Alernate Parallel Americas

[saavedra77]

The Washington Post is running a series this week on how politically polarized the U.S. has become. As the series' author comments, this polarization has reached the point at which Americans living in so-called "Red" states (a.k.a. Bush country) and "Blue" states (a.k.a, "anyone but Bush" country) sometimes appear to live in parallel but vastly different universes.

Monday's story focuses on the views of people in "Red"-state America. For those of us who've spent our whole lives in "Blue" zones like the Northeast or West Coast, this article provides some pretty pithy insights about how the "other half" sees the world. Rather than just focusing on poll numbers, the story delves into the lives of a family living in a heavily conservative Texas community.

Tuesday’s story portrays the lives & views of a "Blue" family in San Francisco.

See also the helpful, graphic state-by-state breakdown of "Red," "Blue," & swing states.

Comments

[saavedra77.livejournal.com]

My sense was that the worst thing Britton Stein can say about anybody is that they're a "whiner" or "weak': he doesn't want his country to be "weak"; can't believe people complaining about their chronic, work-related injuries. On the other hand, he feels absolutely entitled to cheap hedge clippers, low taxes, etc. In other words, "don't bother me with your problems."

"Don't bother me" also seems to translate into "I don't want to think about it"--& this applies to both of the Steins: Patrice's practically shudders at the thought of thought:

"Where do they get the information that leads to their morals?" Patrice wonders about people who don't go to church.

People thinking for themselves--my God, what could it lead to ...?