Consider this as a clue to how fucked we are as a country.

[Hortensis]

4. Some populations are doing a bit better, but

what you're describing is the human condition. All our faults and behaviors, and virtues, are found everywhere people live.

Btw, humans are born genetically wired somewhere on the liberal-conservative spectrum, then acted on by environment. Don't admire conservative "values"? The more challenging the climate, including notably hot ones, the more conservative people tend to be (and those living at major coastal ports more liberal comparatively). Just look at political world maps to check this out. Maybe a whole new insight into why the Middle East is so relatively "backwards" by our standards and in such a fucked-up mess?

We've always done so well compared to so many areas mostly thanks to our many geographic assets, and to our liberal founders who insisted on an educated and equally privileged populace, not some intrinsic superiority of our people as most conservatives would have it -- as this election so clearly demonstrates.

While you're at it, check the distribution of conservatism right here in the U.S. against a temperature map... One guess what you'll find.