Why are states so red and blue?

riotgrl

I am definitely ready for this election cycle to be over but I found this opinion piece about the geography of political regions in the US interesting. I don't agree with all its assertions but I do find it interesting that he fleshes out why certain political ideologies are clustered in certain areas of the US. For instance, he states that if you know someone's position on gay marriage then you can presume their stance on the military budget and tax hikes. I found much of this to be true of myself but NOT based on my geography. As a resident of KY, I should be a conservative but I am not. Just a geographical perspective that I thought was an interesting take on politics

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/why-are-states-so-red-and-blue/

satansbed

Can I ask if your in an urban area in ky?

riotgrl

Yes, Louisville, which probably accounts for my more liberal views. However, there are counties in KY (Pike County comes to mind) that have a tendency to go Democrat on a regular basis although it is in extreme Eastern KY, in the mountains.

brianlux

Good question. I've pondered that one myself and don't know why.

I'd like to add another (prompted by satansbed's post): Why do a higher percentage of environmentally active people residents reside in urban areas? Which leads to another question that puzzles me greatly: Why do people who live in rural areas generally tend to have less interest in taking care of their property? I know this last question will raise up eyebrows but it's just an observation-- I've lived in cities, suburbs and rural areas and my experience is that the most trashy properties are generally in rural neighborhoods. Both questions seem to lead to the idea that people living in or near cities seem to have more concern for environment. Puzzling.

Prince Of Dorkness

brianlux wrote:

my experience is that the most trashy properties are generally in rural neighborhoods.

I thin that's more about how in an urban environment there are a LOT more people.. it's harder to keep things clean.. it's harder to control litter and vandalism and graffiti. Once it starts, it snowballs. Even just simple sanitation is hard to maintain with millions of people in a small area.

Probably why we value a clean environment more than people who see wide open grassy spaces and forests and clean lakes every day.