hifiguy Sep 2014 #47

I'd vote NO. We're all in this together. Heck I think we should coordinate more with other countries pampango Sep 2014 #49

We barely cooperate as it is BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #67

Since WWII I think Europeans have believed that our neighbor's problems are our problems. pampango Sep 2014 #96

Potentially BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #99

More attempts to divide, divide, divide, woo me with science Sep 2014 #50

Thank you! marions ghost Sep 2014 #53

Sadly BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #72

I'd vote for independence for California taught_me_patience Sep 2014 #52

Vote to split it. Faux pas Sep 2014 #54

They would just double down BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #59

Yes, they would, and I'm frankly in favor of them getting what they say Nay Sep 2014 #105

Yep I don't understand Faux pas Sep 2014 #138

I'd vote for California to be independent. Xithras Sep 2014 #55

Vote to dissolve the union? BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #57

Don't kid yourself sadoldgirl Sep 2014 #58

Not sure BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #62

Their state governments, and their representatives and senators Mariana Sep 2014 #172

I'd vote yes Liberalynn Sep 2014 #61

I'd vote yes for the same reason except I live in Illinois so I'd make the IL Republicans move Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #163

No rock Sep 2014 #66

Unlikely BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #76

There is no viable plan to split it into two...not based on Red/Blue, antway. Drunken Irishman Sep 2014 #69

A constitutional amendment allowing states a secession vote would do it. BillZBubb Sep 2014 #114

I think the split has to be geographically equitable... grasswire Sep 2014 #71

They get to have Colorado and New Mexico, so it's a fair trade Blaukraut Sep 2014 #78

The reason you can have such stark sections carved out is gerrymandering KittyWampus Sep 2014 #81

In the end, everbody retires to Florida! Eleanors38 Sep 2014 #86

Give it 10 years Texas will be purple too - TBF Sep 2014 #88

"No" brooklynite Sep 2014 #95

Just say NO to Balkanization 0rganism Sep 2014 #97

My devious side thinks a yes vote would be wonderful... BillZBubb Sep 2014 #112

Eh, yeah I guess BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #115

I wouldn't mind a blue side union with Canada. It would give us single payer. Louisiana1976 Sep 2014 #164

and a lot more... BillZBubb Sep 2014 #179

I would like to not have to fight the idiot ideas that come out of conservative leaders adigal Sep 2014 #116

Well... BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #120

Always, everything, for THE UNION! eom MohRokTah Sep 2014 #123

I'm sick of red state morons having undue influence Arugula Latte Sep 2014 #124

No d_r Sep 2014 #125

I'd probably vote No. But I would have to consider it, particularly since... stevenleser Sep 2014 #129

Against, the monster of any majority Boom Sound 416 Sep 2014 #130

I believe a number of science fiction stories have been based on the idea of a Balkanized US LongTomH Sep 2014 #132

The map doesn't tell the whole story though. ZombieHorde Sep 2014 #134

I would vote no. Blue_In_AK Sep 2014 #137

I cannot fathom how it would work. CanonRay Sep 2014 #139

hell yeah Doctor_J Sep 2014 #142

Yes AngryAmish Sep 2014 #144

Very few States are permanently one way or the other DFW Sep 2014 #145

Against. D voters are typically numerous in cities in both the red and blue areas Corruption Inc Sep 2014 #146

I'm in purple Florida!! Can we split into N. Florida and S. Florida? Sancho Sep 2014 #147

I want California, Oregon, and Washington to secede and form a nation. Zorra Sep 2014 #149

There's a book about that split -- it's called Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach. It's Nay Sep 2014 #190

Yes, thanks. Zorra Sep 2014 #195

Still waiting! I know! I still hold that book's theme as my ideal society, frankly. If Nay Sep 2014 #196

BlueState, elleng Sep 2014 #152

I'd love for the Pacific NW to branch off... liberalmuse Sep 2014 #154

For only one thing, what happens if a state or group of states switches? merrily Sep 2014 #155

I'd vote No because.. Matrosov Sep 2014 #157

Cascadia! HuckleB Sep 2014 #161

Cascadia sounds nice BlindTiresias Sep 2014 #166

I live in a Blue State (CT). I don't what to split into colored states (nt) bigwillq Sep 2014 #167

The racial demographics would be interesting. Captain Stern Sep 2014 #169

If one went by congressional districts, this is what the nations would look like Kaleva Sep 2014 #171

The red half would probably return to slavery. moondust Sep 2014 #174

if we really wanted to split like that, it would really be cities vs not-cities. not state vs state. La Lioness Priyanka Sep 2014 #175

The point is scottland should be a US wake up call as it seems like we are "united" in name only PFunk Sep 2014 #177

So the country could even be more divided? Rex Sep 2014 #178

Either way, I'd be on the front lines, so no win situation. politicat Sep 2014 #182

Good question. I honestly don't know. NaturalHigh Sep 2014 #187

yes. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #192